Grasshoppers

An Edwardian railway office building seems an unlikely place for a hotel – but buzz an intercom and take the lift to the sixth floor, where a warm reception, cupcakes and affordable Scandi-style comfort await. This penthouse enterprise was the brainchild of owner Barrie Munn, and designed to strike a perfect balance between character and efficiency, to be well run and welcoming, spotless but not clinical. Bedrooms – some overlooking the station’s 48,000-pane glass roof – have a handmade king-size divan bed, a handmade desk, a Caledonian oak floor, Italian lighting, a Grohe power shower in a pod-like bathroom, Arran Aromatics toiletries and blackout blinds. There is a small bar in the sitting room, but the beating heart of the operation is the kitchen, where tea, coffee, home-made cakes and other treats are on offer. Breakfast includes porridge, freshly baked breads, eggs and bacon from local delis, with kedgeree on certain days. You can have supper here too (soups, salad, perhaps lamb curry), but it’s best to book. Parking for guests costs just £8 for 24 hours at a nearby Q-Park.