Les Ambassadeurs

Known affectionately as Les A, this Hamilton Place mansion is one of the most recognisable symbols of Mayfair gaming at its most refined. The view from the main gaming room over Hyde Park is unique among London's casino addresses – no other establishment in the capital can offer you a game of Baccarat with the park laid out below you like a private garden.

The building was comprehensively refurbished following its acquisition by Landing International Development and now presents an interior of considerable grandeur. The walled garden and al fresco dining terrace are genuinely exceptional, and the smoking terrace – equipped with heat lamps, wall-mounted screens and an impressive cigar menu – has become something of a legend among regular visitors.

Membership is required, though the standards and the service on offer more than justify the formality. The salle privee with its own private dining room remains one of the most extraordinary facilities available at any casino in Europe. If you want to understand why Mayfair's casinos have always attracted the world's most demanding players, an evening at Les A will answer the question comprehensively.