Inside London's first billion-pound hotel: The Mail checks in to The Peninsula. Here's what it's like, from the 25m pool to the breathtaking views and a 'ridiculous' £5,500-a-night suite

When I heard that the first-ever UK Peninsula was to be built by one of Britain's busiest roundabouts, mild shock was my response. Above is the Lobby Pictured above is the hotel's 'stunning' subterranean 25m pool, which is lined with intricate mosaics Peninsula owner Sir Michael Kadoorie searched for 35 years for the perfect address for his first hotel on British soil and decided that 1 Grosvenor Place, amid the finery of Belgravia, was it Plus, 350-acre Hyde Park is on the doorstep, while Knightsbridge and its glittering shops, from Harvey Nichols to Harrods, is a 10-minute walk away. Brooklands Bar - 'an exquisite homage design-wise to racing and aviation, with sumptuous leather banquettes, a bar that echoes the curves of a Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost and lighting embellished by a dazzling crystal chandelier representing the turbines of a Rolls-Royce jet engine' Claude Bosi's two-Michelin-star restaurant, which is located on the eighth floor, opposite the bar Sir Michael's love of aviation and automobiles is overtly referenced in various spots. The most 'gracious' entrance is 'via the zen-esque inner courtyard, which contains two 120-year-old Japanese maple trees' Wellington Arch, which the Household Cavalry passes through during the Changing of the Guard, forms part of the view from the hotel Peninsula London's 'perfect' breakfast pastries The following day, it's breakfast in the lobby – a space that's filled with light thanks to triple-height windows, with fluted columns lending an air of magnificence. Guests are insulated from traffic noise 'by glass seemingly thick enough to withstand re-entry into Earth's orbit' The hotel's 'glorious private cinema', where Ted and his family enjoyed a screening of Elf Grand: Both entrances are guarded by enormous stone lions and feature huge revolving doors Beneath a Hyde-Park-Kensington-Gardens-inspired mural by de Gournay we enjoy exquisite sandwiches, scones and indulgent, finely crafted desserts.