Rooms

There are 59 rooms, spread over 4 floors. All are different, but each has a main colour pop - perhaps hot pink, neon orange, sunshine yellow or electric blue. Style is a mix of modern and vintage - Regency armchairs pimped up with vibrant fabrics, leather headboards, whimsical art, and lots of technology.

If you’re here to relax and spoil yourselves generally, book a Rooftop room. We stayed in a Rooftop Signature (was Deluxe), and it was marvellous, with a terrace we could sit out on, sweeping views of the London skyline including The Gherkin, and loads of in-room space. The very comfy kingsize bed was dressed in crisp white linens, with a hot-pink throw matching a hot-water bottle and a shag rug on the parquet floor. There was a pot of pink orchids, a pile of Penguin books and a gorgeous Rob Ryan print on the wall. We requested an iron; it arrived in minutes, with a big smile. And we loved all the little extras: a Nespresso machine and separate milk frother, handfuls of Ren toiletries, thick robes to pad about in. It was quiet at night, not too hot (the downfall of many a hotel), and to be honest, we’d struggle to fault a thing. There are also Rooftop Studios and Rooftop Kings (previously known as Superior), both gorgeous, just a little smaller.

If you’re here to sightsee and simply want a London base, one of the smaller rooms will be fine. We really liked the Guest rooms, which maximise their space and still feel full of colour and comfort (though some are a little dark). The more expensive (non Rooftop) rooms offer more space and natural light, plus a desk (Superiors) and twin beds on request (Deluxes). Ceilings felt a little low in a couple, but all are lovely rooms in general.

The non-Rooftop rooms have a tea and coffee station on each floor.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

In the morning, the Atrium's floor-to-ceiling windows are flooded with light for breakfast. A cooked meal is worth splashing out on (we'd recommend the avocado, bacon and mozzarella bagel with a 'Morning Melon' smoothie), and if you're still hungry you can pay a bit extra and indulge in the enormous continental buffet (pastries, homemade granola, fresh juices etc).

This is also where you can get coffee and pastries throughout the morning, as well as light lunches such as salads and sandwiches. In the summer months eat alfresco on St John's courtyard.

Come evening, this space transforms into The Zetter restaurant, offering seasonal dishes with a contemporary flair. Here you have the option to eat in one of a collection of cosy dining spaces, including a secluded kitchen table seating up to 12 guests.

If you want a change of scene, we'd recommend Gaucho Smithfields for steak, The Peasant for gastro-pubbery, and tapas bar Morito in Exmouth Market (little sister to the famous Moro). Or you could head across the courtyard to the fabulous Zetter Townhouse for one of their eclectic concoctions; the Rose Gimlets are legendary.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Organic produce
• Restaurant
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service
• Vegetarian options

Activities

• Stroll around villagey Clerkenwell, a hotbed of creativity and cool, loft-style living. There are historic local sites (a 12th-century priory, former prisons and a Norman church) and loads of independent shops. Great pubs, too - The Eagle was London's original gastro-pub
  
  
• Stroll to nearby Exmouth market for kooky boutiques and pie & mash cafés
  
  
• Smithfields meat market is the last surviving wholesale market in central London and well worth a look. Trading hours are 4am til midday. Or have a steak dinner at Gaucho Smithfields
  
  
• Hire a bike from reception and head over to Brick Lane for a world-class curry, arty Spittalfields market (daily) or to admire flowers at Columbia Road market (Sundays only). On the fringes, Hoxton is renowned for its cutting-edge vibe
  
  
• Cycle or walk to beautiful St Paul's Cathedral
  
  
• Watch world-class modern dance or classical ballet at Sadler's Wells
  
  
• Night owls should try hip club Fabric, set in an old cold house of Smithfields. Cargo in Shoreditch, a quick cab ride away, is also brilliant

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Cycling
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Children are welcome and stay for free in a baby cot or pay a small supplement for an extra bed in their parents' room. Or there are connecting rooms available.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Superior rooms can fit a baby cot; the larger rooms can fit an extra bed.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Zetter is in Clerkenwell, east London. It's a 7-minute walk from Farringdon Tube station on the edge of the City, and a 10-minute taxi ride from the West End.

By Air
Most scheduled airlines fly into London Heathrow (30km away) or London Gatwick (49km away). Some budget airlines land at London Stansted or London Luton. Technically the closest airport is London City but this is much smaller than the others. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
Taxis from London City airport, London Heathrow and London Gatwick will have an approx. starting price of £50. London has excellent transport links from all airports into the centre of town so you're just as well taking public transport.

From Heathrow airport you can take the fast Heathrow Express rail service to Paddington station. The Gatwick Express service travels from Gatwick airport to Victoria in 30 minutes, and the Stansted Express takes 45-60 minutes to reach Liverpool Street station from the airport. There's a Docklands Light Rail (DLR) service from London City airport to Bank, where you can connect with the Tube network.

By Train
Rail services to London from elsewhere in the UK arrive at Paddington, Marylebone, King’s Cross, St Pancras, Euston, Waterloo, Liverpool Street or Victoria stations, all of which are an easy Tube ride from the hotel. International Eurostar trains from Paris, Lille and Brussels arrive at St Pancras station.

By Coach:
Coach services from all the above airports and elsewhere in the UK arrive at London Victoria. These are often much cheaper - but considerably slower - than the train.

By Car
Driving around London can be stressful and parking is generally a pain in the posterior, so most people rely on public transport or taxis. However, if you really want to hire a car see our car rental recommendations. There's pay and display parking outside, free on Sundays.

Getting Around
Buses and Tube lines serve all areas of London. The hotel is about a 7-minute walk from Farringdon Tube Station, which is on the Circle Line (direct connection to Victoria and Paddington) and the Hammersmith & City Line (direct connection to Paddington). For the cheapest fares buy a pre-paid Oyster card, which is valid on all bus and Tube services, as well as overground trains in the London area.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to the UK and getting around