HOTEL of the week

VICTORY HOUSE LEICESTER SQUARE, LONDON

WHERE AND WHY If you’re visiting London, you can’t really get more central than Leicester Square. Down a Dickensian cobbled street leading to Chinatown, the hotel is hidden away in between the hustle and bustle of the restaurants, theatres and bars of the West End. The building itself exudes chic, and the decor inside is a nod to the cinematic glamour of the area, with old black and white movies playing on TV screens in the reception area and on each floor. There are 86 rooms, but it maintains a cosy, boutique feel at the tiny front desk, (next to their oh-so-cool Art Deco bar) and the rooms are just as groovy. Large, cloudlike beds and simple, clean monochrome bathrooms come with luxury products. It is of course a busy area and ear plugs are provided, but for an extra peaceful night’s

sleep ask for a bedroom at the back. Oh, and don’t open the curtains post shower... unless you want to become a tourist attraction yourself.

ON THE MENU Petit Bistro is the 1950s Paris-inspired restaurant on site which is open to both hotel guests and the public for breakfast. It serves everything from your standard full English to smashed avocado on toast, and there’s also a continental buffet, a range of coffees and even breakfast cocktails if the mood should take you. It isn’t the cheapest (Eggs Royale will set you back €10), but it’s delicious, fresh and good quality. It’s only open for breakfast and light bites (serving basics such as soup and bread, €8, or salads from €10) but the bar stays open until 11pm for drinks. For dinner, Abuelo Café

(abuelocafe.co.uk) is a 10-minute walk away and offers a unique take on South American cuisine. Take in the Scandichic decor (with so many plants it feels like a botanical garden) and dine on burgers, tostadas, mac and cheese and BBQ pulled pork croque monsieur, and drink the best espresso martinis going. A rare gem amid the chains of the area.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE It’s in walking distance of some of the best of the capital: Soho, Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and St James’s Park, as well as the National Gallery and Somerset House.

WAKE UP CALL B&B doubles from €161. victoryhouselondon.com

(Use code VICTORY20 to get 20% off until the end of April).