Reality Check: We check in to three hotels and take the

DEPARTURES Reality check

THE HOTEL Previously the Ace hotel, this independently-owned property by the Lore Group reopened in March 2022. With the coolest of names and addresses, it has 258 exquisitely-designed rooms and suites.

THE CHECK-IN I arrived early and my room wasn't quite ready but my luggage was quickly stored and I was shown to the lobby area, which doubles as a meeting area and was alive to the chirping of multiple laptops being tapped. I found a cosy spot in a lounge chair next to the coffee shop.

THE ROOM My studio room (228) was super-comfortable, with a king-size bed, work station and a wall-to-wall white couch, small dining table, a striking tapestry and bespoke art work by designer and architect Jacu Strauss, black-out blinds, a mini-fridge, and pullout tea and coffee station. With its white and beige palette - a contrast to the vivid colours seen in the rest of the hotel - and unfussy decor, it elicited a feeling of calm and relaxation.

THE BUSINESS The lobby area, with work tables, comfy chairs and USB ports, is set up for meetings and laptop work, although the constant beat of house music isn't conducive to complex discussions or telephone calls. There are also five meeting rooms, of various sizes, and a large event space, The One Hundred room, which features floor-toceiling glass and stunningly distracting views of the London city skyline

THE FACILITIES The property has three bars and six restaurants. Goddard & Gibbs is an all-day seafood restaurant and wine bar, at its centre a rather incongruous giant yellow rock sculpture. The menu highlights ethical sourcing and local suppliers. The kitchen served up one of the best fish pies I have ever had. Seed Library is a basement cocktail bar whilst at the opposite end of the building on the seventh floor there's one of the most impressive rooftop bars and terraces in London, inspired by California's desert cities, with powdery-pink colours, greenery and

HOTEL: ONE HUNDRED SHOREDITCH, LONDON

STAFF ARE SUPERB AND THE ROOFTOP SPACE IS ALSO SOMETHING SPECIAL

pebble-based cacti. It can be booked for private events. A workout area features five Peloton bikes.

THE VERDICT A classy hotel that's warm and cosy but contemporary and sleek. Staff are superb and the rooftop space is also something special.

THE DETAILS 100 Shoreditch High Street, London E1 6JQ, Studio rooms from £300, onehundredshoreditch.com.

Steve Hartridge

THE HOTEL A five-minute walk from Paddington Station in London's regenerated Paddington Basin, this 393room hotel opened in March 2022. It’s the first of three new hotels being opened by parent Whitbread in the Paddington and Marylebone area of the capital by the end of 2023.

THE CHECK-IN The lobby was bustling when I arrived at around 5.30pm. I tried the self check-in kiosks but my booking code wasn’t accepted so I approached the reception desk and waited in line. There were a few people apparently waiting for their rooms to be ready but thankfully mine was. THE ROOM I stayed in one of the brand’s new Premier Plus rooms, which have some of the same features as a standard Premier Inn room, such as the famous king-size Hypnos bed and a choice of pillow, but with some extras, such as a bigger desk with an adjustable chair, mini-fridge with complimentary still and sparkling water, Nespresso machine, tea bags and some Green and Black chocolate (which I love and scoffed immediately). There’s also an ironing board, flatscreen TV, and an upgraded vanity unit with a stall and hairdryer, all cleverly designed to maximise space. Plus rooms also come with faster ‘Ultimate’ WiFi too. My only criticim was that the power shower could have been a bit more powerful.

THE BUSINESS Speedy Wi-Fi, above desk power points and the larger desks made my bedroom a comfortable space to check emails. On my visit the noise and activity levels in the lobby weren't conducive to work or meetings but there were quiet corners in the restaurant and bar.

THE FACILITIES A long staircase from the lobby leads down to the vast Bar + Block Steakhouse restaurant, which is where breakfast is also served (full English £9.50 and continental £7.50). Lunchtimes and evenings the speciality is a selection of hand cut steaks – 8oz, 12oz, 16oz or even bigger on request. There's also burgers, fish and chips and a roast on Sundays.

THE VERDICT This new-build has all the best bits of a Premier Inn but with some well-executed extra touches. It's in a pretty, vibrant part of London that I never even knew existed but I will definitely go back.

