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A new breed of small designer hotels has risen up to meet the needs of
savvy travellers who don't want to splash out exorbitantly every time
they jet off for the weekend. Here's our round-up of some great bargains
to bed down in, each for under €160 per night (some restrictions
apply, so check prices in advance).
HOTEL
JOSEF PRAGUE
This hotel - set around a beautifully landscaped central courtyard - is
just on the outskirts of Prague's Old Jewish Quarter, and is a calming
counterpoint to the teeming city that surrounds it. An easy walk from
the Charles Bridge and Wenceslas Square, it's an ideal location for tourists.
In keeping with the Czechs' great love of 20th century design, its interior
is thoroughly modern: stone-clad bathrooms are divided by glass partition
walls and all rooms are equipped with the very latest technology (from
modems to the most up-to-date stereo systems). Its 110 rooms all have
high- speed Internet connections and satellite television, plus DVD and
CD players. There are also some special rooms equipped for disabled travellers.
The restaurant/bar has an amazing glazed frontage that opens out onto
the garden/terrace, which is modern and sleek in its design, in keeping
with this uber slick residence.
Cost per night: From €158
Book through: www.octopus4easyJet.com
Address: Hotel Josef, Rybná 20, 110 00 Prague 1
CAESAR
HOTEL LONDON
This contemporary and stylish hotel is in a quiet part of Queens Gardens,
just a few minutes walk from Hyde Park and Marble Arch. The 160 bedroom
hotel is now open following a multi- million pound redevelopment. Each room
has been carefully designed to provide a very relaxing and comfortable environment,
with modern wooden furniture, specially designed headboards with stylish
chrome fittings and bright fresh colours. The fabulous light features within
the hotel lobby entrance introduce the guest to what can only be described
as the unique 'Caesar experience'. Dine in style, savour the wines and the
innovative international cuisine in the XO Restaurant, which has 80 covers
and is open daily except Sunday. There's also the XO Bar, a smart but fun
cocktail bar, that's perfect for a nightcap or indeed meetings. Fashionable
Notting Hill and Mayfair are also nearby.
Costs per night:From €155
Book through: www.octopus4easyJet.com
Address: 26-33 Queens Gardens, London, W2 3BD
FIRST
HOTEL VESTERBRO COPENHAGEN
The First Hotel Vesterbro opened its doors in May 1999, as the first newly
built hotel in Copenhagen for more than 15 years. It is a contemporary
and deluxe property that brings elegance and comfort to new levels. Being
centrally located by the amusement park Tivoli, Central Station and Town
Hall, everything is within easy reach. The interior of each room is classic
and clean, with Spanish cherry wood furniture and parquet floors. They
also include air conditioning, voicemail, data ports, mini bar, a safe
and cable TV. Besides the 403 rooms there's an inner courtyard for relaxation,
an IT centre and a superb restaurant and bar with extensive wine list.
It's also just a few streets away from Strøget, with its shops,
cafes, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. And what's more you couldn't
choose a better time to visit this beautiful city - with it's thriving
café culture, buzzy nightlife and nearby beaches.
Costs per night: From €130
Book through: www.octopus4easyJet.com
Address: Vesterbrogade 23-29, DK-1620 Copenhagen
ARTHOUSE
HOTEL GLASGOW
A product of Glasgow's Millennium era status as a city of avant garde architecture
and design, the aptly named ArtHouse Hotel - located in the art district
of Glasgow's city centre - fuses classic Scottish décor with colourful,
risqué design. It retains its original stained glass windows but
accentuates them with bright purple velvet wallpaper. The lobby's atrium
is exceptionally bright and reached via an iron cage elevator. Designer
Ranald MacColl is responsible for the guest room design, which swaps Edwardian
severity for vivid colours and high ceilings. Original oak panelling is
still in place. The hotel has 65 bedrooms, two restaurants (the ArtHouse
Grill being one of Glasgow's busiest) and two bars. It also has two versatile
meeting rooms, making it a great stop-off for business travellers, as well
as those in town for the culture, shopping and atmosphere of the ArtHouse.
Cost per night: From €155
Book through: www.octopus4easyJet.com
Address: 129 Bath Street, Glasgow
HÔTEL
HI NICE
Acclaimed for its urban concept décor - which has caused a stir
in some more staid quarters - the brand new Hotel Hi was a collaborative
design effort by the avant garde talents of Matali Crasset, Ron Orb and
Jerome Olivet. The hotel really pushes the boundaries of design, to amazing
effect. There are concrete walls, embedded with loud speakers, as well
as a "virtual" revolving door and the lobby - tiled with cement
blocks - has a configuration of "interfacing" chairs - some
facing each other, some side by side, all making you feel as though you've
somehow travelled to outer space. The e-shop sells articles, books and
CDs and the 'Happy Bar' - at the centre of the hotel's atmosphere - revolves
around a hot-air balloon style basket, suspended in air and used for DJs
and video screenings. Hi Food serves a variety of meals and snacks 24
hours a day.
Cost per night: From €145
Web: www.hotel-hi-nice.cote.azur.fr
Address: 3, Avenue des Fleurs, 06000 Nice
THE
GLASSHOUSE EDINBURGH
Contemporary in style, The Glasshouse, which just opened a couple of months
ago, has successfully combined man- made and natural materials with rich,
spicy tones all of which complement the unique glass bathrooms and dramatic
floor to ceiling windows, creating a feel of space and light. The modern
glass architecture of this new hotel incorporates the façade of
the 150-year-old Lady Glenorchy Church, creating a perfect balance between
the modern luxury of the future and the beautiful designs of the past.
A rooftop garden provides a secret haven for guests to enjoy peace and
tranquillity throughout their stay and offers a bar with views over this
beautiful, historic city. Located at the foot of Calton Hill in the heart
of the city centre, The Glasshouse is next door to the Edinburgh Playhouse
and just a few steps from Princess Street and Edinburgh Castle.
Cost per night: €155 in July, normally €185 at w/e
Web: www.TheEtonCollection.com
Address: 2 Greenside Place, Edinburgh
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