Review of Barons Hotel, by Chloe Loyd

It's hard not to click your heels and pretend you're in a black and white heist movie when you waltz into Barons. Housed in an old bank, Barons has retained its former glory and been redesigned as a boutique hotel with a late 1930s theme.

The facilities

Though only 34 rooms, the facilities and large public areas are those of a larger hotel. Large old style leather armchairs set around small rounded coffee tables in the large reception area give the hotel a jaded lived in feel. It's hard to believe the hotel only opened in 2003. The renowned restaurant pulls in a lively crowd lending a bustle and hum to the vast former banking hall.

Another fresh pine sauna and steam room are for general use in the basement. One old bank safe is now a luggage holder, another is more effectively used as a private drawing room equipped with a notorious wine and cigar cabinet. Where better to sip on that sought after post dinner cognac and suck that awaited cigar than in the comfort of a leather sofa in a former bank safe.

The rooms

The pre-war cage like elevator rattles you up to your room (you may prefer to take the sweeping spiral oak staircase). The 34 rooms are large, and yes, 1930s, functional but comfortable and equipped with a large desk and chairs. The black and white tiled bathrooms are spacious and pristine. The junior suite has a triangular shower and kept the original decorated ceiling. Two suites boast their own private saunas, one with a jacuzzi bath.