The White Star Tavern 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 historic links to the Titanic.

It was once owned by the White Star Line which ran the transatlantic liner and accommodated many ships’ passengers before they set off on their voyages.

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. They didn’t have portholes but there was a cruise ship feel. 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 including egg and ham, avocado on toast, cereal, pastries and fruit salad.

WHILE YOU’RE THERE The hotel is in Oxford Street which claims to be home to the city’s best bars and restaurants. It 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.

Earlier the three of us spent two hours in Southampton’s SeaCity Museum to see its excellent Titanic Story exhibition.

WAKE-UP CALL Double cabins start at £120 a night B&B, whitestartavern.co.uk