Soho Hotel, London, United Kingdom

The guest list at the Soho Hotel reads like the line-up at a Hollywood awards ceremony. Every inch of this sleek London boutique hotel has been intricately designed; no inch of it has been overlooked; down to the smallest detail, including the trademark dressmaker's dummy in each guest room.

The facilities

It's early evening and the Soho film crowd is out in force in the Soho Hotel's open-to-view restaurant, Refuel. Reserved for guests only are the fabulous cerise pink drawing room and a calmer library. Both rooms, each with a log fire, have honesty bars so you can mix your own drinks, though there's waiter service as well, and you can order dishes from the restaurant to eat there, too. Everyone looks rather glamorous and young, and a lot of them look American.

Before retreating to your room, take a peek downstairs. As well as a gym and treatment rooms, there are two screening rooms, one with wacky cowhide and red Italian leather sofas and armchairs instead of cinema seats (Friday night is film night for guests).

The rooms

As for the 93 bedrooms, easily the best value are the mid-price rooms that share the fifth floor with the Soho Hotel's enormous suites, and benefit, like them, from the views and wrap-around balcony.

The Soho Hotel’s design reflects the current taste for restrained interiors without kissing goodbye to pretty things or daring combinations, and puts comfort and quality before complexity. Hence, the door keys and old-fashioned light switches, sensible bath fittings, Tivoli radios, handmade beds and the softest of carpet underfoot.

Ultimately, the Soho Hotel makes bold statements, and much here is oversized for effect, from the 10ft bronze Botero cat in the lobby to the headboard, sofa and pictures in our bedroom. It works for us: we feel good in this space.