The Zetter Townhouse, Clerkenwell, London

This is a trendy 'local' area of London where you won't rub shoulders with many tourists - it's the hinterland between the West End and Shoreditch. Farringdon station is a five-minute walk, and Sadlers Wells Theatre is ten minutes away. Acclaimed restaurant Moro is close by on pedestrianised Exmouth market, and the jewellery shops of Hatton Garden are nearby too.

By car: the hotel is 4 hours 20 mins from Manchester, 2 hours 45 mins from Birmingham and 1 hour 30 mins from Cambridge.

By train: Farringdon station is seven minutes' walk away with connections to Brighton and Bedford. Liverpool Street is a 15-minute taxi ride away. Book trains to London.

Discover maximalist interiors behind a smart Georgian facade - you arrive into a crowded living room of inviting sofas and chairs camouflaged against hand-painted walls and a delightful jumble of oil paintings, pottery, antiques, taxidermy and shelves of leather-bound books. You'll either love it or hate it.

Check-in is at a dresser in the ground-floor living room; there's no actual reception area but staff are available 24 hours. Service is friendly, and laundry and dry cleaning is avaibale at a cost. The upnbeat bar staff will readily enthuse about the cocktails.

• Bar
• Lounge
• Air conditioning
• Free Wi-Fi

• Bar
• Lounge
• Family-friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms match the period theme of the communal areas but are a little more pared-back, with antique wooden beds, damask drapes and marble baths. Marshall speakers have Bluetooth and minibars are stocked with bottles from the East London Liquor Company.

Room types: Deluxe Double, Deluxe King, Junior Suite, The Apartment

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, desk, TV, free Wi-Fi

Tasty light bites are served up to accompany the inventive cocktails, which are really the star of the show. Sample the Pina Colada Royale, made with coconut and pineapple infused rum mixed with champagne. Breakfast is brought across in the morning from the neighbouring Zetter Hotel.

Wilhemina's Lounge: drinks, cocktails, small plates. Open Tues-Weds 7.30am-11.30pm, Thurs-Fri 7.30am-midnight, Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 8am-6pm. Dishes from £7.50.

Afternoon tea: served weekends 12-4pm. From £39.50pp.