Malmaison Hotel, Edinburgh

My brother’s room in Edinburgh University halls is a lot more pleasant than my dingy first year cupboard room at Manchester... however I was still very glad to be staying at the luxurious Malmaison Hotel for the night. Located in Leith, a district in Edinburgh that has recently undergone a transformation, the Mal hotel is part of a stylish cluster of lovely restaurants, bars and galleries along the waterfront. The building itself is a 19th-century former Seaman's Mission and oozes with history.

We were in the 'concept' room, a beautiful brand new spacious room decorated with the utmost care to evoke the beach and summer memories. The room, number 117, was so new the smell of paint could almost be detected in the air, and everything sparkled with freshness. With muted striped walls, matching comfy armchairs, a woodland coffee table, mirrored wardrobe, high tech TV and hanging retro photographs... the room seemed fit for a queen. The place was so big, our huge King size bed could neatly be tucked in the corner to allow space for all the other glamorous amenities. I felt I should be entertaining in such a commodious suite!

My favourite features were the Nespresso coffee machine and gorgeous vintage tea set that were available for our use.

The bathroom was minimalist and chic with a large bath and sink and a selection of sweet smelling Malmaison toiletries. It was here that I discovered the ultimate high tech invention... after my hot shower in the morning I stepped out to a miracle on the mirrors... all steamed up apart from two large rectangular sections that remained pristinely clear so I could still see perfectly in them, an unbelievably useful gadget that gave me quite a fright!

Being so new, there were a few teething problems with our room, no glasses for water and a few issues with the hot and cold taps in the morning but these were soon rectified and the staff were only too happy to help out, everyone was polite and friendly and very attentive, keen to make our stay as special as possible.

Supper is served downstairs in the elegant bistro. First we sat in the plush bar to sample the cocktails... and I can say from my ample cocktail drinking experience, that these drinks were mixed to perfection. The raspberry Bellini was particularly good, and looked stunning too.

I have eaten in the Malmaison London before and Edinburgh was not dissimilar in style, a glorious menu of British classics with particular attention to good quality meat and local Scottish produce. We tried a few quirky starters, the crispy frog legs with sauce gribiche and the chicory, walnut and Strathdon blue salad. Both were beautifully presented, and exciting for the palate. I was proud of myself for eating the frog legs and surprised to find them quite tasty, or maybe that was just the talent of the Mal chef!

The mains were extravagant and rich and we were glad to have left room by resisting the bread. We tried the Mal burger, the ‘St Brides’ coq au vin with pommes puree and the amazing aged entrecote steak (a meat feast for my starving student brother). Everything was delicious, and there were no complaints around the table, in fact everyone was very quiet concentrating on the food entirely. Quick mention also to the hand cut fries that were a huge success with this group of discerning chip critics.

Amazingly we had room for pudding, and ordered a creme brulee with spiced Madeleine and baked Alaska flambee to share between the three of us. The brulee disappeared almost instantly and was a definite hit. The flambee looked sensational arriving on fire (intentionally of course) and was life threateningly sweet, and couldn’t quite be finished despite our efforts!

Retiring to bed after supper was very welcome as I was exhausted after walking around Edinburgh all day. Our bed, aside from being huge, was exceptionally warm and cosy and ultra soft, perfect for freezing Scottish nights.

It is difficult not to gorge yourself on the breakfast, and I would have if I hadn’t eaten such a big supper the night before. There is endless choice if you opt for the continental, a spread of favourites with fresh fruit, vanilla infused yoghurt and cereals as just a few of the treats on offer. I ordered a bacon and sausage sandwich which was perfectly cooked and very tasty, I could tell that the meat was of a high quality. To drink we were brought fresh orange juice and large frothy cappuccinos.

Every time I visit a Malmaison I fall more and more in love with this chain of luxury hotels, they have a great philosophy and welcome every guest with open arms, making every stay extra special. If you are visiting Edinburgh I cannot recommend this hotel highly enough, if you are lucky the concept room might be available to try.

Visit the MALMAISON website here for more information and booking.

