The Rookery in London, England

The Rookery offers two self-serve honesty bars in its lounges, where guests pour drinks and record their own consumption. The Conservatory, Library, and Drawing Room feature open fires, antique furniture, and vintage books available for reading. A resident black cat named Bagheera roams the public areas, adding to the homely feel of the hotel.

Each of the 15 rooms is individually styled with period furnishings, original artworks, and roll-top baths, some with handheld shower attachments. The Sophie Rood room on the top floor has exposed mortise-and-tenon beams, while the Rook's Nest suite offers a two-level layout with a separate sitting room. All rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with flat-screen LCD TVs, Land&Water toiletries, and high-quality linens.

The hotel sits 100 metres from Farringdon Railway Station, with Thameslink and Elizabeth Line connections to Gatwick Airport (40 minutes) and Heathrow. St Paul's Cathedral is half a mile away, and the Bank of England and Museum of London are within a 10-minute walk. Clerkenwell's restaurants, including CERU next door and the Fox and Anchor pub, are steps from the entrance.

Guests order breakfast from a check-box menu and can have it delivered to their room or served in the Conservatory, with options including Brick Lane bagels and freshly baked croissants. The room service menu covers lunch and evening meals, and special diet menus are available on request. Complimentary apples and a teapot with milk are provided daily in the room.

The Drawing Room and Library can be reserved for private meetings, with seating for small groups around open fires. Meeting and banquet facilities include fax and photocopying services, and the 24-hour front desk offers concierge assistance and luggage storage. Key access and 24-hour security with CCTV cover all common areas and the exterior.

Location: 100 metres from Farringdon Station, Elizabeth Line to Heathrow

Rooms: 15 individually styled rooms with roll-top baths and antique furniture

Amenities: Two honesty bars, Library, Drawing Room, and Conservatory with open fires

Dining: Continental breakfast with Brick Lane bagels, room service for all meals

Unique: Resident cat Bagheera, no lift, period building from 18th-century townhouses

Business: Private meeting spaces in Library and Drawing Room, 24-hour front desk