Despite the grim economic outlook, London’s enjoying an unprecedented boom in luxury hotel launches that will see thousands of lavish new rooms opening over the next two years.

The Standard’s front page reports at least 13 high-end hotels are scheduled to open by 2025, many from world-renowned operators launching in the capital for the first time, while others get major refurbishments to tempt elite customers from their cash.

It comes as the £1.1 billion Peninsula London near Hyde Park Corner prepares to open its doors, with the starting price at £1,300-a-night - but does that include breakfast?

The Peninsula will be followed by the £1.5 billion Raffles London, which has been built in Whitehall’s cavernous former War Office building, rebranded Raffles London at The Owo,

The Leader podcast is joined by Evening Standard business editor Jonathan Prynn and John O’Ceallaigh, founder of luxury travel consultancy Lute.

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