Scarlet Hotel, Cornwall

A weekend out of London was just what I needed and the Scarlet Hotel provided a luxurious refuge for the night. Located in Mawgan Porth in Cornwall, a blissfully remote and quiet area on the coast. The Scarlet prides itself on offering a simple but beautiful grown-up hotel with the highest eco standards. When we arrived on Friday evening the welcome put us instantly at ease, a porter took our bags to our room and we were offered a drink. After a swift tour of the hotel, it became apparent that the Scarlet caters for one's every need, alongside the inviting spa there are numerous relaxation rooms, and places to curl up with a book or have a comforting drink.

Our room opened out onto the cliff edge with sun loungers overlooking the beach. A lovely Queen-sized bed placed centrally was surrounded by all the essentials, a sizeable desk, snazzy white TV (that took a while to work out) and two comfortable velvety chairs. The open plan bathroom was found round the corner, with a large bath and gorgeous toiletries.

After a quick freshen up, a bounce of the bed and an outfit change, it was time for dinner and I was intrigued about what the Scarlet restaurant had in store for us. The restaurant is quite “zen”: very spacious and facing the sea with an airy feel. The waitress explained that dishes change daily and there is a strong focus on local and seasonal produce. I was amazed that an entirely new menu is created every single day, an impressive feat for the head chef.

We were treated to a lovely bottle of house white. Our starters then appeared very promptly considering how busy they were on a Friday night: Butternut, artichoke & apple cannelloni for me and Cornish duck, artichoke and duck egg for my guest. The menu explained the dishes in the simplest form while they arrived exquisitely ornate and complex. The duck consisted of a single ravioli filled with duck meat placed precariously in an artichoke soup with a poached duck egg, a strange but yummy combination. My cannelloni had been carefully assembled and looked like a work of art on the plate.

My main course: Venison, wild mushrooms, garlic cream potato was one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. The meat was simply to die for, even though I asked for it slightly more well done than is standard, it was juicy, tender, flavoursome and utterly delicious. I asked myself, ‘why do I not eat venison more?’ My friend tried the monkfish with pickled turnip and confit potato that looked divine and she seemed equally delighted with the taste.

We were thrilled with our puddings, which we chose very carefully from the appealing list. The Chocolate cappuccino with pistachio biscotti was too tempting to resist but was a little too rich for me. My favourite was the local berry meringue with butterscotch... melt in the mouth crumbling meringue mixed with sweet butterscotch sauce and fresh berries.

Our adorable waitress offered to bring us tea to our room, and after choosing a DVD from the vast collection at reception we wandered down to find a silver platter with fresh mint tea and a plate of assorted fudges, the perfect end to the evening.

I woke feeling refreshed and calm, the silence of the countryside almost eerie to me as a busy Londoner. Fresh coffee was brought in to us at 9am and we sat for a blissful few hours watching a film and sipping our drinks in bed.

Breakfast the next morning was just as good as supper and I was amazed to find I could fit it in! A selection of fruit and pastries, wonderfully nutty homemade granola and a traditional English breakfast plate with Kernow sausage, dry cured bacon, hog's pudding, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms. Already placed on every table is a bottle of apple juice from the Cornish Orchards, a lovely alternative to orange juice.

I could bore you for ages about the fun things we tried at the Scarlet... highlights of the trip included walking the hotel dog Jasper down on the beach, splashing about in the seaweed hot tub outside with cocktails, and experiencing the facials and massages at the hotel spa.

I was so sad to leave, I felt totally relaxed at the Scarlet (helped by the lack of phone and internet signal) and the special attention to detail really makes a stay there unforgettable. I will definitely be visiting this heavenly hotel again.

The Scarlet Hotel is located at tredragon road, mawgan porth, cornwall, tr8 4dq. Visit the website and book here.

Fox & Anchor hotel and restaurant, Clerkenwell

The Fox and Anchor is tucked away on Charterhouse Street in Farringdon, an area that never ceases to amaze me with its endless supply of original fun places to eat, drink and hang out. Unlike most gastro pubs in London the F & A also caters for stay-over trips as a mini hotel making it a perfect home away from home. Character it has in abundance, a bustling gloriously English pub with a top notch and cosy dining room at the back, and six lavish rooms upstairs.

