Name of hotel: The Cranley Address: 10 Bina Garden, S. Kensington, London Web address: http://www.thecranley.com Dates: 11/23-11/28/2004 Price: $1250. for 5 nights, incl breakfast and taxes for upgraded room. Got a great internet deal- room would normally go for about $400 a night. Tube stop: Either S. Kensington station or Gloucester Road

Loved this hotel! Upscale, charming boutique hotel with 39 rooms. We had a superior room with a king sized canopied bed. High end linens, both foam and down pillows provided. Very pretty antique furniture in dark woods - traditional british look. Beautiful modern bathroom, two good sized closets, room safe, terry robes/slippers and umbrella. Hotel has no breakfast room, continental breakfast is brought to the room - choice of juices, coffee's, pastries, cereal, yogurt. Every afternoon tea and scones are served from 4:00 - 5:00 and every evening at 7:00, champagne and canapes are offered - both served in the pretty lobby/lounge and both complimentary. One thing that bothered me about the room is the lack of a water kettle as I like to make a cup of tea before bed. Room service was happy to bring it (no charge) but I found it annoying to have to have it brought to me.

The hotel is in a fantastic neighborhood, right off Old Brompton Rd. There are tons of good restaurants within a few blocks. Victoria & Albert Museum is a 5 minute walk and Harrods is a 10-15 minute walk. Area has lots of commerce (shops, cyber cafe, other hotels) yet it's quiet and not frantic like Picadilly. Easy to find taxi's on the street.

Note: Though hotel has an elevator, you have to walk up approx 8 steps to reach the lobby, so not a good choice for those who can't walk up the flight of stairs.

Candice NYC