Keeley Rodgers enjoys a short stay at The Arch hotel in London

You know you have found the place to stay when you have to be coaxed out of your hotel room.

And in a suite complete with a Nespresso coffee machine, the most comfortable bed plus a television in the bathroom – yes the bathroom – who could blame us?

The Arch hotel is spread across seven Victorian townhouses and two mews houses, in the heart of London’s West End.

While only a four-minute walk from Marble Arch and Hyde Park, it is a world away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street.

Tucked away on a residential street, it is perfect for the shops and for theatreland, just beyond, but remains a peaceful bolthole.

Crucially for visitors from Oxford, it is ideal for the 24-hour coach services to and from the city, and for rail arrivals into Marylebone for passengers using the new Oxford Parkway Station.

It really does not get any easier. And, if you were in any doubt as to the pedigree of the neighbourhood, it is located among some of the capital’s most desirable addresses and opposite a townhouse apparently owned by Madonna. We were definitely in good company. We were greeted with a very warm welcome on arrival and after taking in the eye-catching decor in the reception area, my weary friend and I could not wait to get into our suite.

We were not disappointed. The spectacular Wellbeck Suite comes with a private outdoor terrace, just about enough to tempt us from the beautiful bed.

When we were eventually prised from the suite – only after being lured to the hotel’s Hunter 486 bar – we continued to be impressed.

Despite its intimate feel, the hotel is surprisingly big. Each of the 82 guest rooms and four suites, however, are completely individual, though with no compromise on quality.

On a tour of what it has to offer, we were told the owner designed the hotel to include everything he felt was missing during stays at various hotels across the world.

Every bugbear you thought you had about hotels – being charged for soft drinks in your room, the mirror steaming up in the bathroom, not having the right adaptors to charge your phone – have all been addressed and thought through. Travellers from all over the world are catered for. For example, there is no fourth floor, because it is considered an unlucky number in some Asian cultures.

The design, meanwhile, really does feed the imagination. It took us a while to figure out what the black and white prints in the corridor formed (I won’t ruin the surprise).

Despite its boutique and modern feel, it is obvious a lot of care has gone into making sure it is true to its history.

The Hunter 486 restaurant, for example, is named after the 1950s dialling code for Marylebone and has an air of nostalgic London glamour with a contemporary touch. It features blown-glass chandeliers, statement artwork and even booths for guests who prefer that extra privacy.

There is so much of the design to admire and take in, it took us a while to get round to the menu, but we certainly made the most of it when we did, sampling the hotel’s very own Mojito with a twist.

Hats off to head chef Gary Durrant who, along with award-winning food writer and broadcaster Henrietta Green, has created a menu to remember.

Oxford Mail:

Inspired by ‘best of British’ recipes, ingredients and produce, there are plenty of delights to choose from. I went for pan-fried scallops with chilli jam and mango salsa to start with, while my friend chose baked prawns with tomato and garlic sauce.

We then went for a peppered loin of venison with beetroot purée, turnip and potato gratin, along with a roast rack of lamb with braised peas, baby carrots and mint.

The lamb was baked in a stone oven, which is on display for guests to see, and was cooked to perfection.

Visitors this autumn can also choose from a range of creative game dishes.The Martini Library was the perfect lounge area to retire to after a scrumptious meal washed down with a delicious bottle of red.

Once again, the next morning we had to be forced out of our suite to get to breakfast, though, once again, it was so worth getting up for.

It is safe to say I’ll be making a return trip to The Arch. Though, to be honest, it took me enough effort to leave in the first place.

THE FACTS

* The Arch London is at 50 Great Cumberland Place, Marble Arch, London, W1H 7FD.
* Prices start from £205 for a deluxe room and from £499 for a suite.
* For reservations call 02077 244700 or visit thearchlondon.com
* This autumn, Hunter 486 is celebrating game season, with chefs serving a different game dish every fortnight until December 13.

Foodies can feast on top-quality game dishes such as roast loin of Royal Park venison and roasted goose breast. Contact the hotel for more details.