If antiquated West End luxury isn’t really for you, then the Hilton Bankside (situated a mere stroll away from the ever-relavent Tate Modern as well as London’s foodie heaven, Borough Market) may be the hotel you’re looking for. A new generation of Hilton, the Bankside’s directional design is inspired by Brutalist architecture and a raw industrial aesthetic: no gilded walls and Imperial pomp here. Instead, you’ll find an eclectic and eminently contemporary kind of design that melds classical touchpoints (Chesterfield inspired sofas and chairs in updated shades) with Modernist lighting and interior sculpture. The Executive Lounge in particular is a feast for the eyes with its intelligent and forward thinking orchestration.

Then there’s the Bankside Ballroom, a vast events space decked out with glittering chandeliers of the chicest kind as well as state of the art technology and some impossibly grand staircases for making the wedding reception entrance you always dreamed of. All well and good, but that would be moot if the rooms weren’t up to scratch. Fortunately, that’s not the case – no surprises there, this is Hilton after all. With clean pine accents throughout and a seductive colour palette that fortunately errs away from mundane neutrals – not to mention some lovely mid-century Modern furnishings – every room is a thing of beauty and a wonderful example of how to design hotel rooms that are unobtrusive but also characterful

The Bankside is in a prime spot in terms of local eateries, but you should certainly still consider OXBO Bankside (the hotel’s in-house restaurant) as an option because it’s menu really does rival the capital’s best. Headed up by Executive Chef Paul Bates, OXBO is a relaxed space serving clean cuisine that uses only the freshest British ingredients: watch out for your carbon footprint gurl! We opted for a punchy spiced beef tartar to start and then a succulent duck breast with artichoke puree – pair with a Hoopenburg Bushvine Pinotage for a full bodied winter treat. Oh, and the OXBO also boasts an exposed kitchen, so get to see your dish being prepped from start to finish. Head to The Distillery afterwards for an after-dinner signature cocktail to round off your meal in style. All hail the new Hilton!