South London's hippest boutique hotel gives you designer rock chic in the middle of Londoners' London, close to top attractions like the Tate Modern but minus the tourist throng and traffic jams.
The top floor Lucy suite, Bermondsey Square Hotel
The USP: Voted Britain's Trendiest Hotel 2010 by the users of Tripadvisor, Bermondsey's first boutique hotel is hot to trot when it comes to funkiness, fun and friendliness. Built on a newly developed square in one of London's hippest neighbourboods, it's all mod (Mac) cons and old fashioned hospitality. Loft suites are themed on 60s rock heroines - one with its own giant hot tub; all with wow! views of the city skyline. Oh, and dogs are welcome. There's a big papier mache as you walk into the reception.
Book it now if: You're a trendy tech-lovin' traveller who fancies a bit of friendliness (staff are happy and helpful) and local character above a faceless, tourist-tastic taste of the capital. Or if your pooch goes everywhere you go; four-legged friends get their own boutique bed.
Bedding down: All 80 well-designed rooms have heavenly UK-made beds and Apple Mac-friendly work spaces. Of five funky loft suites, the no.1 spot goes to Lucy (in the Sky with Diamonds); she's the one with the eight-seater hot tub. Lily has a hammock on her patio deck. All have giant Grohe drench showers so posh you have to work out how to use them (or maybe that's just me).
Feed me: Spilling out on to the buzz of Bermondsey Square in summer, Alfie's open-plan bar and restaurant is rightly proud of its seasonal great British menu. Thumbs up to the locally sourced ingredients, like fish from Cornwall, and pork from Suffolk. It even has its own chippy serving sustainably sourced fish, free-range chicken and handcut chips. A full room service menu is served until 10pm.
Easily bored: Just walk out of reception and one of South London's coolest quarters is your oyster, peppered with fashion boutiques, independent delis and gastropubs. The Tower of London, Southbank and Borough Market are all within walking distance. Or save the bother and sit back at Bermondsey Square's mini arthouse cinema, while London's oldest antiques market takes over the square on Friday mornings.
What's the damage: Room rates start from £79 a night, and from £199 for loft suites (room only).
Point me in the right direction: Bermondsey Square Hotel, Bermondsey Square, Tower Bridge Road, London SE1 3UN (020 7378 2450/www.bermondseysquarehotel.co.uk)