The Town Hall Hotel

Award-winning design in gritty East London
Popular plate: One of the best things about this hotel is the restaurant. Headed up by Nuno Mendes, a master of molecular gastronomy, Viajante's nine course menu may cost GBP 90, but it's worth it.

Noteworthy for: With room rates starting at GBP 175+VAT a night, this is great value for the high standard.
You would never guess there was a hotel here. Tucked into the Edwardian Town Hall off gritty Cambridge Heath Road, this is definitively off the tourist trail. But nip inside, and you'll find yourself transported from the heart of Hackney to the lap of luxury. This isn't indulgence of the stuffy, old-fashioned sort, though: Town Hall has won numerous awards for its architectural marriage of cutting-edge contemporary design and national heritage.

Each individually styled room uses original vintage pieces to complement the designer bathrooms and kitchens, and is flooded with natural light. On top of simply stunning design, the Town Hall Tea Lady will mix you a martini, the Michelin-starred chefs will make you dinner in your room and the house goldfish will keep you company.