Bathrooms have been fully refitted within exisitng footprint

The entrance lobby was large but underlit, creating a slightly gloomy feel that is quite at odds with the lightness and space elsewhere in the hotel. It wasn’t helped by the large light box suspended above the counter not seeming to throw any light out. The area made a curious contrast with the high ceilinged, strongly lit, bar area, which also benefited by having a large screen behind the bar onto which images (or the TV broadcast of the cycling – more bums in lycra) could be projected. The use of an image of a pool surface, slightly Hockney in feel, seemed appropriate with its association with male bodies in Los Angeles. The bar lounge area was a natural meeting point, an intersection where corridors went off to the restaurant area or the meeting rooms, adjacent to the lift lobby, and visible from the hotel entrance. This sense of location was curiously missing from the reception area, easily resolvable I suspect by use of some better lighting.

It was with a sense of judgement suspended that we took the lift to our room, to be both delighted and surprised by the lightness and clean feel of the corridor when we emerged. If the corridors pale colours were a pleasant surprise then the feel of the bedroom was even more of a delight. An executive room, it was a generous space well furnished with high design values. Noteworthy was the large desk which had ample space for laptop, phone charger, notebook etc. and still left room for a cup of coffee or a glass of wine.

Feel of the rooms is similar to the Hilton del Mar in Barcelona ( Click to See earlier Review)Rollover for Desk and wardrobe layout for the standard bedroom Work desk is large and functional as well as well designed. Rollover to see another bedroom

The rooms had a family resemblance to the room in the Hilton del Mar in their arrangement of cupboard space , the size and functionality of the desk, the WiFi links (surely something that should be free in a business hotel) and minibar arrangement. The colour scheme was restful without being bland, much of the colour coming from the colour of the timber used throughout.

Curtains gave an effective black out when closed, but also opened to reveal large windows with views across the city. The curtain fabrics provided the strongest colour notes, and the overall effect was of a crisp contemporary scheme without falling into the minimalist trap of creating a space that was bleak. On the contrary this room was a stage for the guest, a comfortable background for business, leisure or pleasure.

The business lounge has views to the river from the upper floor of the tower housing the bedrooms, and is again neatly designed, and it is possible to breakfast here whist enjoying watching the city beyond the windows. Working provision is good and there is also a lounge area for relaxation. The desk for the receptionist is discreetly tucked away, right inside the door but screened from the body of the room by a circular aquarium set into a small stud partition (of the kind that would be known in Lancashire as a ‘spear’).