Hyatt Place London City East, London

Stay where the City of London meets the East End, next to Aldgate East station. Saunter down to Brick Lane's vintage shops or grab a bite to eat in trendy Spitalfields; buzzing Shoreditch is a 15-minute walk. Check out nearby The Whitechapel Gallery for a culture fix.

By car: the hotel is 4 hours from Manchester, 2 hours 30 mins from Birmingham and 7 hours from Glasgow. Public parking is available from £4 per hour.

By train: Liverpool Street Station is 15 minutes' walk away. Kings Cross and Euston stations are around 30 minutes away in a taxi. Book trains to London.

The hotel has commissioned several artists to adorn the public spaces; well-known street artist Jay Kaes has spray-painted a mural in the basement reception. Plants and flowers make for fun botanical installations, while teal and ochre colours pop throughout.

Staff here are friendly, and check-in is quick. At breakfast, serving staff are happy to chat to guests about their plans for exploring the city. Facilities are limited, but there's a fitness area.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Terrace
• Fitness centre
• Public parking
• Free Wi-Fi

Calm, minimal rooms have pops of colour, through a sofa or chair or a painting on the wall. All have a dedicated workspace, smart TV and tea and coffee-making facilities. Bathrooms are small with showers. Some floors are pet-friendly.

Room types: King, Twin, King with sofa bed, King with balcony, King with terrace

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, hairdryer, dedicated workspace, TV, sofa, free Wi-Fi

Pocketsquare serves expertly-crafted seasonal cocktails, offered with a paired "bite". Pepys Gold - a nod to the history of the great fire of London - comes with Lincolnshire Poacher smoked cheese and tequila-infused chutney, while Royal Navy-inspired Sedition is served with a tempura oyster with ponzu dressing.

Zoom East: sicilian, arabian-italian cuisine. Open daily 12-10pm.

Pocketsquare: rooftop bar, drinks and cocktails. Open Mon-Wed 5pm-midnight and Thu-Sat 3pm-midnight.