HOTEL OF THE WEEK
Hotel Brooklyn Leicester
WHERE AND WHY: The 191-room hotel is next to Leicester’s Welford Road Stadium – home to the Leicester Tigers rugby union team.
It is also close to Leicester and De Montfort universities, making it an attractive choice for parents visiting their offspring.
The hotel stands out thanks to its industrial design, inspired by the New York borough it is named after. The Brooklyn theme continues with an openplan bar complete with images of NYC and a seating area for kicking back and watching films.
Our spacious suite, named the Attenborough, included complimentary cocktails and a platter of deli meats.
The room also featured a freestanding bath, which added to the sophisticated feel, especially when paired with White Stuff toiletries. The ultra-cool bedroom came with air-con, free wi-fi and a safe for valuables. Luxury touches included a Nespresso machine and Marshall amp-inspired fridge.
ON THE MENU: Open-plan hotel bar the Grandstand is a brilliant social space in which to enjoy a cocktail. It comes alive at night with a DJ.
Breakfast is served buffetstyle at The Lair restaurant, with a huge range of options including your classic fry-up, a continental spread and, of course, fluffy American waffles.
Our dinner there was incredible, from the cauliflower fritter starter to the New York strip steak main served with cornbread. Starters from £8, mains £14.50 and desserts £7. WHILE YOU’RE THERE:
With Leicester Tigers’ stadium a 30-second walk away, it would be a shame not to see a match during rugby season. You can also head to the Richard III visitor centre, built after his bones were found under one of the city’s car parks in 2012. WAKE-UP CALL: Doubles from £99 per night with breakfast. hotelbrooklynlei.co.uk