Review of Haymarket, by Katie Scott

Setting foot inside the Haymarket on London's Trafalgar Square is like a visit to the Tate Modern or the MOMA. When the reception tells us to have a seat in the lobby, my first thought is, "On these sofas?", forgetting that the arty furnishings also serve a practical purpose. There are two small sitting areas that mirror each other - one with ornate Louis XVI furniture revamped with canary yellow fabrics, the other with more contemporary sofas that continue the yellow idea.

The dichotomy between old and new, and the flawless fusion of the two, is a theme carried throughout the hotel. And it works well. The Library - a private sitting area enjoyed only by hotel guests - displays leather-bound volumes and a Roman plaster bust, but the patterned fabrics, over-sized art on the walls and light fixtures are all contemporary. This area leads off to The Shooting Gallery, a private function room where hand-painted wallpaper depicts a tropical jungle in shades of grey.

Perhaps the hotel's most stunning feature is the subterranean pool, with a pewter bar, gold-upholstered sofas and light installation by Martin Richman. There are only a handful of London boutique hotels that have a swimming pool, but as always Kit Kemp has turned this space into an art gallery of sorts. In a hotel with only 50 rooms, there are never more than 3 guests at a time in these public areas, making it the perfect setting to entertain friends outside of your room.

One of Haymarket's highlights is the location itself, ideally planted between Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. Before a night out in London, be sure to stop into Brumus, the hotel's restaurant that is also open to the public. The well-priced menu is now brasserie-style featuring fresh, organic produce. It's easy to get distracted by the bold patterns covering the walls and seating, but be sure to look up before you leave. Overhead are umbrella-shaped chandeliers - proving that Kit Kemp's sharp eye hasn't missed a beat.

That being said, the 51 rooms themselves are large enough to host a party with floor-to-ceiling windows letting in floods of light. Each one is individually designed by Kemp, as in all the Firmdale properties, with the guest's comfort as a top priority. The fun fabrics bear the Kit Kemp mark, and all mod cons are still there but tastefully done - they're not the room's central focus. Bathrooms are luxurious and equally roomy, most with a separate bath and shower and a flat-screen TV, discreetly positioned above the bath to create the perfect space to unwind.