Built on the site of Nottingham's medieval castle, Tim Hart's purpose-built hotel has striking modern lines, with curved buttresses, lots of glass. Katinka Rieger is its manager. Standing quietly in a cul-de-sac, it has wide views over the city. Visitors admire the 'well-thought-out' building, and praise the staff ('young, bright, enthusiastic'). Inside, there is contemporary furniture and artwork, limestone floors. Bedrooms are 'well equipped, and naturally ventilated through louvred shutters, giving pleasant air quality without dryness or noise'. All have Internet access and voicemail, and 24-hour room service. Each of the six garden rooms has a private terrace. Light meals (Spanish omelette; spiced chicken salad, etc) are served all day in Park's Bar. Breakfast, which costs extra, can be continental (freshly squeezed orange juice, the 'freshest' fruit salad, etc), or cooked ('fine local pork sausages and free-range eggs'). 'Perfectly prepared coffee by the cup.' Booking is required for Hart's, the adjacent restaurant in the former radiology department of Nottingham's general hospital. Gareth Ward, the chef, serves modern dishes like sea bass, broccoli purée, confit tomatoes; roast venison with red cabbage, parsnip, pear and chocolate. We would welcome reports on his cooking. Mr Hart also owns Hambleton Hall, Hambleton (qv). (RN, and others)