HOTEL OF THE WEEK

Southampton WHERE AND WHY

Set in the heart of Southampton’s vibrant nightlife district, the award-winning and recently revamped White Star looks and feels like a comfortable traditional tavern on its ground floor with its pub bar and solid wood tables. But venture upstairs and this five-star hotel gives more than a passing nod towards its past and links to the Titanic.

White Star offers 17 rooms – or cabins as the hotel calls them.

The two my wife, daughter and me shared had large, comfy beds, impressive en-suite bathrooms with monsoon showers, and high-end touches in the coffee machines, TVS and fittings. Despite being above the pub and on a busy street there was no noise.

ON THE MENU

The food was head and shoulders above what you’d get in a traditional pub. Head chef Manuel Hernandez Garza’s background in Mediterranean food shines through.

For dinner my daughter and I shared the platter of flat bread, dips and grilled halloumi made with locally produced buffalo milk (£17). The roasted red pepper dip was divine, as was my wife’s Wykham Park Farm asparagus and mozzarella (£7.75). Our mains, Chalcroft Farm beef burger (£15.25), Dover sole with prawns in brown butter sauce (£21) and Simon Rogan’s shepherd’s pie (£16.50) were so filling we were unable to attempt a dessert. Breakfast was varied with full English (with veggie options) and other standards.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE

The hotel is in Oxford Street and is five minutes’ walk from the docks and marinas. We took in a Saturday night show at the Mayflower Theatre. The production of Singing In The Rain starring Strictly’s Kevin Clifton was as good a song-and-dance fest as you would hope to see in the West End. We also went to the Seacity Museum to see its excellent Titanic Story exhibition.

WAKE-UP CALL

Double cabins start at £120 a night B&B, whitestartavern.co.uk

By Anil Dawar