Middle Eight, Covent Garden, London

An ideal base to explore Holborn and Covent Garden, with Shaftesbury Avenue a short walk away. If you're looking for restaurants in Covent Garden, try Cora Pearl on Henrietta Street. The Royal Opera House is also very near and well worth a visit.

Middle Eight is on Great Queen Street, next to the grand-looking Freemasons' Hall (and the Museum of Freemasonry).

By car: around 2 hours from Brighton, 2 hours 30 minutes from Bristol and 4 hours from Manchester. Paid parking available nearby.

By train: Holborn tube station is a 2-minute walk. London Waterloo station is a five-minute taxi ride. Book trains to London.

The design is very nature-themed - hence the metallic sycamore leaves - and the split-level public spaces add to the feel of openness. There's a young, vibrant feel to the hotel, which is reflected in its design and lack of pretension.

Service is unobtrusive and friendly, as you might expect from a modern hotel. There's a well-equipped gym on site with a trainer available if needed. To relax, we loved the Balcony with its music and London-themed books.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Gym
• Family-friendly
• Pet-friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms and suites come in five categories. Designed in neutral colours, facilities include Sonus speakers, Nespresso machines and even a cocktail-making kit. The lovely bathrooms have black-slate flooring.

Room types: Cosy Pad, Classic Chic, Urban Deluxe, Superior Street, Executive Style, Suite

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, bathrobe and slippers, tea and coffee-makinf facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

Sycamore features an open kitchen and a good northern Italian-themed menu (think hand-rolled pasta) and an adventurous range of Italian wines and beers. The restaurant adjoins the lively bar, while the Balcony also serves afternoon tea. We loved the tip-top breakfasts and the nasello alla griglia (grilled hake, beetroot, radish, watercress) was delicious - but definitely try one of the pasta dishes too! There's a speakeasy-style music bar, QT, in the basement.

Sycamore Vino Cucina: Italian cuisine. Open daily for breakfast and lunch, Mon-Sat for dinner and weekends for brunch. Mains from £18.