There’s romance and genteel decadence to be found in these three finely refurbished Georgian houses – Peter McKay and Douglas Blain’s ‘stunningly original’ hotel. ‘It remains an oasis of civilisation among the stream of maddening hordes that flock into central London.’ It is named after the essayist William Hazlitt, who lived here when it was a boarding house; today, lavishly furnished rooms have fresh flowers, pictures and antiques, afternoon tea is served on proper china, and an honesty bar is tucked in among shelves of leather-bound books. Bedrooms and suites – some with sloping floorboards, all with restored period plumbing fixtures and fittings – are different as can be. Richly decorated junior suites have a private sitting room and, in the bathroom, a vintage roll-top bath and a throne loo, but even the snuggest single room overlooking neighbouring houses has a characterful antique bed and interesting artwork. The restaurants and the animation of Soho are on the doorstep; in the morning, breakfast may be served in the room. The owners (‘two old gits’, they call themselves) also run the east London Rookery (see entry).