HOTEL OF THE WEEK.

WHERE AND WHY London's financial district might not be an obvious choice for a spot of out-of-office time in the capital. But we found Blackfriars offered a well-connected base with thousands of years of City history to explore.

The five-star 205-room Hyatt isn't quite that old but its striking white stone building stands on a site once occupied by Henry VIII's Bridewell Palace. Our King room was tasteful and understated with crisp white bed linens and velvet sofa.

The highlight was the skyline view from our top-floor room and waking to sunrise over landmarks like the Shard.

ON THE MENU We started our evening with cocktails at the hotel's plush Latin American-themed Leaf and Cane, choosing two of the venue's tropical, rum-based "concoctions" (PS13/PS16), enjoyed in a quirky outdoor nook created from an old prison cell. Then it was upstairs to the two-star AA Rosette Chinese Cricket Club restaurant.

The set menu (PS78 per person) gave us the chance to try a wide range of treats. Three different kinds of dim sum were followed by a smoked duck and pancakes. For the main we had three choices from set dishes including stir-fried lobster tail.

WHILE YOU'RE THERE Delve into the City's history with a guided tour. Take a stroll along the Thames to the Tower of London or cross the Millennium Bridge to the South Bank for art at the Tate Modern or theatre at Shakespeare's Globe.

WAKE-UP CALL Hyatt Regency London Blackfriars King rooms start from PS300 a night and Regency suites from PS420. hyatt.com | By JONI MANN

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Tasteful decor