Michelin Rates Restaurants in London Hotels Among the Best in the World

Gone are the days when eating at a hotel restaurant was a second rate experience, now you'll find some of the city's best restaurants within London hotels. If you love good food, there is a superb selection of restaurants in London hotels that have each been awarded one, two or even three Michelin stars. Stay at a London hotel with a Michelin starred restaurant to sample some of the best cuisine.

Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester Awarded Three Michelin Stars

In 2010 Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester became one of just four restaurants in Britain, and the only hotel restaurant in London, to be awarded a rare and prestigious three Michelin stars. Offering contemporary French cuisine in an elegant setting, the restaurant has a stunning centrepiece, The Table Lumire. This magical table seats six guests and is surrounded by 4,500 shimmering fibre optic cables!

New Michelin Stars Awarded to Restaurants in London Hotels

This year, three hotel restaurants in London were awarded their first Michelin star:

* Galvin at Windows has become one of the most talked about London restaurants since it opened in 2006. Located on the 28th floor of the London Hilton Hotel on Park Lane, the restaurant offers some of the best views in London from its huge floor to ceiling windows.

* Following a successful re-launch by renowned Italian chef Heinz Beck, Apsleys at The Lanesborough has joined the exclusive selection of Michelin-starred restaurants in London hotels. Ideally situated right opposite Hyde Park, The Lanesborough is a luxurious hotel with an ornate style. Apsleys serves light and delicate Italian food, which is complemented by an extensive wine list featuring some very rare vintages.

* Further afield in Richmond, The Bingham Hotel on Thames is a beautiful Georgian hotel nestled right on the banks of London's river Thames. The hotel now also boasts a Michelin-starred restaurant, serving the very best of British food by acclaimed chef Shay Cooper. Bingham Restaurant is chic and opulent, with seating for 40 diners inside and a further 20 on the heated balcony when the weather allows. Huge windows make the most of the restaurant's stunning riverside location.

London Hotel Restaurants Maintain their Michelin Stars

Michelin stars are awarded annually, and chefs have to work hard to retain them, maintaining the high standards that helped them win the award in the first place. The London hotel restaurants that kept their stars in 2010 are:

Two Michelin Stars

* Marcus Wareing at the Berkeley

One Michelin Star

* Helene Darroze at the Connaught

* Nahm at the Halkin

* Nobu at the Metropolitan

* Rhodes W1 at the Cumberland Hotel

About The Michelin Guide

The Michelin Guide star rating system rewards restaurants for the quality of their food and service, which is assessed annually by a team of undercover inspectors. Stars are only awarded to a small number of restaurants of outstanding quality, and stars can be removed if these high standards are not maintained each year.

There are currently nine London hotels that have Michelin-starred restaurants. Stars are awarded according to the following criteria:

* One star. A very good restaurant in its category

* Two star. Excellent cooking, worth a detour

* Three star. Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey