As I walked along Cromwell Road towards the elegant cream-painted Victorian building that is the Ashburn Hotel, I felt eternally grateful I was staying there and not in the architecturally derelict 900-room monstrosity opposite.

The Ashburn has had several incarnations, first as an embassy, then as a mediocre two-star hotel before being completely gutted and turned into a boutique four-star hotel which reopened in May 2007. 

In fact the Ashburn is now everything a luxury townhouse hotel should be, with every care taken with the design and great attention paid to detail. 

Check-in formalities over, I'm offered a complimentary 'welcome drink' which arrived almost before I had time to sink into one of the soft aubergine-coloured sofas in the lounge.

Although it's actually brand new, the lounge is in keeping with the period of the property, with hardwood parquetry flooring, rich fabrics and ornately patterned wallpaper.  There's twenty-first century technology in the shape of a flat-screen TV on the wall above the fireplace, and the corner bar is well stocked with a good range of spirits.

It might have been tempting with a new 'boutique' hotel to do something quirky with the rooms.  But they haven't.

Bedrooms are stylishly decorated in pale golds and beiges, and the curtains, cushions, armchair and the lavishly padded headboard behind our twin beds have a touch of contrasting burgundy.  On the walls,  black-and-white photos of modern London scenes, and on the beds, crisp white linens, very plump pillows and goose-down duvets.

The 38 rooms come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and although ours was rather compact, it was well thought out, fully air-conditioned and beautifully lit.  The bedside tables were gorgeously inlaid hardwood - made specially for the hotel, and the desk was similarly styled.   A large flat-screen TV hung on the wall opposite the end of the bed, and I was pleased to find the window opened.

Our bathroom made excellent use of space, having a corner shower and corner toilet, but no bath.  It did have the hotel's trademark sink though - a piece of black granite set atop a curiously shaped glass base -  with a good selection of lovely Gilchrist & Soames "London" toiletries, and bathrobes hanging on the back of the door.

The glass-fronted double wardrobe had plenty of space for clothes and luggage, and the third door kept the fridge (with two complimentary bottles of mineral water), slippers, laptop-sized safe and beverage tray neatly out of sight. 

As a townhouse hotel, the Ashburn doesn't have a restaurant, but it does serve bar snacks, so when I felt peckish at 3.30pm, I decided to order some.  I could have gone back downstairs to the bar - the prices (and menu) are the same - but decided to wait in the room for Himself to turn up.

There is a range of sandwiches to choose from, along with soup or a variety of light bites such as burgers.   If you want something more substantial, there are several restaurants on and around Cromwell Road.

Exactly eight minutes after I ordered it, my toasted ham and melted cheese club sandwich was delivered.  It cost £4.95 and was not only delicious, but excellent value and the service was first class. 

I missed out on the complimentary glass of champagne which is served each evening in the lounge between 7 and 8pm, as I had to go and meet Himself who'd been held up on the other side of town.  I'd forgotten my tube map, so asked the Concierge for one.  He supplied me with a map, and gave me spot-on directions to my destination - which is more than some have been able to do.

When we returned to the hotel, our beds had been turned down and a little turndown gift sat on one of the bedside tables.   Not only is that a nice touch, but it also makes guests feel valued.

As our room was right on the Cromwell Road corner of the hotel, I'd expected it to be rather noisy.  It wasn't, and we had a very comfortable night.

In the morning we found a complimentary copy of The Telegraph outside our room, and we made our way down to the basement dining room for breakfast.  The buffet-style continental breakfast (also complimentary) was more than adequate, and very fresh.

What we like:  The first class staff and the pretty bedrooms.

What we didn't like:   Although the hotel only reopened in May 2007, the stair carpet between the ground floor and the basement was already showing signs of heavy traffic.  Something other than carpet might be more practical between these levels.

Verdict:  If you yearn for a London hotel that's small enough to give every guest the personal attention they deserve but big enough to have everything a luxury townhouse hotel should have, look no further than the Ashburn Hotel.

Booking:  Book your stay at the Ashburn Hotel 

Practicalities:
Address:  Ashburn Hotel
111 Cromwell Road
London SW7 4DP

Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7244 1999
Web:  www.ashburn-hotel.co.uk/ 

Getting there:  The hotel is five minutes walk from Gloucester Road tube; on arrival turn left out of the tube station and left again onto Cromwell Road.  Walk past the shopping arcade and Waitrose, and continue past the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum.  The Ashburn is directly opposite the Holiday Inn, on the corner of Ashburn Gardens and Cromwell Road.

For smokers:  Smoking is not permitted in any public areas, but the hotel does have six rooms for smokers - three on the ground floor and three in the basement, otherwise it's outside on the pavement.  The hotel is accessible 24 hrs, and a staff member is on duty all night.

There's a lift to all floors.  Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel.

Published:  29/10/2007