The Rookery - London

The Rookery is a haven of calm in the heart of Europe's busiest financial centre. Tucked away in a tree-shaded lane off Cowcross Street in fashionable Clerkenwell is The Rookery, a charming row of 18th century houses, restored to create this delightful small hotel. Inside you will find period charm. Polished wood panelling, stone-flagged floors, open fires and genuine antique furniture give the place a homely atmosphere: more private club than hotel. Each of the 33 rooms are different and are named after people who actually lived in the buildings over the last 250 years. All rooms are fully air-conditioned and have free broadband connectivity. The Rookery has the atmosphere of a private club, appealing enormously to visitors doing business in the Square Mile. The oak-panelled Drawing Room and Library can be booked for meetings over breakfast, lunch and dinner. Delicious breakfast croissants are baked on the premises, though not in the 18th century bread ovens which still survive below stairs. Just outside the Square Mile of London's financial district, it is a few minutes walk from St. Paul's Cathedral and The Bank of England. It is an area with a rich heritage and a vibrancy matched by the fast-moving action of the City. From the Lloyd's building to the Barbican, from Smithfield Market and Hatton Garden, to the Tate Modern at Bankside, The Rookery is conveniently placed for all that is happening in one of the world's biggest cities.

Situated in fashionable Clerkenwell amongst some of the city's trendiest eateries, the Soho of the East is the nickname for this buzzing area. The Rookery is representative of the area's appealing blend of historic and hip.