Hazlitt's Hotel, London

I booked a week at this hotel knowing nothing about the neighborhood. When I told London friends where I was staying, they all laughed. Soho was at one time a very red light district and there is no question that the trade is still alive and well. But it has undergone transformation and is a very very hip place to stay. Easy access to the tube. Walkable to a lot of tourist sites. There are great places to eat and fabulous jazz clubs everywhere I turned. Even the local pizza parlor had world class jazz performances. As for Hazlitt's, itself, it was luxurious. The bed was heavenly. The appointments, very British and very classy. I loved the reading room next to the front desk. I was there in the chill of winter and loved cozying up on the sofa in front of the fire to read. My only complaint was I wish the bathroom had better lighting. It was very pricey and although well worth it, the US dollar -British pound exchange made it even pricier, which is why I give it an average rating for value. If you have the money, if you're young (at heart), if you love good jazz, then this is the place to stay. The internet access was good (high speed in the room for a daily rate).