Hazlitt’s

Named after the late-18th-century English writer William Hazlitt, who lived in a boarding house here when down on his luck in the early 19th century, this hotel exudes history – and literary associations – from every nook and cranny. Part of the group of three boutique historic London locations, Hazlitt's is hands down one of the capital's most gorgeous hotels, providing a superb and very characterful hideaway in the heart of Soho.

A warren of rooms in a row of wonky Georgian houses, Hazlitt's wears its history lightly. Yes, the rooms have wood-panelled walls and huge 17th-century four-posters, faded rugs, antique books and fine old paintings, but the wildly sloping floors, personally signed books and small surprises at every turn give the place a feel that’s delightfully unpretentious, sort of like staying with your richest and most eccentric London aunt or uncle. Overall, it couldn't be further away from the experience of staying in a chain hotel, and that's exactly the point: just soak up the atmosphere and think yourself lucky to be staying in such a unique location, at the heart of Europe's most exciting city.

A Georgian building dating from 1718, Hazlitt's opened the best part of 30 years ago, when Douglas Blain and Peter Mckay saved what was formerly a nurse's hostel from developers, turning it into the first of their three hotels. It's basically a row of three townhouses, and has 30 guest rooms, all decorated in Blain and McKay's signature style, with antique furnishings, heavy drapes, rugs and lots and lots of paintings – basically the city abode of a wealthy 18th-century gentleman, but with modern amenities to boot. Bedrooms come with good wifi,  minibars, air-conditioning, a carefully concealed Smart TV, en-suite bathrooms, some with standalone clawfoot baths, and posh toiletries and robes; some have carved oak four poster beds, while the stunning Duke of Monmouth suite (named after a local dignitary who was beheaded nearby after leading a plot again his uncle, the king)  has its own sitting room, conservatory and garden, not to mention a marble bath filled from the beak of a life-sized eagle!

Service is attentive and nothing is too much trouble, and public spaces feature real fires and an honesty bar. Although you’re just around the corner from some fabulous patisseries and coffee houses, it’s difficult to resist the hotel’s astoundingly good bacon sandwich at breakfast or a smoked salmon bagel, with bread supplied by Brick Lane's famous Beigel Bake – the oldest and best bagel shop in London no less. And if you like Hazlitt's style, why not consider staying at one of its sister hotels – The Rookery in Clerkenwell or Batty Langley's in Spitalfields?