The first property in this little hotel group was opened in Brighton in 2008 by a 20-year-old who reinvented his parents' B&B by inviting local artists for sleepovers (provided they painted on the walls). It now has outposts in Oxfordshire, Bristol and Cornwall, as well as this one, on a quiet Pimlico street – one of London’s best affordable hotels. It may feel laid- back but the team has a marvellous eye for design (cast-iron four-posters, pop art and vintage Anglepoise lamps), plus there’s a full English for breakfast.

A decade ago no one would have loitered long in Ecclestone Place, as National Express buses rumbled out of the coach station. The reimagination of the Eccleston Yards has totally shifted its fortunes. At its heart is this light-filled brasserie with soaring ceilings and trailing greenery. Take a seat at the open bar for a seasonal, sharing-style feast of fish and meat from the charcoal grill. And check out the homeware in the retail space and online.

This traditional boutique hotel has an absolute smasher of a private garden. There are few places we'd rather be on a sunny day! If you're lucky, you may spy a royal here from time to time; the Duchess of Cambridge even stayed here the night before her wedding.

Formative founder Ian Kissick moved to London to study computer science but quickly found his calling in coffee. While he’s objectively one of the best in the business (in 2023 he was crowned UK Barista Champion), he does everything he can to keep his craft simple for his customers. There’s a choice of just two coffees: A (medium to high bitterness, ideal with milk) or B (a sweeter option suited to espressos). A great address to know if you’re looking for a good coffee around Victoria.