There is no hotel in the world quite like Claridge's. A byword for luxury, exclusivity and grandeur, it has, from its inception in 1812, showcased the finest traditions of British hospitality while continually demonstrating a flair for innovation and renewal. For generations of crowned heads, power brokers and celebrities, it has been the best - indeed, the only - place to stay in London. Few would dispute its right to be considered the Queen of Hotels and Hotel of Kings.

In this comprehensive, lively and superbly readable account, Martin Williams invites readers to check in at the world's most storied hotel and immerse themselves in the colourful history of a London landmark. He evokes the glamour, excitement and drama of each chapter in Claridge's unfolding story while taking us behind the scenes to explain how and why it has become, for all who know and love it, both a legend and a way of life.