Last summer Five Star Alliance did a big push to make sure people were aware of the popular £ for $ rate, and once again many of the London hotel's are including it in their special offers. The Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments in London's fashionable Mayfair district is continuing the program through the city's busiest travel period. The rate represents a substantial savings of more than 40% on the hotel’s most popular room categories. Add that to the hotel's August offer of guaranteed upgrades for travelers booking their stay during the month of August, and you really are getting a deal. Guests booking a traditional guest-room get bumped to an executive, booking an executive guest-room gets you a park-view and any category of suite (park-view or studio) gets you one of the Classic British Collection apartments (see below). Under the £ for $ rate – valid weekdays as well as weekends -- a traditional guestroom that usually cost £295 is now $295; an executive guestroom costing £350 is now $350; a Parkview room costing £395 is now $395; and suites that usually are £500 are now $500. These special rates are subject to availability, based on double occupancy and exclusive of taxes. To get this deal, make sure your rate description includes the term "Pound for Dollar Rate" or something similar.

Classic British Collection -- This collection of 19 apartments are designed in a classically British style with plush furnishings, traditional wall-coverings and fabric from British interior design stalwarts such as Colefax and Fowler, Osbourne & Little and Nina Campbell.

P.S. The image above is of the brand spankin new Athenaeum Hotel and Apartments logo. What do you think?