HOTEL of the week

NOVOTEL CANARY WHARF

EAST LONDON

WHAT AND WHY At 39 storeys tall, this sleek skyscraper hotel is the height of sophistication. The vibe here is decidedly futuristic – we were checked in via roving staff with tablets, rather than anything so last century as a reception desk. We were then whizzed up to our high-rise, hi-tech hotel room, with huge windows looking out on London’s mini-Manhattan. Once the kids had discovered the magic button that turned the clear glass bathroom wall opaque, they immediately proclaimed this “the best hotel ever” – and that was without factoring in the gorgeous swimming pool in the basement or the special pizza and movie nights for children.

ON THE MENU This hotel is very family friendly but my husband and I booked a babysitter to fully enjoy Bokan rooftop bar and restaurant. With its exposed brickwork, leather seating, copper lights and huge lanterns, this is one seriously cool spot, even before you clock the near-360 degree views across the city. Luckily the food was equally jawdropping. I had crispy hen’s egg with hazelnuts to start (imagine a classy Scotch egg), lamb cutlets served with Bokan’s signature butter-laden mash,

and a melting white chocolate bombe to finish (starters from £9, mains from £28).

WHILE YOU’RE THERE Canary Wharf is its own city within a city, with plenty of shops and riverside bars. The (free) Docklands Museum can give you the lowdown on its history. If the Novotel has given you a head for heights, you can go one stop on the Jubilee Line to North Greenwich to scale the roof of the 02 (£38) or take the Emirates Airline cable car over the river (£7 return for adults). The West End is 15 minutes away on the Tube, while the City is 10 minutes on the DLR.

WAKE UP CALL Doubles from £125 per night (Friday to Sunday); from £235 per night (Monday to Thursday). novotel.com