Hotel of the week Hampton by Hilton Canterbury

WHERE AND WHY: In the heart of Canterbury’s oldest quarter, this is the only major branded hotel within the city walls, lying a few minutes’ stroll from the main gate of the magnificent cathedral.

The newly built hotel is an intriguing mix of ultra-modern convenience in a venerable setting. The archaeological remains of a

Roman theatre built in 200AD can be seen through a glass viewing platform in the floor of the main lobby, which is entered through a Grade II-listed Tudor building.

Next door a listed Georgian building is incorporated into the structure, offering rooms and access to a planned rooftop restaurant, opening in June, which will have stunning views of the cathedral.

The building, eight years in the planning, is a fun place to be. Rooms are well-equipped, comfy, and in spite of the heart-of-city-centre location, quiet at night.

Our Queen Double was a decent size with the benefit of being both well-equipped and brand new. Neutral colours with quality wood veneers made for pleasing decor. We appreciated the laptopsized safe, wall-mounted HDTV, small desk area with plenty of power sockets, blackout curtain and iron and ironing board.

The bathroom was shower-only. The floorlevel walk-in cubicle with its powerful jet of easily controlled hot water was excellent and we would not have swapped it for a bathtub, although they are available in other rooms.

ON THE MENU: The free breakfast offers a generous hot and cold buffet, including vegan and gluten-free options and a traditional full English. Nice touches included plates of freshly cut melon slices and home-made waffle batter for griddle-it-yourself freshness.

Brighton restaurant Socialite will be opening a rooftop venue next month, and although it will be a separate entity from the hotel, guests will have no trouble booking meals.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE: The hotel has a small but well-equipped gym with treadmills, a cross trainer, exercise bike and free weights.

The cathedral is the main draw for tourists and faithful alike. Westgate Towers Museum is the last surviving of seven medieval gates to the walled city. It was built in 1380 and is still an imposing sight.

Canterbury Roman Museum houses the remains of a Roman villa with intact mosaic floors discovered in 1868.

WAKE-UP CALL: Doubles including free wi-fi and breakfast from £89 a night. hilton.com