Squeezing past a group of happy drinkers, we followed the kind waiter up the small staircase to our room. The door swung open and ahead a deluxe suite waited patiently and beautifully for us to try out all its amenities. We were staying in the Market Suite, perhaps the most extravagant of the six, with a spacious separate living room and mini terrace. We walked round to discover a plush sofa and working desk, a king size bed, two plasma TVs with sky, DVD player and Bose speakers, and best of all a stunning bathroom area with an enormous free standing copper bath, two sinks, a large walk in drench shower and a detached loo; stylish Miller Harris toiletries were conveniently placed for our use. I found the whole room truly breathtaking, especially considering the bustling little pub that it sits above. Each of the rooms are named after a London location (Barbican, Smithfield, St Pauls, Charterhouse, St Bart’s and the Market Suite) and are decorated accordingly and uniquely, with a large silkscreen print of the place above the bed.

Once I had examined and admired every fascinating feature of our room we wandered down for dinner. We were seated at the cutest little alcove table, intimate and romantic, lit by candlelight with elegant art deco vases arranged around us. The staff in the pub are helpful and friendly and made us feel immediately relaxed. The pub space is limited, but they utilise it well with wooden tables occupying every gap; in one corner a jazz duo gently strummed some familiar standards. I found the ambience, complete with the music quite idyllic, exactly the right kind of setting for an enjoyable meal.

When I couldn’t decide on a white wine, our waiter bought three tasters from his recommended bottles, a kind gesture, we settled on a light French variety that was delicious and very drinkable. With the chilled wine came a complimentary snack, a little bowl of chewy salty and very yummy pork stratchings, homemade on the premises, with a little dish of spicy English mustard to dip into. Another waiter came to reel off a long list of delectable specials, but we decided to go for choices from the menu. To start: scotch egg & curried mayonnaise (£6.50) and summer salad of merguez & rocket (£6.95) and for mains: the fox and anchor burger with chips (£15.50) and Camden town beer battered cod, chips & mushy peas (£14.50). The portions were very generous and the ingredients fresh and of high quality.

My salad was exquisite, a wonderful combination of salty spicy sausage with peppery rocket, and the most delicious vinegary dressed... apparently the scotch egg was very good too! Our mains came swiftly, I noticed the waiters enquire at each of the tables regularly if everything was alright, an attention to detail that I always appreciate - impressive considering the restaurant was full to the brim. My burger was delicious, made from the finest meat with crispy bacon and melted cheese and a bowl of the best goose fat chips, thick but perfectly cooked. The cod looked just as fresh, accompanied with a hefty portion of chips and peas. The meal was faultless but all the dishes are very rich, and looking through the menu there aren’t many lighter options.

Desserts came immaculately presented in pretty dishes: I had a very naughty Eton mess, piled high with strawberries, cream and super sweet meringues, calorific beyond belief but totally worth it. My friend had the apple and blackberry crumple that arrived steaming hot with a dollop of creamy vanilla ice-cream. We were offered digestifs but retired upstairs to our boutique suite, the envy of all the other diners!

I slept blissfully, the bed was adorned with the softest, bounciest pillows and duvets. I was overjoyed in the morning when I got to make a splash in the epic bath, fast running and powerful taps ensured the vessel was filled within minutes and it was surprisingly comfortable once in. Breakfast had less of the cosy charm - the pub, now empty felt a ghost of its former self, tables were bare and the sound of last night’s laughter was long gone. Needing to get off to an early appointment I went for breakfast just after 7am. The morning menu is a meat feast, I wasn’t too hungry so just opted for a large mug of Earl Grey tea, but perhaps it would have been nice to have something a little more continental if it had been available.

It sounds silly but I couldn't help feeling a little like Eliza Doolittle as I wandered through the early morning streets of Farringdon, past Smithfields market and the tall dusty buildings. I had a happy skip in my step after an absolutely fabulous stay at the Fox & Anchor. You’d never think from the exterior that this venue is so magical, luxurious and special inside. It is worth visiting either for a hearty meal and a tankard of F&A real Ale, or for a luxurious night’s sleep. With weekend rates starting at only £115, this hotel is much more worthy of your money than a far inferior room in the centre of town.

115 Charterhouse Street, City of London EC1M 6AA020 7250 1300, visit website and book here.