The Grafton Arms Hotel

London

Tucked down a quiet residential street in Fitzrovia, just moments from Regent’s Park, the Grafton Arms’ slate-grey exterior looks like most of the 3,500 boozers that can be found across London. Inside, however, a magician’s box of tricks unveils quirky animal portraits, a sun-trap of a roof terrace and a menu that takes on a pan-Asian feel. Settle in and order the steamed dumplings (there are 12, so you can share) followed by cloud-soft pork bao buns, a zesty, crispy soft-shell crab and refreshing watermelon and hoisin duck salad. Further surprises are revealed upstairs, where eight bedrooms decorated with soothing greys, metallics and mauves await. Each adopts a different signature wallpaper – we couldn’t help but fawn over Cole & Son’s Hummingbirds, found in Room 4. The breakfast hamper containing freshly baked pastries that appears outside our door the next morning confirms that we’re believers in magic.

Doubles from £185. graftonarms.co.uk

Words by Fleur Rollet-Manus