The Red Lion, Mayfair, W1

A run-down pub in Central London has found a new lease of life as a super-luxury home after receiving a total renovation and makeover. The Red Lion, in Mayfair, shut down in 2009 and was sold to developers, who demolished the whole building apart from its facade. Now it has been converted into a five-bedroom family home and has gone on the market for £25million.

Tucked away at the bottom of Waverton Street, you are not likely to pass the Red Lion by accident. But it is a decent pub, even if the ales on offer are the usual suspects you expect to find in a Spirit Group pub. The staff have always been very friendly whenever I have been in there and the food in the restaurant is good. Expensive - but good. It is most certainly a real pub (rather than just a bar) and in my view is a hidden gem. Highly recommended.

CLOSED according to the London Drinker (07/10/08)

Very nice pub, been there a couple of times over the years but it still takes a while to find it. Sells real ale, 5 taps all working. Has a restaurant area. If you sitting at the tables just inside the door looking towards the bar, you may get the impression that you have had enough to drink. Don't worry, the lager taps are leaning over to the left and the matches shelf behind is leaning to the right. Well worth a visit.