Moneypenny

As a person who would rather have a martini than exercise, it takes extra good service to get me into a gym at all, let alone on a regular basis. But Michael and the team make it all the pain and indignity of exercise worthwhile - encouraging without false perkiness and always interested in you and your progress. There is a good range of classes (Tim's spin class is a killer in a good way and try Caroline's pump class to get you feeling like a superhero), and the staff are terrific. Almost makes you like a gym.

Andy and Angie are masters of the floral arts, creating beautiful, elegant arrangements without a hint of twee or tacky. And their service is brilliant - personal and warm, they'll do anything for you. No bride would ever be a bridezilla with these guys at the floral wheel.

The original Norton St grocer has perfected the Italian grocer on a large scale. The range of fruit and vegetables is large and the quality excellent. The deli is great, and best of all, the team there are very happy to make recommendations - and each recommendation is accompanied by an invitation to taste the product. Well worth asking for recipe tips and suggestions about what's in season, or what might work in something you're planning to make. And it's a great place to practise your Italian.

This hair salon is a great city salon, doing good cuts and colours and not charging like wounded bulls - which for a city salon is something. As well as being open on weekends, they are open during the week after hours, which makes it easy to head there after work and blackberry while you have your hair done. How's that for efficiency?

This is an integrated general practice which has both GPs and alternative health practitioners, such as naturopath, osteopath and remedial massage. The treatments are excellent, and there is a full range of supplements by prescription available.

A very good medical practice with a range of excellent doctors and health pratitioners over three sites - but it still feels like a small family practice. They look after you well and only suggest those tests and follow up visits that you really need.

Claudia and her team are some of the best beauty therapists around. They use Sothy's products, which are gentle on the skin, have an extensive range of treatment options (including great spray tans that don't make you look like a rotisserie chicken) and the salon facilities are relaxing and scrupulously clean. But it's the service that really makes a difference - attentive, knowledgeable and never, ever pushy. Keep reading »

Baby's Got Style is aptly named - but it could probably also be named Baby Shower Inspiration Rescue or Convenient Baby Gifts for Last-Minute Dash to Hospital. They have an excellent range of high quality gifts and clothes for babies, with a sensibility that's a little bit quirky while still remaining stylish and practical. Their customer service is second to none - friendly, helpful and efficient. They are my first choice go-to store (and I don't have to leave my house !) for baby gifts and are a godsend for time-poor shoppers who nonetheless loathe tacky garish pastel baby stuff. Keep reading »