Hotel: Courthouse Hotel Kempinski

Address: 19-21 Great Marlborough Street, London, W1F 7Hl

Website: courthouse-hotel.com

TraveLife Ranking: Three and a Half Stars

Rooms: 116, ranging from standard rooms to luxury suites.

Room rates: $600 up to $5,300 for the Penthouse Suite

Highlights: The Courthouse Hotel is located in what was the Great Marlborough Street Magistrate’s Court and is a Grade II listed historic building. You can enjoy a drink in what was once a jail cell -- where Mick Jagger and Keith Richards awaited their turn in court -- or have a fine dining experience in Courtroom Number 1, now Silk restaurant. It was here in 1895 that Oscar Wilde’s infamous criminal libel case against the Marquess of Queensbury began, and in 1963 Christine Keeler, in court over sex allegations, made revelations that led to the Profumo scandal.

History: The Great Marlborough Street Magistrate's Court was the scene of many famous cases over the years, which were either heard there or taken to full trial at Crown Courts, such as the Old Bailey. John Lennon's sensational court case regarding the sale of sexually explicit lithograph drawings was thrown out on a technicality in 1970, and Mick Jagger spent time here defending his name when it was alleged he was caught in possession of cannabis, along with Marianne Faithful. Keith Richards received a £205 fine here in 1973 for possession of marijuana, heroin and mandrax, as well as a Smith and Wesson revolver and an antique shotgun, both held without a licence. Many remnants of this time have been incorporated into the hotel. Original Robert Adams fireplaces adorn some of the suites, and The Bar's private tables are actually inside three of the original prison cells. Silk, the hotel’s restaurant, is the old Number One court where the judge’s bench and witness stand remain in the dark wood-paneled room. Elsewhere in the hotel, glimpses of the building’s former use can be seen -- such as the iron bars that separate the lobby lounge from the Bar. In 1835, Charles Dickens worked as a reporter there for the Morning Chronicle, and in 1847 Napoleon, between attempts to establish a second empire in France, was a witness in a fraud case.

Interior highlights: Arriving at the Courthouse Hotel is an arresting experience, where uniformed men take your bags and escort you to the check-in desk. The lobby looks like an upscale courthouse, with the Waiting Room used as an informal restaurant, where breakfast, lunch and tea are served. The Bar is one of the most interesting rooms, converted from the jail cells. Three have been preserved as “private” rooms.

In the next room: Located in the heart of London’s bustling shopping and theatre districts, don’t be surprised if you run into local resident Gwyneth Paltrow or Elton John, especially while shopping on Bond Street. Also spotted nearby have been Patrick Stewart, Jude Law and the Material Girl herself, Madonna.

The rooms: The hotel has 116 rooms, ranging from standard -- TraveLife was impressed with the size of the standard rooms -- to the delightful Lalique Suite. All rooms have marble bathrooms and king-size beds. In-room facilities include a range of satellite and cable channels, wireless high-speed data port for laptop connectivity and web mail, flat-screen LCD TVs, entertainment systems, a DVD library, daily newspapers, 24-hour room service and a private butler upon request.

Amenities: The Sanook Spa is becoming well-known for its Thai treatments. Sanook in Thai means “enjoy yourself,” and that seems to be the motto of the facility. The symbol for Sanook is a graphic representation of praying hands that also looks like a flame on the top of a candle, two elements that are very important in treatments at the spa -- hands represent comfort and pampering and the candle is a symbol of relaxation, warmth and pampering. The spa also features a swimming pool and a fully-equipped gym. For those wishing to enjoy the pool without actually getting in, the spa has a glass treatment room suspended over the pool, where you can enjoy the calming influence of the water, which is one of the key elements of Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to help achieve harmony.

Restaurants: The hotel features four eating establishments, and its fine dining restaurant, Silk, has become a destination among the London society crowd. Silk is the architectural focal point of the ground floor. Having been converted from the old Number One court, it features a huge vaulted glass ceiling and is framed by the original English Oak paneling. The judge’s bench, dock and witness stand have been kept in their original setting. The menu takes the diner down the historic silk route, through Italy, the Middle East and Asia, providing exemplary dishes from the different cuisines with a la carte and tasting menus, as well as the “Silk” (chef's choice) menu. The Waiting Room restaurant has a colonial feel with palm trees in the centre of the room, shading the terrazzo floor from the natural light coming in from the vaulted glass ceiling. In its previous life, this room was used by those waiting to go before the judge, and has retained its original name. It is open for breakfast, afternoon teas, coffee and desserts every day except Sunday. The Carnaby is situated in the original, listed building with a separate entrance on Great Marlborough Street. Its light, modern décor refreshes the senses and its brasserie style food satisfies the soul. The dishes on offer range from light Italian bites and breads, to more robust protein-rich salads and fish dishes. Ideal for pre- and post-theatre dinners. TraveLife had a wonderful meal there before a west-end production. It is open every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as for brunch at weekends. The arresting impression of The Bar is immediate with its stylish design and attention to detail. The walls are covered in stone, and the floors in contrasting black Indian mica slate. The room features low leather seating, a black, cream and copper color scheme and an elegantly elongated bar. In addition, The Bar is home to the last three remaining prison cells in the building, which have been turned into private rooms, each seating 6-8 people. The bar serves a range of light dishes including canapés and paninis, along with a wide range of spirits, cocktails and juices.

Shopping: Only the very best London has to offer is right on the doorstep of this landmark hotel, which is set in the heart of the city’s bustling shopping and theatre districts. Liberty’s department store is right across the street, as is Carnaby Street. A short walk takes you to designer row: Bond, Regent and Oxford Streets! London’s high-end stores are all a stroll away, including Debenhams, Fortnum and Mason, John Lewis and Selfridges. No trip to London would be complete without a visit to Harrods and Harvey Nichols, which are both close by. If bargain shopping is your thing, London isn’t the place to be.

Close By In a word: Everything. An easy walk along RegentStreet will take you to Piccadilly Circus and just about any west-end theatre. From there, Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, The National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery (TraveLife had a wonderful lunch in their restaurant), Westminster and the Cabinet War Rooms (a must-see) are all in your backyard.

Tips: Bring your walking shoes -- there’s a lot to see in London and you won’t want to miss any of it -- and your credit card because you won’t be able to resist buying at least one luxury item for yourself and your loved ones . . . even if it’s only a £30 pair of Burberry socks or a £49 set of Thomas Pink cufflinks. Nothing makes you feel better than walking Bond Street with a shopping bag that says “I can afford this!”