The Forbury is a smart conversion project in Reading. Built in 1911 as the original Shire Hall for Berkshire County Council, this listed building remains a hub of activity as a boutique hotel. Flirty interior design and luxe contemporary furniture marries old with new, attracting a hip clientele.

The facilities

A private cinema has 30 Italian leather seats and shows a mix of classic, general release and art house films - great for a boutique hotel with such creative credentials. Even the events rooms feel funky: the original council chamber, with its beautiful hand-painted walls, makes a great space for functions.

Cerise restaurant and bar serves up what The Forbury calls 'Brasserie Luxe' quality dishes: basically, good French-style food made with seasonal British produce (sourced from sustainable stocks - so, extra Green points too).

The rooms

24 rooms and suites get the bed bit right: they're king sized doubles, with French satin cotton sheets and overstuffed pillows. Luckily, underfloor heating and Nespresso coffee machines make getting up in the morning no bad thing.

Rooms at The Forbury are furnished with designer pieces from Osborne and Little, Cole & Son, Kenzo, Paul Smith and Nina Campbell. To complete the line-up, Bang & Olufsen supply the TVs and Hi-Fis. You won't want to go home.