The Bailey's Hotel, Kensington, London

The shops of Fulham Road, King's Road and Knightsbridge are not far away, as is Kensington Gardens. Museums close by include the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, V&A and the terrific Design museum.

The Bailey's Hotel is on busy Gloucester Road - and right by the Underground station too. It's in a great position to explore the city on foot, or by public transport.

By car: over an hour from Oxford, 2 hours 30 minutes from Birmingham and 4 hours from Manchester. On-site parking costs £50 per day.

By train: Gloucester Road tube station is a 1-minute walk. Paddington and Victoria stations are a 15-minute taxi ride. Book trains to London.

This grand-looking establishment was opened by James Bailey, a butler turned hotelier, in 1876 and the Grade II-listed building retains its Victorian features, such as the stained glass windows and original spiral staircase. Now a boutique hotel, there's also a contemporary feel with each floor denoting a quintessentially English theme.

The Bailey's Hotel is located in the same building as the Millennium Conference Centre and the Millennium Gloucester Hotel - although they are both separate entities. There's a small gym with cardio equipment and exercise bikes.

• Restaurants
• Bar
• Terrace
• Gym
• Family-friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

There are seven types of room and suite - all of which reflect the understated elegance of the rest of the hotel. Rooms reflect the theme of each floor (for example, the Henley Regatta or the Botanical Gardens). Marble bathrooms have either showers or shower/baths.

Room types: Cosy, Classic, Deluxe, Luxury, Luxury Family, Studio Suite, Signature Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities, desk and chair, free Wi-Fi

The bright Bugis Street Brasserie takes its name from a street in Singapore, and has wooden flooring, chandeliers and large arched windows, specialising in Pan-Asian cuisine. We recommend the seafood ho-fun and the dim sum selection. The hotel does a lovely afternoon tea, and be sure to try a Martini or a Manhattan in the wood-panelled Bailey's Bar.

Bugis Street Brasserie: Pan-Asian cuisine. Open daily 12-10pm. Mains from £16.

Bombay Brasserie: Indian fine dining. Open daily for dinner. Mains from £17.