Hotel Noir

A little slice of cool and contemporary in an otherwise traditional area of town, this hotel overlooks the diminutive Clifton Green and has quick and easy access into town (around a fifteen-minute walk or quick bus ride). There's a lot of black and white in play in the rooms – well, there would be, given the name – but everything has been sharply styled, and there are various grades of accommodation, from recession-busting "compact" room to four-poster. We like the other touches too, including free minibar and mineral water, complimentary newspapers and free parking. A decently priced bar and restaurant rounds off the services. Room rates vary according to size and style, but there are some real bargains to be had by booking online.