The Zetter Townhouse, Clerkenwell

Across the cobbled square from The Zetter (see previous entry) is its eccentric aunt, outwardly an ‘elegant’ Georgian town house, but inside resembling a riot in an antique shop. Walls are crowded with paintings and knick-knacks, shelves crammed with books and bibelots, all around is a quirky decadence. Admire examples of the taxidermist’s art as you partake of a ‘delightful’ continental breakfast or supper snacks devised by chef Bruno Loubet – a mug of soup, sharing boards, ‘Aunt Wilhelmina’s “drop of sherry” trifle’. (A room-service menu is also available all day.) Evenings, mixologist Tony Conigliaro makes wicked cocktails in the ‘stylish’, ‘atmospheric’ lounge. Bedrooms are as quirky as you like – a four-poster bed has a union flag canopy; a bathtub is set in an alcove of gold – while all have amusing artwork, reclaimed and antique furniture, a raindance shower in the bathroom. They’ve all been thoughtfully kitted out, too, with a minibar and espresso machine, a selection of novels, still and sparkling water from the Zetter’s own boreholes. (ML, and others)