Village Hotel Portsmouth, Hampshire

These aren't the prettiest surroundings, but you are right in the centre of the Lakeside North business park, and the harbour is just a ten-minute drive away. Southampton airport is also just 19 miles away. Cosham train station is just a short walk away with a regular service into the city centre. Visit the Mary Rose Museum and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, or go shopping in Gunwharf Quays.

By car: The Village Hotel is 1 hour 45 mins from London, just over 2 hours from Bristol and 35 mins from Southampton. There is private (paid) parking at the hotel.

By train: London Waterloo to Cosham takes 1 hour 50 mins. The hotel is a 15-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride from the station. Book trains to Cosham.

The sleek, black box of a building tells you immediately that there is no history to be found within its walls. Instead, you'll find clean lines, brightly-coloured upholstery, gleaming floors, neon lights and fun pop art on the walls. The bar has de rigueur bare tungsten bulbs and exposed pipework.

Facilities abound. The gym is open 24 hours a day and has all the latest gadgets and equipment, a spin studio, and a full range of classes; there's also a swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. The business centre provides a co-working space. Service is from an enthusiastic young team.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Swimming pool
• Gym
• Coffee shop
• Workspace

• Parking

• Free Wi-Fi

Rooms are fabulous and fun. A perspex wall of coloured stripes decorates the bedroom and shower, while cartoon characters feature on the cushions. Large wetrooms have powerful showers and Espa toiletries. Club rooms have coffee machines, smartphones, remote-controlled blinds, Sky TV and Amazon Echo Dots to order room service or book a taxi.

Room types: Standard, Club

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with shower, ESPA toiletries, TV, free Wi-Fi

The menu is the same throughout the network of Village hotels and offers plenty of pleasing dishes. The Pub and Grill have an all-day dining menu, which includes flatbread pizzas, baskets of shrimp and calamari, burgers, steaks and superfood salads. There's also a popular section for meals under 500 calories.

Pub & Grill: informal all-day dining, American-style food, British pub classics. Open daily 12-10pm. Larger plates from £14.