St Pancras Renaissance Hotel, London

There are plenty of bars, restaurants and shops nearby in Kings Cross; Coal Drops Yard, Granary Square and the canal side are a five-minute walk.

You can't beat this location for easy transport links across the country and beyond, with mainline services and Eurostar on the doorstep, as well as the rest of London with the convergence of several tube lines.

By car: around 2 hours from Brighton, 2 hours 30 minutes from Bristol and Birmingham, and 4 hours from Manchester. Paid on-site parking available.

By train: King's Cross, St Pancras and Euston stations are a five-minute walk away. Book trains to London.

Sir George Gilbert Scott fashioned the neo-Gothic façade for the Midland Grand Hotel in 1873, which still remains. Inside, you'll fine architectural splendour amidst the Victorian gothic design, including gothic revival metalwork, gold-leaf ceilings, hand-stencilled wall designs and a grand staircase.

Staff are friendly and helpful throughout, from the check-in staff who are fonts of local knowledge, to the waiters who will enthuse about the creative cocktails. Amongst the facilities is a subterranean spa with treatment rooms and a thermal suite.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Terrace
• Swimming pool
• Gym
• Spa
• Pet-friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms in the Barlow Wing have a more mid-century feel to the furnishings, with gothic arched windows. Suites in the Chamber Wing have dramatic cathedral-high ceilings, fireplaces and floor-to-ceiling windows.

Room types: Deluxe, Superior, Premier Rooms; Junior, Grand Junior, Sir John Betjeman, Sir George Gilbert Scott, Haywood, Grand Staircase, Queen Victoria, Royal Suites

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom, luxury bathrobes and slippers, hairdryer, tea and coffee-making facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

The exquisite Booking Office Restaurant has ornate windows and palm trees. Choose from tapas-style dishes if you are focusing on the cocktail menu, or plump for a three-course meal including oysters and steak au poivre. The lightly cured salmon served with fried potato was delicate and delicious.

Booking Office 1869: modern European cuisine and sashimi. Open Tue-Sat 4pm-12am. Mains from £18.

Roof Garden St. Pancras: botanical-themed, barbecue and pizzas. Open for dinner.