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Almost as soon as I’d posted about Cotswolds88 a negative ( but well-written ) review arrived.

It will only be filled with weekending Londoners if they don’t mind not having a steam shower, not having tea or coffee making facilities in their 300+ per night room and being charged 5 pounds for a small bowl of potatoes to accompany their miniscule main course. Staff are very friendly and polite - just a shame that the ‘hip hotelier’ Marcella has given more priority to the uber chicness of the look of her hotel than to the actual comforts and experiences of her guests. The continental breakfast comprises of 1 piece of toast per person, 1 mini croissant and 1 mini pain-au-chocolat. No yoghurt, no juice, no cereal, no cheeses, no hams. We’ve travelled the world and stayed in some of its finest hotels and frankly this is not one of them. We checked out a day early, feeling disappointed and ripped off. Marcella’s uber-chic hotel did not provide us with the experience of a romantic weekend that we had hoped for.

Pretty strong stuff and as it sounds authentic I’m going to investigate further.

The Leopold Hotel, Sheffield’s newest boutique hotel, is a member of Small Luxury Hotels.

Built on the former site of a grade II listed Boys Grammar Scholl this luxury hotel offers a sophisticated setting, excellent food and exceptional service. The hotel has been sympathetically restored to retain its charming architectural character.

90 en-suite bedrooms offer every modern amenity necessary for the discerning traveller. The Leopold sits on a square within Sheffield’s city centre.

Special prices with Laterooms

Another boutique hotel worth a weekend visit is Cotswold House, a luxury hotel in the Cotswolds introducing big city style into the rolling hills of the West country. A rising Michelin star shines over its restaurant Juliana’s. If you’re inspired to improve upon your own culinary skills you could enrol for a day’s course at Campden Cookery School in nearby Chipping Campden

If you’re looking for a luxury hotel in Paris then try this new boutique hotel in Montmartre. Difficult to find - but worth the effort- the Hotel Particulier Montmartre is surrounded by leafy landscaping and secluded gardens. Book early - it has only five guest rooms. Inside you’ll find modern design with incredible Paris views available from the top-floor miniloft.

Parkes Hotel is a 33 room gem located right around the corner from Harrods in London’s exclusive Knightsbridge. What sets this boutique hotel apart from the competition are its 14 spacious one bedroom suites - ideal if you’re travelling with the family. Parkes was voted Best Luxury Hotel in London by Trip Advisor in 2007 which speaks volumes about the service and attention to detail. If you’re in the mood to splash out on a luxury hotel in London this is one of the best.

Great rates at Parkes Hotel. 

Hip hotelier Marchella De Angelis has opened a design hotel in the beautiful Cotswolds town of Painswick. Cotswolds88 (http://www.cotswolds88hotel.com/) was originally an 18th century manor - step inside and you’ll find an über modern interior decorated with works by photo artists David Hiscock and Leigh Bowery. The 19 luxurious rooms all have en suite bathrooms complete with steam shower and Jacuzzi and bespoke wallpaper that can be bought from the in-house shop. Only 90 minutes from London Cotswold88 is likely to soon find itself filled with weekending Londoners.