In one of Britain’s most elite hotels: MailOnline’s SAMANTHA LEWIS stays in one of Claridge’s ‘surprisingly large’ new suites – and gets pampered in the stunning new underground spa

“Is this all for me?” I gasped. I am staying at Claridge’s luxury hotel in London and have just walked into my suite for the first time.

On the eighth floor, The Mews Pavilion — incredibly large and seemingly mine for the night — is one of the hotel’s new additions. It’s only been open for two months.

Designed by interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan, the decor is a patchwork of soft furnishings and Art Deco flourishes. Geometric mirrors, undulating sofas and hanging lamps are all reminiscent of the 1920s.

Designed by interior designer Bryan O’Sullivan, the suite’s decor is a “patchwork of rich furnishings and Art Deco flourishes.”

The bedroom is calm and elegant with its soft oyster white and gold color scheme. It has a plush king-size bed and the most luxurious walk-in closet.

It comes to life in the living room, where artwork and theater rugs provide splashes of color. It’s a bit of a hodgepodge for my taste, but who’s to complain when it comes complete with a dining table, grand piano and cocktail bar.

Incredibly, the view over the Mayfair rooftops spans the length of the suite, which is approximately 190 square meters.

Upstairs is the suite’s sitting room, furnished with a dining table, grand piano and cocktail bar

Samantha discovers that the view over the Mayfair rooftops runs the length of the suite

LEFT: An example of bedroom details that “date from the 1920s”. RIGHT: The suite’s scalloped couch

LEFT: Samantha’s bedroom, which she says “feels calm and elegant.” RIGHT: The “luxury” walk-in closet

What do you do with all this space? Pour yourself a glass of complimentary Laurent Perrier champagne and walk around feeling a little overwhelmed.

Aside from the size of the suite, the other thing that floor me is the private steam room in the bathroom. I didn’t even notice it at first because it’s obscured by a secret arch that opens into a beautiful marble spectacle.

But that will have to wait as I have to visit Claridge’s first basement pool and spa – a literally groundbreaking project that saw crews excavate five floors of London Adobe.

Samantha discovers a “secret” arched door in the bathroom (left photo) that leads to a beautiful private steam room (right photo).

LEFT: The Art Deco style geometric mirrors in the master bathroom. RIGHT: A photo of the guest bathroom

The space is noticeably inspired by Japanese spa rituals: guests are given kimonos to change into, and each treatment begins with a welcome ceremony. Quiet corners, on the other hand, are decorated with objects facing east, such as books on shinrin-yoku (forest bathing).

There are two signature treatments to choose from – the Bamboo & Syritual and the Body Detox & Sculpt – as well as offerings from house brands such as Josh Wood, Augustinus Bader and FaceGym.

I try FaceGym’s Signature Sculpt treatment, which is designed to work the more than 40 muscles in your face. My therapist uses a squeeze technique and some serious high-tech tools to strengthen and tone. The results are immediately visible: fewer bags under the eyes and razor-sharp cheekbones.

Realm of Relaxation: Upstairs is Claridge’s first ever swimming pool, located in the new basement spa

LEFT: The spa changing room where kimonos are provided for guests to change into. RIGHT: The tranquil entrance to the spa

Later, admiring the effects in the mirror, I reflect on the number of wonderful people who have been thrown through the revolving door in Claridge’s 200+ year history. Names like Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn.

I follow their footsteps into the iconic checkerboard lobby, the hotel’s beating heart. My evening starts with a snack (fancy KFC-style fried chicken) in the sweltering Fumoir Bar, then to The Foyer. This all-day dining restaurant is best known for one dish: the Lobster Wellington.

My guest and I can’t help but feast on this eye-catcher that arrives at our table on a silver plate. It’s a whole juicy lobster wrapped in batter, served with sauteed zucchini and decadent truffle fry.

Samantha visits the “sleazy” Fumoir Bar (pictured) for an aperitif

The Foyer (above) is an all-day dining restaurant known for its flagship Lobster Wellington, Samantha reveals

LEFT: Samantha’s “Fancy KFC Style Fried Chicken.” RIGHT: The spectacular Lobster Wellington

Lobster Wellington is served with salted zucchini and decadent truffle fry (left). On the right in the photo is Samantha’s perfectly baked French Toast that she enjoys for breakfast

For dessert, Samantha and her guest order a vanilla mille-feuille (left) and a “deep chocolate” mousse (right)

Pudding is a deep chocolate mousse with buckwheat praline and a vanilla mille feuille with caramel sauce. At this point in the meal, I realize the only thing missing here is someone to roll you into bed.

Amazingly, I still manage to pull off two thick slices of perfectly baked French toast the next morning. Breakfast is served in The Foyer or you can have it delivered to your room (my ultimate travel indulgence).

All in all, it’s no wonder that famous Hollywood icon Spencer Tracy said, “When I die, I don’t want to go to heaven.” I want to go to Claridge’s.

Famous guys who checked into Claridge’s include Elizabeth Taylor, Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. Double rooms start from £750 per night