BACKGROUND The Ellington opened on September 8 and is the first property to open under the Pantin Hotels brand, which was founded in 2006 by former managing director of Rocco Forte, David Pantin. The hotel is also a member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, the only one in England outside of London. A second Pantin hotel, The Crispin (also in Leeds), is scheduled to open in 2010, and a contract has been signed to build a third property in Krakow, Poland.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? This small boutique hotel is a redbrick new-build property featuring contemporary but cosy interiors with an art deco flavour. There are dark wooden floors throughout the public areas and floor-to-ceiling windows in the lounge facing the street. The décor contrasts the neutral shades of the walls with deep gold, grey, green and blue furnishings upholstered in velvety fabric with oversized patterns.
WHERE IS IT? The hotel is located five minutes’ walk from the main station in York Place, a quiet street in the heart of Leed’s financial district.
HOW MANY ROOMS? There are 35 rooms in four categories including one Suite, two Junior Suites, two accessible rooms, ten Executive, ten Superior and ten Classic rooms.
ROOM FACILITIES The bedrooms come in three colour schemes – red, gold and blue – and all feature a king-size bed with ceiling-high velvet padded headboard with walnut trim, a workdesk, Chesterfield armchairs, a leather-panelled wardrobe (with umbrella and trouser press inside), plasma screen TV with iPod docking station, DVD player and satellite television, a safe, three phones, tea and espresso-making facilities, and a minibar stocked with a selection of snacks and drinks. There is also a recipe for how to make the perfect martini, along with an extra 200ml bottle of Belvedere vodka (£15.50) and a cocktail shaker (if you like it shaken not stirred).
While some rooms overlook the atrium and bar (windows are well soundproofed) others look out onto a courtyard and building behind or onto the street in front. In terms of amenities, the only difference between the room categories is that guests in Executive rooms and above will also find a dessert platter laid out on arrival and, in the evening, a small selection of canapés are delivered courtesy of the kitchen. If guests decide to spend an evening in, the hotel offers a DVD library of around 50 films, preloaded iPods, and the complimentary use of Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii systems. And free wifi is also available to access throughout the hotel.
My compact Executive room bathroom, fitted with white tiling and white fittings, featured a combined bath and shower (with additional rainshower head above), a waffle robe, slippers, Bulgari toiletries and a framed page of sheet music on the wall. (Guests should note that if you want to pull the plug in the sink, you have to push the lever underneath it, which is hard to find if you don’t know where to look.)
RESTAURANTS AND BARS There is a lounge area on the ground floor by reception with cube-shaped coffee tables, armchairs and a piano, which the bartender plays from time to time. In the evenings, soft jazz is played overhead, in keeping with The Ellington’s 1950s-inspired theme with walls decorated in black and white photographs of musical greats such as Ella Fitzgerald and the famous pianist Duke Ellington himself. A double-sided bar separates the Lounge from the Bar at the Ellington, a funky pink-lit space beneath an atrium (with a glass roof which opens to the sky), serving a good selection of cocktails as well as afternoon tea.
Downstairs is the subterranean Restaurant at The Ellington, fitted with aubergine-coloured banquette seating and crystal-curtain hangings. The 56-seat fine-dining venue offers a seasonal “classic modern” menu overseen by world-renowned chef Albert Roux OBE, and an à la carte breakfast (plus buffet) served from 7-10am (Mon-Fri) and 7.30-10.30am (Sat-Sun). While there are limited vegetarian options, I was more than satisfied with a dinner of smooth tomato and basil soup (£6.50) to start, followed by poached halibut with smoked salmon and leeks (£19.50) and a side order of garden vegetables (£3.50). There is also an excellent sommelier (the 22-year-old Igor Huttler) on-hand to advise on wine choices.
BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES There are two meeting rooms (both with natural daylight) on the ground floor: the Boardroom, a panelled room with a long walnut table and plush brown seating for up to 14; and the Wellington Room, suitable for private dining for up to 20 cabaret-style. (There’s also a small terrace outside where people go to smoke.) Delegates can also hire the York Room (the living room of one of the suites) on the second floor in the loft, which is suitable for up to eight people. State-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and wifi internet access is available in all these rooms.
LEISURE FACILITIES There is no gym or pool in the hotel but guests can ask for a jogging map from reception, use Wii Fit in the bedrooms or make use of the fitness centre at the nearby Crowne Plaza hotel, which The Ellington has an arrangement with.
ROOM HIGHLIGHTS The real plus points are the free wifi, use of DVDs, iPods and Xbox/PS3/Wii systems in the bedrooms. The cocktail recipe card and shaker are also nice touches although you will, of course, get a cheaper drink in the bar.
VERDICT The Ellington is a refreshing alternative to large luxury hotels and conveniently located for anyone doing business in Leeds. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious and, even though the hotel does not have a star rating, the service is top-notch.
PRICES Rates start from £190 for a Classic Double room.
CONTACT The Ellington, 23-25 York Place; tel +44 (0)113 204 2150; pantinhotels.com.
