Details of Pembridge Court, 34 Pembridge Gardens, London W2 4DX ref 7024

Managed by vivacious Valerie Gilliat, but supervised by Spencer and Churchill (a pair of vast and presidential ginger cats), Pembridge Court is a 19thC town house guarded by bay trees and just far enough removed from the bustle, buses and tubes of Notting Hill Gate to be quiet. Long-established and much loved by its regular guests - many from the worlds of music, motor racing and antiques- the hotel is very much treated as a home from home. One faithful guest actually went so far as to buy it. Rooms vary in size and cost, but, unusually for a small hotel, those advertised as large are exactly that: substantial enough for a business meeting or a small party if you feel like it, and certainly smart enough and well-equipped enough for either. The smallest room is also honestly described: it is called The Last Resort. TEL (020) 7229 9977 FAX (020) 7727 4982