Malmaison Hotel

For a weekend break in the capital,
Malmaison London is the perfect base. Located in trendy Clerkenwell,
the hotel is close enough to all the top sights and shops but far
away enough to make you feel like you can escape all the crowds.

The impressive Victorian red brick
building on Charterhouse Square used to be nurses’ quarters for
nearby hospitals, but has been transformed into a boutique hotel with
typical Malmaison touches.

The 91 rooms ooze comfort and luxury —
think deep carpets, luxurious fabrics and classy fixtures and
fittings. All rooms come with flat-screen TV, CD player, mood
lighting and fun mini-bar treats, and there are toiletries in the
bathroom.

The public areas are pretty cool, too,
with mood lighting and beautiful people hanging out at the bar and in
the lounge area. The food in the subterranean brasserie was top-notch
with excellent service, food and wine — ideal for a romantic meal
for two.

There are a couple of private dining
rooms for those looking for the perfect party venue. And for those
who really want to splash out, there’s the Veuve Cliquot Champagne
Bar, where you can sip some bubbly while watching the world go by.