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district, it’s no surprise that this place looks as if it were custom-designed to please business travelers—the hotel even provides personalized business cards to all guests as a basic amenity. Rooms are a good size for London, with modern bathrooms, big comfortable beds, and neutral coffee and cream colors, with dashes of deep burgundy. Pros: lap of luxury; excellent service. Cons: a bit stuffy for some tastes; The City is quiet at night. TripAdvisor: “friendly and helpful staff,” “very high standard,” “excellent value.” | 5 Threadneedle St., The City | EC2R 8AY | 020/7657–8080 | www.theetoncollection.com | 63 rooms, 6 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator, DVD, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, laundry service | AE, DC, MC, V | Bank

Fodor’s Choice | The Zetter.

££££ | By day, nothing but business suits buzz through the area between Holborn and Clerkenwell, and by night, the ties are loosened and it’s all oh-so-trendy. One of London’s latest “it” hotels, Zetter reflects both personalities. The dizzying five-story atrium, Art Deco staircase, and slick European restaurant are your first indications of what to expect at this converted warehouse: a breath of fresh air (and a little space) in London’s mostly Victorian hotel scene. Rooms are smoothly done up in soft dove gray and vanilla fabrics, and the views of the city from the higher floors are wonderful. Pros: big rooms; lots of gadgets; free Wi-Fi; gorgeous “Rainforest” showers. Cons: rooms with good views cost more. TripAdvisor: “comfortable and well equipped,” “staff were very friendly,” “room was bigger than I expected.” | 86–88 Clerkenwell Rd., Holborn | EC1M 5RJ | 020/7324–4444 | www.thezetter.com | 59 rooms | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator, DVD, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, laundry service | AE, MC, V | Farringdon

THE EAST END

Andaz.

£££–££££ | This swanky, upscale hotel owned by the Hyatt group opened in 2007 and immediately made headlines for its modern, masculine design and unconventional approach; instead of checking in at a desk, guests sit in a lounge while a staff member with a handheld computer takes their information. Rooms are sparsely decorated with designer furniture, and most important, intensely comfortable beds. Most have white walls, charcoal floors, and ruby-red touches. Rooms have Wi-Fi, MP3 docking stations, and “healthy minibars” stocked with nuts, fruit, and yogurt. The 1901 restaurant is exquisite, with marble floors and modern chandeliers, and the champagne bar is popular with city workers. Pros: nice attention to detail; guests can borrow an iPod from the front desk; no standing in line to check in. Cons: sparse decor is not for all. TripAdvisor: “rooms were spacious and immaculate,” “very good mattress,” “great location.” | 40 Liverpool St., East End | EC2M 7QN | 020/7961–1234 | london.liverpoolstreet.andaz.hyatt.com | 267 rooms | In-room: a/c, safe, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, gym, laundry service, parking (paid) | MC, V | Liverpool St. .

Fodor’s Choice | The Hoxton Hotel.

££–£££ | This trendy, East London hotel sits in the eponymous neighborhood and is designed to reflect the funky galleries and small boutiques for which the area is known. It claims to combine a country-lodge lifestyle with true urban living, and to that end its lobby has both crackling fires and cool cocktails, and the comfortable guest rooms have Frette linen sheets, down comforters, and free Wi-Fi. The design throughout is contemporary—but not so modern as to be absurd. There’s still wood furniture and soft carpets. The bar is popular with local office workers, and the Hoxton Grille restaurant combines American steak-house style with French bistro chic. All rooms come with a free healthful breakfast of yogurt and fruit. Pros: cool-looking place; price includes one hour of free international calls; every night five rooms in this hotel are priced at £1, but you’ll need to join the mailing list. Cons: restaurant and bar can be crowded in the evening; area is a bit off the beaten tourist track. TripAdvisor: