The Lalit London

WHAT’S ITLIKE? Open since February, the Indian group’s first European hotel is a conversion of the 19th-century St Olave’s grammar school, about a five-minute walk from London Bridge station. Offering quiet respite in a hectic area, it’s set back from the road and is almost country-house like with its red-brick exterior. The £50 million renovation is a triumph, introducing plenty of Indian decoration that doesn't seem incongruous.

FACILITIES The 70 rooms range from 16 sqm Cosy Classroom up to the 120 sqm Legacy suite. All have hand-embroidered silk bed headboards and heated marble floors in the bathroom. Baluchi restaurant is in the former Assembly Hall and features Hyderabadi chandeliers.

VERDICT Handy for the City of London, with friendly service, great style and a good-looking restaurant. Tom Otley