HOTEL: PREMIER INN PADDINGTON BASIN

ALL THE BEST BITS OF A PREMIER INN BUT WITH SOME WELL-EXECUTED EXTRA TOUCHES

THE DETAILS Paddington Exchange, N Wharf Rd, London W2 1LF premierinn.com

Bev Fearis

THE HOTEL This mansion house hotel, originally built in the 1560s as a private family home, is set in 250 acres of peaceful Berkshire countryside so feels a million miles from urban life but is actually a mere 15 minutes’ drive from Reading town centre and 40 minutes from Heathrow.

THE CHECK-IN Although a fair walk from the car park to reception, the check-in was efficient and friendly and I was soon in my room, one of 12 luxury suites and 87 guestrooms in the Mansion House itself, all of which were refreshed as part of a £20 million refurbishment in 2018.

THE ROOM With another 222 rooms in Wokefield Place and 40 in Wellington Lodge, there are 376 rooms in all. As part of the £20 million spend, 248 rooms were refurbished and the others had a soft refurb. My room was very spacious with far-reaching views over the hotel’s sports pitches and countryside beyond. It had a very comfortable king-size bed, desk, leather sofa, large LCD TV, Wi-Fi, tea and coffee making facilities, fridge and a Roberts radio. The bathroom had double sinks, a bath tub (some suites have roll-top baths) and a separate rain shower.

THE BUSINESS The estate boasts an impressive 39 event spaces, from intimate meeting rooms for six to the 500-capacity Wokefield Suite. A dedicated conference centre at Wokefield Place has been kitted out with the latest tech.

THE FACILITIES Breakfast buffet, lunch and dinner is served in the bright and airy 1560 Restaurant & Bar. The adjoining terrace is perfect for al fresco dining or drinks looking out over the estate. The View restaurant and bar at Wokefield Place is open every evening until 9pm and for sports fans Benedict’s has large screens. There’s also a fullyequipped gym and indoor pool and, last but not least, a par 72 championship golf course (play mid-week for £35) and a Golf Academy where you can hit some balls in the floodlit range or take a golf lesson with a PGA Professional.

HOTEL: DE VERE WOKEFIELD ESTATE

AT THE GOLF ACADEMY YOU CAN TAKE A GOLF LESSON WITH A PGA PROFESSIONAL

THE VERDICT This hotel has a real sense of grandeur in a tranquil setting (you can borrow Hunter wellies and explore the grounds). The refurb and the high-tech conference facilities make it a firm favourite for corporate gatherings.

THE DETAILS De Vere Wokefield Estate, Goodboys Lane, Reading RG7 3AE, devere.co.uk/wokefield-estate, double rooms from £119 including breakfast.

Matt Bonner

THE TRAIN This overnight sleeper service links London with a range of Scottish cities effortlessly, and with eco-friendly credentials.

THE JOURNEY I travelled in a Club Room overnight between Inverness and London Euston, which left punctually at 8.26pm and arrives in London 12 hours later (depending on signalling priorities). Check-in was done on the platform as I boarded and was combined with a welcome explanation of the hotel-style key-card system for my room and dining options. Digital displays in each carriage give location and destination guidance and journey updates. THE SEAT My Club Room offered bunk beds, wash basin and an ensuite toilet which doubled as a shower cubicle. The space was limited but good design touches ensured there was sufficient space to stow a bag, hang clothes and power and charge electricals. A collapsible table pulled out from below the sink for those who want to work or dine in the cabin. The lower bunk doubled as seating, with a head rest for added comfort. Each cabin has its own temperature controls, dimmable lights and good, complimentary WiFi.

THE SERVICE Towels and Scottish toiletries were provided and the bunks were made up ready for the night with a very comfortable well-padded Glencraft mattress, two full-sized pillows and a generous duvet in quality white linens. The entire train felt clean and modern with décor and colour schemes matching that of the Scottish landscape. Onboard dinner was available for purchase in the Lounge Car from boarding (45 minutes before departure). Choices included Haggis, Neeps and Tatties or Macaroni Cheese, local cheese board and snacks. Staff were very friendly and cheerful. Breakfast is pre-ordered by door card 30 minutes after boarding for delivery to your room or served the Lounge Car. The menu ranges from yoghurt and granola to a hearty Full Highland Breakfast complete with black pudding.

THE VERDICT No queuing, no security checks, no luggage restrictions are immediate plus points. In these CO2-conscious times, this comfortable rail journey really did make the switch from air or road to rail seem a sensible, easy and efficient option.

THE DETAILS Club Rooms from £205 return for a solo traveller and £250 for shared, www.sleeper.scot

TRAIN: CALEDONIAN SLEEPER

NO QUEUING, NO SECURITY CHECKS, NO LUGGAGE RESTRICTIONS

Julie Baxter