From the moment you step off the train at Waterloo, you get caught up in the hustle and bustle of central London.

Busy, exclusive Knightsbridge, popular with tourists and designer label lovers alike, is no exception.

So walking through the doors at The Capital Hotel, situated in a quieter side street, in view of Harrods, is a breath of fresh air. This small, family-run hotel and apartments is elegant, unique, and quintessentially British, offering a warm welcome and five-star service.

One of the last remaining family-owned and managed five-star hotels in London, The Capital is just minutes from Hyde Park, the V&A and the Natural History Museum.

There are a host of independent bars, restaurants, boutiques and beauty salons within walking distance, making this an ideal location whether it’s a shopping, foodie, cultural or pampering break you’re after.

The friendly concierge takes us up to our deluxe double room, situated, he explains, in the older part of the townhouse building, and accessed via a stunningly ornate staircase.

In fact, the decor throughout the hotel is stylish and traditional, while also managing to tick the sophisticated and elegant boxes. Dark wood furniture is coupled with oil paintings in gold-coloured frames, while thick, heavy curtains are matched with velvet-upholstered armchairs in jewel tones.

Our spacious room, explains the concierge, is one of several featuring Ralph Lauren denim on the walls.

A complementary pot of coffee is brought up to our room while we unpack, a service available at any time of the day, which serves to make us feel completely at home.

Leaving the cosy comfort and calm of the hotel behind, we step out into the heart of Knightsbridge to explore.

Harrods (referred to as “the corner shop”, by staff at The Capital), is literally one minute’s walk away, while Harvey Nichols is a little further – two minutes. As we wander along the busy Brompton Road, it’s clear Knightsbridge is a buzzing location. Coffee shops, patisseries and bistros are dotted between designer and high end High Street shops and traditional pubs.

Returning to the hotel to freshen up before dinner, we are met with another warm welcome and, when I commented it was a bit chilly outside, were instantly offered another warming drink in our room. I took full advantage of our decadent stylish bathroom to get ready for the evening, delighting in the relaxing bath salts and fluffy white robe while my husband relaxed on the comfy bed with the TV remote.

There are a host of nearby restaurants listed in the hotel guide, with knowledgeable concierge Clive on hand to make suggestions, but we decided to explore ourselves, stumbling on a hidden gem of an Italian down a side-street. Ciro’s Pizza Pomodoro, which also has branches in LA and Abu-Dhabi, is tucked away in a basement, but the smell of fresh cooking tempted us and we were seated in a corner table, right next to a tiny stage.

Our waitress told us we were lucky to get a table, as Sunday evening was the busiest night. By 9pm it was standing room only, largely due to the Spanish/ Iranian duo taking centre stage.

Fresh, home-cooked pizzas, combined with that kind of music to which you just can’t keep still, and the friendly atmosphere of the little restaurant made for an unexpectedly lively evening.

Next morning, we tucked into a traditional full English breakfast at the hotel before nipping to the “corner shop”, for a browse, gaping in disbelief at the wonders of the food hall and longingly (on my part) at the designer shoes and handbags.

Deciding to be real tourists for the day, we hopped on the tube and enjoyed a tour around Madame Tussauds, before popping into a souvenir shop to buy presents for the children.

After a day wandering around the capital, it was a relief to return to the haven of The Capital for another relax and freshen-up before our much-anticipated dinner at the hotel’s own restaurant, Outlaws at The Capital.

The eaterie is the first London Michelin starred restaurant of award-winning chef Nathan Outlaw, boasting an ever changing array of unique dishes using British seafood caught predominantly around the coast of Cornwall.

We enjoyed a very different but simply delicious meal of cod and hazelnuts and lamb neck and sweetbreads, followed by toasted coconut sorbet, passion fruit ice cream and a cheese board plate, accompanied by a bottle of the hotel’s own Levin Sauvignon Blanc, made at hotelier David Levin’s winery in the Loire Valley.

After another heavenly night’s sleep we were all too soon on our way home.

Whoever thought a break in central London could be so relaxing?

Getaway

For reservations: 020 7591 1200 (capitalhotel.co.uk) Emma Joseph was a guest of The Capital, Knightsbridge.

A family summer holiday rate is from £950 for two nights for a family of four with breakfast and lunch plus a guided tour of the V&A. Double room rates are from £350 including VAT.

All prices are subject to availability and based on two sharing a room.