Contemporary and classic hotels

It is possible to have contemporary features along with the high-class standards you would expect of a traditional hotel, as travel writer Andrea Wren found out

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It is possible to have the best of both worlds, if you're looking for contemporary features with the high-class standards of a traditional hotel, as travel writer Andrea Wren of Wren Elite Travel finds out

Luxury for less

Urban Beach Hotel, 22 Argyll Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth
See www.urbanbeachhotel.co.uk or telephone 01202 301509

Staying: For a funky, young vibe and fantastic rooms, the Urban Beach Hotel is just the thing. Sounding very much like you'd expect it to look, it is contemporary in decor with a laid-back ambiance - yet still manages the high standards a more traditional hotel might have (although room service isn't really de rigeur here).

Room 3, particularly, is ever-so stylishly furnished - a decadent chandelier, fabulous mood lighting, and a glorious red leather sofa by the huge bay window, perfect for people-watching over the bar below.

Arran Aromatics toiletries and a super tub bath means bath time is a sheer delight. Rates from £120 for a double room (Room 3, £170).

Eating: You can eat in the bar downstairs, a hip and lively haunt with excellent prices and scrumptious food. The crispy beer-battered fish is delicious, and breakfast is something worth waking up for (go for Urban Benedict!).

Nearby? Bournemouth is a 25 minute walk down the beach, with trendy bars and great restaurants. Boscombe will soon be home to Europe's first artificial surf reef.
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Family friendly

The Strand Palace Hotel, The Strand, London
See www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk or telephone 020 7379 4737

Staying: A great hotel for families, the Strand Palace couldn't be better located to see most of London's sights within spitting distance - and who needs to be trekking too far with kids in tow?

Having recently undergone refurbishment, the hotel can offer contemporary Club rooms which are bright and airy and make a perfect resting place for any tourist trekking to swanky London town.

If you are staying in a Club room there is a dedicated Club check-in desk, and seeing as the hotel is so big, this comes in very handy against check-in queues! There is a choice of restaurants and bars, and with a history that dates back to 1907, the hotel can certainly lay its claim to tradition. Club Doubles from £140.

Eating: Johnston's Brasserie is tastefully decorated and reasonably priced by London standards - the homemade crab and fishcake starter (£6.95) is especially yummy.

Nearby? Close to the theatres and Covent Garden, as well as the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament, you will be spoilt for choice with things to do.
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Good value with ghosts

Lythe Hill Hotel & Spa, Haslemere, Surrey
See www.lythehill.co.uk or telephone 01428 651 251

Staying: Do you want your room with or without ghosts? With a choice of a reputedly haunted old Tudor building to stay in, or a modern annexe, the Lythe Hill really does please both palettes of traditional or contemporary.

Original four-poster beds in oak-timbered rooms or present-day style with a clean, crisp look - both can be had depending on your requirements.

The Elemis toiletries in the rooms, as well as the lovely Amarna spa, go down a treat. And personally, I'd go for the risk of being spooked in the night - the fabulous Tudor rooms are hard to beat for a blast from the past - just watch your head on the door frames, the Tudors were tiny! Rates from £165 per room.

Eating: The dark, candlelit ambiance of the Auberge de France restaurant is perfect for romance, and the food is pretty damn good as well. Be sure to ask the chef if the buttered sole is on the specials menu - delicious.

Nearby? Haslemere is twee but with character, and good for boutiques (bring plenty of cash). Winchester and Windsor are close by for more exploration.
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Push the boat out

Stapleford Park, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
See www.staplefordpark.com or telephone 01572 787000

Staying: Set into acres of country estate, Stapleford Park is a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World and it isn't difficult to see why.

Jacko and Will Smith have stayed here at a fabulous party thrown by owner the Queen of Brunei, for her son's 25th birthday party. The hotel prides itself on a 'welcome home' approach, with a relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff.

With the eclectic mix of modern and classic in its individually-styled rooms, there is scope to suit all tastes. Campion Bell is a room delightfully designed in trompe l'oeil art, whereas Savoir Beds is oh-so-very Barbarella, with silvery glittered wallpaper and a large round bed. Rates from £295 for House Rooms.

Eating: Yummy! Dinner is a treat at Stapleford Park - fine dining can be had in the Grinling Gibbons restaurant, where you'll pay £52.50 for three courses and can try game, fish, meat or vegetarian options. The pink-cooked loin of lamb is just divine.

Nearby? Go eat a pork pie in nearby Melton Mowbray!
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Blow the budget!

Brown's Hotel, Albemarle Street, London
See www.brownshotel.com or telephone 020 7493 6020

Staying: Seeking pure, yet understated, luxury? Then Rocco Forte's London property Brown's Hotel is the perfect place for you.

Highly contemporary in that it doesn't go OTT with the gilt and gold of many other hotel in its class, quality seeps from every pore in this Mayfair-located accommodation. Excellent service, and a beautiful bar which is as perfect for meeting friends for a glass of red as for relaxing before retiring to one of the hotel's elegantly decorated rooms.

As for the bathrooms, with heated mirrors, big baths and huge fluffy towels, even washing is a treat in Brown's! Rates from - ahem - £450 for a Classic Queen room.

Eating: The menu is just what you need. Good old-fashioned favourites with a twist, to satisfy a desire for home-cooking yet bring dishes up to a 5 star standard. The Baked Razor Clam starter was incredible, as was the haddock in beer batter main, with minted mushy peas!

Nearby? Well, you're in London! But you're close to Bond Street for posh shopping!

Andrea travelled from Manchester to the London hotels First Class with Virgin Pendolino service, courtesy of Virgin Trains. See www.virgintrains.co.uk
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