Doubletree By Hilton, Hull

Usually when I've been visiting Hull it is to visit the theatre or to get on the ferry. When I have looked around the city in the past it has always been winter time but thanks to the great British weather the early May bank holiday when I visited was the hottest on record and I have to admit, Hull looks good.

Being the UK City of Culture last year has had a big impact on the city as it appears to have been spruced up: there are inviting water fountains and gardens, the Ferens Art Gallery is right in the city centre and free (currently displaying Charles 1 by Sir Anthony van Dyck and a new exhibition on the Clangers and Bagpuss - talk about diversity!), there is a thriving theatre scene with Hull New Theatre and Hull Truck Company, 3 shopping centres and the new Hull venue which opens later this year - a Music and Arts venue with a 3,500 capacity.

Hull does have a certain northern down to earth feel about it, a grittiness if you like, certainly in the people who are friendly, yes there are the Big Issue sellers and there were a few homeless people, but far less than I've seen in other northern cities.

It is worth a visit and would make for a good weekend break as there is a lot to do. With the opening of the new DoubleTree Hotel in the centre of Hull you could not wish for a more relaxing, modern and comfortable hotel.

It is a new build and everything still smells new. The friendly welcome at the reception developed into a conversation about parking (they have their own car park which is free on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights) that the receptionist forgot to give me the hot chocolate cookie biscuit which is the norm when you check in at all DoubleTree's.

My room was light and airy, a quality big double bed, plenty of plug in points for all those devices we take with us these days (though I think they might have missed a point by not having a continental plug socket, what with 2 ferries docking in the city each morning), a large screen TV and a wardrobe that hid the tea and coffee making facilities along with a free safe, iron and ironing board.

The bathroom had a walk in shower and a good range of toiletries. A mist resistant mirror so it never steamed up was an added bonus. The free Wi Fi was fast and dependable.

A lot of new hotels seem to think that if they put in a restaurant under a famous chefs name all will be fine and dandy and it will work - it doesn't, I have dined in several restaurants in particular the Marco Pierre White ones that are in a lot of new hotels and the difference in service and food is as different as Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Thankfully whoever has been in charge of hiring and training the staff at this hotel and in the restaurant has done a fine job. The staff all seemed to want the be there with a "can do" attitude. In the restaurant I have to say that the service was as good as say at The Ivy. High praise indeed but I observed how other diners were served too and all received a first class service.

Perhaps it is the cosmopolitan mix of staff they have, all I can say is that post Brexit they need to hold on to them and the good homegrown staff too.

My starter of salad of goat's cheese and beetroot was tangy and 'moreish' whilst the Alex James Steakhouse Burger had enough melted blue cheese to give me sweet dreams. The Rhubarb and apple crumble served with vanilla ice cream was a sweet temptation that was delicious and tart at the same time. So good I wanted to scrape every bit out of the dish. Attentive, yet unobtrusive, my server was knowledgable about the menu.

Breakfast is served buffet style in the Marco Pierre White restaurant too, but unlike the other Marco's I have eaten breakfast in, the hot food is cooked to an English palate and not an Italian version of what an English cooked breakfast should be like.

Good continental section breakfast was available and you are shown to your table and offered a glass of fruit juice as well.

After all that food there is a well equipped gym on site and for a pre meal drink they have the Lexington Bar which has an outside south easterly facing terrace. I liked the separate lift that gave access to The Lexington - giving it an exclusive feel.

The check out was just as friendly as the check in and on mentioning the missing hot chocolate cookie, not one but two were produced quicker than if she had been a magician's assistant. Magic I suppose which sums up the new DoubleTree by Hilton in Hull.

DoubleTree by Hilton, Ferensway, Kingston Upon Hull, HU2 8NH
Telephone 01482 755500
www.doubletree.com