Over in Knightsbridge the multi-million pound renovation of The Franklin Hotel has come to an end with the hotel reopening today. The property was closed for a year while it was done up by new owners the Italian group Starhotels, who brought in Anouska Hempel to oversee the new-look.
The 35 room hotel overlooking Egerton Gardens now has a restaurant with a well known Italian chef in charge. Alfredo Russo is best known for his Turin restaurant Dolce Stil Novo - he also has a restaurant, Vivaldi, in Dubai. We're still waiting to take a look at the menu, but we're told Russo will be taking classic dishes from Italy and giving them his own unique take. So carre di agnello, for example, will come with a liquorice foam and the traditionally rich Zuppetta di pesche will be super light for diet-conscious Londoners.
There's also a Champagne and Martini Bar overlooking the gardens where at 6pm every night they're promising a display of champagne sabrage (essentially hacking open a bottle of champagne using a sword).
The Franklin Hotel is at 22-28 Egerton Gardens, London SW3 2DB. Keep up with their news on Twitter @Hotel_Franklin
