“And you’ll find free cheese and wine in the Z Cafe from 5 pm until 8 pm,” said the smiling receptionist as she led me to my room.

Reminding me of a Parisienne Courtyard, they’d stacked the Z Cafe full of free tuck, and most welcome after a day of meetings, debates and speaking.

They were offering more than just cheese and wine. It was a smorgasbord of continental treats. Humus, olives, and other tasty nibbles. 

After dumping my stuff in my room I relaxed with a full-bodied glass of Malbec, read a couple of chapters of my book, and soaked up the atmosphere. Looking around I saw other solo travellers, and couples either sat in secluded booths or at the long wooden table, laughing and enjoying the free fare.

Z Hotels are new to me. This one formed from a series of converted townhouses in Gloucester Place, London is brand new. Spotlessly clean. Cozy and inviting. Such a change from the functional dullness of Travelodge and its soulless mediocrity.

For a similar price Z Hotel offers quirky urban luxury. Wooden floors in the rooms inject character. Large queens sized bouncy beds with thick quilts and crisp white sheets invite you to snuggle in and watch a Sky Movie on the gigantic televisions.

The rooms are small, but the fresh design leaves you with a feeling of space. Perhaps the way they separate the bathroom, with its large walk-in shower, from the sleeping area with a frosted glass partition adds to the sensation of scale.

Only 10 minutes walk from Marble Arch or Marylebone Station it provides you with a good central place for a business or leisure visit.

The chatty waitress insisted I have another glass of wine before they closed the free bar. Later I retired to bed for a comfortable night’s sleep.

With free wifi, and the free cheese and wine, the Z Hotel Gloucester Place offers the promised urban luxury at a good price. My only niggle was there was no bedside light. Your choice was either the bright main room lights or darkness. I found putting the bathroom light on, illuminating the bedroom through the frosted glass was a better alternative.

I didn’t eat breakfast in the hotel, but as I wandered through the Z Cafe courtyard the following morning I saw a plentiful spread of cold meats, cereals, pastries and bacon rolls.Tempting as it was to linger and enjoy food and coffee in such a welcoming place, more meetings beckoned and I set out into the cold London morning air thinking the Z Hotel has found a place high up on my preferred hotel list.

With sites across London and in Liverpool and Glasgow I’m sure I’ll be back for more of the delicious Malbec soon.

What do you think?

Have you stayed in a Z Hotel? What did you think? Are the rooms too small? Did you enjoy the Z Cafe? Leave a comment and let me know.