Dakota Deluxe, Leeds, Yorkshire

A five-minute walk north of the railway station, amidst the major shopping, restaurant and commercial districts, it's central but is tucked down a quiet side street. It also sits mid-way between the regenerated River Aire and canal-side areas, and the new cultural hub of the Northern Quarter (both under 15 minutes' walk). You're spoilt for choice, but top picks would be: shopping at the Victoria Quarter, culture at Leeds Playhouse and dining at Michelin-starred The Man Behind the Curtain.

By car: 1 hour from Manchester or Sheffield, 2 hours from Birmingham, just over 4 hours from Edinburgh. There is no on-site parking but a 25% discount is offered at Q Park at The Light Centre. Valet parking available on a pre-bookable basis at £30 per night.

By train: Leeds station is a five-minute walk from the hotel with direct services from Edinburgh (3 hours), Newcastle (1 hour 30 minutes), Manchester Piccadilly (1 hour) and London Kings Cross (2 hours 15 minutes). Book trains to Leeds.

The hotel oozes a sultry style that softens what could otherwise be a smart but characterless, tower-block four-star. Monochrome colours, low-level lighting and cleverly divided spaces create a feeling of intimacy; velvet-covered and leather chairs give it a clubby feel; mirrored wall panels and black-and-white photographs of Hollywood stars cast an exclusive air.

Surprisingly for a smart hotel, there are not many 'extras' - no guest lounge, although the ground-floor bar is extensive with quieter corners plus a pavement terrace, and no gym or pool (guests have a discounted day-pass to a nearby leisure centre). However, there's a sexy Champagne bar and a first-floor clubby 'Salon Privé' with a heated terrace and live music at weekends. Valet parking is handy but comes at a price. Otherwise, there's a discount at the nearest public car park.

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Salon Privé
• Heated terrace
• Live music
• Room service

Rooms feature the same, masculine, style with grey-on-grey colours, large velvet headboards, soft woollen throws, smooth furniture and tan-leather or velvet chairs. The decoration is minimal - framed music scores or sketches of feathers - while bathrooms are sharp and modern, and mostly shower-only.

Room types: Classic, Executive, Deluxe and Balcony rooms, Signature Suite, Grand Deluxe Suite

Key amenities: ensuite with rainfall shower, TV, slippers, hairdryer, ironing facilities, tea and coffee facilities

The basement grill restaurant is, as you might expect, heavy on steaks but also offers a good choice of brasserie-style dishes often with an exotic twist: wild bass with tempura Lindisfarne oyster, for example. Vegans are not forgotten; they have their own menu.

Dakota Grill: Open for dinner Monday-Thursday; lunch and dinner at weekends. À la carte mains from £17.

Salon Privé: heated terrace, live music, cocktails, afternoon tea, bar food. Open Friday and Saturday. Cocktails from £10.