"I stayed one night at the Radisson Blu on Mercer Street, and here's my full report. You're welcome.
Arrival. I got a very warm welcome at reception. The hotel was quiet, so they asked which floor I'd like. It made no difference to me, but I appreciated being consulted. Being asked your preference is the mark of a good hotel. That and the hand towels.
Location: perfect. It's a very short walk to the middle of Covent Garden. You're in the thick of it without being trampled by a living statue.
The room. It's compact, like most London hotel rooms these days. Pound for square foot, London hotels are now basically capsules with a kettle. But it's well designed and, crucially, it's light. You can actually see things! Most modern hotels light their rooms like a Bond villain's interrogation suite, so this was a real treat.
The bathroom. It has everything you need: nice robes, proper bath sheets, a good overhead shower plus a handheld one, and good-quality toilet paper. I always notice the toilet paper. It tells you everything about an establishment's values.
However, I should be frank about the toilet itself. When seated, it's tight. Very tight. Your knees are roughly in negotiation with the sink and the shower. The finish is excellent, though, so at least you're cramped in style.
Air conditioning. It's confusing. You press up or down and it shows you the current room temperature, not the temperature you've asked for. So you keep pressing, thinking nothing's happening, and before you know it you're in the Kalahari. I cranked it up and spent the night slow-roasting like a Sunday joint.
TV. A good selection of channels, and you can cast YouTube from your phone. Very modern. Very much appreciated.
Wardrobe. The hanging space, fridge, safe and tea and coffee station are all in one unit. Hanging shirts while dangling sleeves into the drinks area is a bit of a balancing act. There is a hairdryer, and there's also a clothes steamer. I'll be candid: I tried to dry my hair with the steamer. I realised fairly quickly. Not quickly enough.
Tea and coffee: superb. There's a kettle and a proper espresso machine. And, ladies and gentlemen, there was plenty of milk! My eternal hotel gripe is two thimbles of UHT for a grown man's tea habit. Not here. Cartons and cartons. I had cup after cup. I felt like a king. A well-hydrated king.
Little touches. There were cans of water in the fridge and two more by the bed, which was a nice touch. The fridge also has room to chill your own drinks. There's a lovely retro alarm clock radio, and the lighting is easy to control. My favourite discovery came late: the reading lights fold out of the headboard. I only found them at the end of my stay, but they're beautifully designed. Like finding a secret compartment in a Bond car.
The bed. It's comfy for one, and I'd guess it's a queen. For two, it would be far too small. If Lorraine had been with me, there'd have been a territorial dispute by midnight. The quilt was tucked in so tightly my feet felt strait-jacketed, and the bed seemed a bit short. To be fair, that's probably me not being used to it rather than the bed's fault. I should have untucked it. Lesson learned.
Value. It was about £275 for the night, booked through Booking.com, and breakfast wasn't included. It's not cheap, but this is Covent Garden, not Cleethorpes. For the location and quality, I'd call it good value.
Verdict: 8 out of 10. It's light, well located and well equipped, with excellent milk provision. Just mind your knees in the loo and keep away from the steamer."
