Travel

If you’re planning a conference for a relatively small group, why pay top dollar and risk getting overlooked in the rush to bag the best meeting room? And if you’re doing business alone, why not go for atmosphere rather than check into another could-be-anywhere bolt hole? Amanda Morison discovers quirky city centre hotels where it’s all about you.

London
55 Hotel
Want a quick getaway, but easy access to the centre of town? West Acton is equidistant between Heathrow and the West End. Other draws include kingsize beds, free WiFi and parking, a Momo Japanese restaurant and that members of the design team worked on Berkeley Street’s Nobu, and the US Ambassador’s Regent’s Park garden. You’d pay at least double for a similar room in a more luxey location.
Doubles from £80, b&b; hotel55-london.com

Milan
Town house 33
The newest member of the upscale Town House 31 chain, the 14-room Town House 33 is next door to 31 and shares its garden and vast breakfast table. The Fieramilano Rho exhibition centre is 20 minutes away by train. Rooms deliver WiFi and laptops on request. Ask the multilingual concierge where to head for a night out or a business meeting. Or just bunk down knowing the butler will ensure your threads for the next day are pressed.
From €165, b&b; townhousegalleria.it

Paris
Hotel Daniel
The 26-room (ok, we cheated slightly) Hotel Daniel in the swanky 8th district is like a jewellery box. Walls are covered in Chinese toile de jouy, windows draped in silk, velvet sofas sink under endless cushions. So jump in and enjoy the patisserie and Ladurée macaroons with a pot of green tea. There’s WiFi, 24-hour room service, valet parking, an excellent restaurant and a bar that can be hired for exclusive business soirées.
Singles from €350; hoteldanielparis.com.

Berlin
Hotel Art nouveau
This pension-hotel is on the fourth floor of a townhouse off the Ku’damm, complete with birdcage lift. Book 80 per cent of the 22 rooms and suites to take over the entire property, and there’s a conference room for up to 35. There’s no restaurant, but the salon buffet breakfast will keep you going, and there’s a fridge packed with goodies and an honour bar.
Singles from €96, b&b; hotelartnouveau.de

Zurich
Greulich
This five-storey midnight blue block in the cool Aussersihl area is the work of architects Romero and Schaefle. All 18 white-on-white rooms face a fairy-tale courtyard garden. The Slow Food restaurant serves Catalan dishes and there’s a cigar lounge and the Saletta, a multipurpose space for parties and conferences of up to 30. You can book a tapas-fuelled meeting, and enjoy the view over the birches.
Singles from €160, b&b; greulich.ch blog comments powered by Disqus