HOTEL of the week

WHERE AND WHY Just a two-minute walk from Balham underground station, the Bedford hotel is under 30 minutes from Central London. It has been revamped with a €4million refurbishment project – and the new rooms are magnificent. There are just 15 bespoke boutique suites each with its own individual artwork. Our room had a huge stand-alone bath and an equally impressive walk-in shower. The Bedford’s iconic Globe Stage performance space has been restored to the highest standard, now with capacity for up to 250 people.

ON THE MENU The bar and the restaurant were absolutely buzzing the night we were in. Despite being fully booked and the bar being busy we didn’t have to wait at all for service. There was plenty of bar and waiting staff. The restaurant prides itself on using the best ingredients from the British Isles, including free-range chicken and pork, beef which is aged in-house, and sustainably caught fish. I tucked into beerbattered fish and chips, and the cod was genuinely the best I have ever eaten. Sunday roasts range from €14 to €17. House wine is €20 and you can even bring your own if you pay a corkage fee

WHILE YOU’RE THERE Just take a walk around the iconic venue where many famous artists have performed. The hotel proudly boasts: “Our Ballroom and Cocktail Bar provide the ultimate places to party.” The hotel’s

website also promises that the Club Room will remain a “hot bed of up-and-coming creative talent” – after playing host to the likes of Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Eddie Izzard and Michael Mcintyre. Music acts are booked by respected industry veteran Tony Moore, who says: “Small venues are like small airfields. If there is nowhere to learn to fly, we have no pilots for the future.” Ed Sheeran said: “I loved playing The Bedford in Balham – it holds fond memories for me and I look forward to coming back one day.” WAKE-UP CALL

Prices at The Bedford start from €100 a night. thebedford.com