London Heathrow Airport (LHG): Approximate driving time is 30-40 minutes and distance is 14 miles (22.5 kilometers).

The Heathrow Express train and black taxis are available for transfer from the airport to the center of London. The London Underground’s Piccadilly Line also serves all Heathrow terminals and takes passengers into central London.

The extensive London Underground system (the Tube) connects the hotel with the rest of central London within 20 minutes. The Underground station closest to the hotel is Gloucester Road. There is also a wide choice of buses. The hotel can order black taxis on request.

This hotel has 910 guestrooms, all of which have been refurbished to a high standard with contemporary design. Carpets, walls and bedspreads range in tone from pale fawn to dark beige and furniture is blond wood throughout. Beds feature duvets and five varieties of pillow are available from a special pillow menu. All the bedding is crisp white 100 per cent cotton. Desks have international plug sockets and modem connections, satellite TV and video game consoles. All rooms are accessible via express lifts and rooms on the higher floors offer outstanding views across London. White tiled bathrooms have detachable shower heads and heated towel rails.

Cromwell Tavern - Decorated in a traditional Victorian pub style, this busy bar serves real ale, draught beers and cocktails. A buffet lunch and an a la carte dinner are also available, with menus featuring traditional British pub food. Dinning chairs and tables are mixed with comfortable leather sofas. A number of TV screens are dedicated to sport. Visitors are welcome, but the bar only opens past 11pm for hotel guests.

The Forum Room - This buffet style restaurant seats 210 and is decorated in contemporary style with wooden floors and furniture and bright modern artwork on the walls. Popular for breakfast, the Forum serves the usual Continental and English breakfasts as well as a traditional Japanese breakfast. On selected evenings, the Forum hosts a variety of lively entertainment such as the Latino Experience and the Sunday Jazz Brunch.

Amenity highlights: The modern business and conference center features 10 purpose built suites complete with the latest conferencing facilities. Sports fans should head for the Tavern Bar where several large television screens show all the big sporting events. Guests also have exclusive use of the 24-hour fitness center. The Consortia restaurant has a garden terrace for al fresco dining.

Insider tip: This is the tallest hotel in the UK with 28 floors. Rooms on one of the top floors have incredible panoramic views over London.