HOTEL: CONRAD LONDON ST. JAMES

the hotel This five-star 256-room Hilton property is in the former Queen Anne's Chambers, a 19th-century building. Although right opposite St James Tube Station, in the heart of Westminster, it's away from the main streets in a relatively quiet area.

COVID STRATEGY The Conrad follows Hilton's Cleanstay programme. The Hilton Honors app can be used to check in, choose your room, and opt in for a digital key.

the CHECK-IN Sunshine poured in through the lobby's angular skylight and I was welcomed with a warm smile. There's a mesmerising art centrepiece, The Ladder to Bronze by Tom Clark, which apparently represents power in the hands of the people - a nice reference to the hotel’s proximity to the decision-makers in Westminster.

the Room My King Deluxe Room (604) was a little on the smallish side considering the room category but made excellent use of the space and was very comfortable. Egyptian cotton bedding and noise insulation helped me sleep well. There was a good-sized work table along with abundant power and USB points. A 42-inch HDTV satellite TV, with Chromecast, was built into a large LCD panel in the wall. The marblefurnished bathroom was very spacious, with a separate bathtub, walk-in rain shower and Shanghai Tang toiletries. There was a Nespresso machine with plenty of coffee pods and Hope + Glory t-bags. Warning: the gently sloping wall angles by the window aren't immediately obvious - I twice knocked my head sitting in the window chair.

the BUSINESS There are seven wellequipped meeting rooms of various sizes on the bottom floor and an Executive Lounge on the top floor.

the FACILITIES These revolve mainly around the newish dining/drinking options - The elegant Hedgerow, The Pem restaurant, with an art Deco feel, and the Blue Boar pub, a fabulous recreation of a London pub with craft beers and even a Sunday roast.

the VERDICT This is a competitivelypriced and classy hotel that is small enough to feel intimate, welcoming and almost 'boutiquey" – and in a great location. The lively Blue Boar pub is a place to return to time and time again, even if you're not staying at the hotel.

the DETAILS 22-28 Broadway, London, SW1H 0BH; 020 3301 8080; hilton.com. A King Deluxe Room starts from £288.

THIS CLASSY HOTEL IS SMALL ENOUGH TO

FEEL INTIMATE AND ALMOST 'BOUTIQUEY'