The Inspector is charmed by the 'cheapest room' at this London hotel

The Inspector is charmed by the ‘tasteful’ decor and free-standing bath in the ‘cheapest room’ at an 18th-century Richmond hotel (but his breakfast and dinner fail to impress)

• The Inspector pays £150 for a ‘Georgian cosy’ room at the Richmond Hill Hotel in South West London
• His room looks out on The Wick, described by some people as the most beautiful building in the country
• While the decor at the ‘144 On The Hill’ restaurant is ‘bright and cheery’, he finds his steak is ‘flavourless’ 

Because I’ve booked the cheapest room possible (£150) — described as a ‘Georgian cosy’ — there will be no chance of a view or a bath, I tell myself while walking up Richmond Hill past the iconic vista of the Thames, painted by Turner and Constable.

But I still ask if there’s any chance of an upgrade. ‘Sorry, we’re completely full,’ says the man at reception. ‘But how’s your day been until now?’

‘Not great, actually,’ I tell him. ‘You?’

‘Still breathing.’

The Inspector checks into Richmond Hill Hotel (above) in South West London, which occupies a series of 18th-century buildings that have been blended into one big one

And off I go to room 236 where, in fact, (and bless the receptionist) there’s a free-standing tub, French windows and even a balcony. 

I can’t quite see the Thames, but directly across the road stands The Wick, described by some people as the most beautiful building in the country.

Designed in 1775, it was once the family home of actor Sir John Mills, who sold it to Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones before Pete Townshend of The Who bought it. 

The Inspector’s room, a ‘Georgian cosy’ (pictured), is ‘tasteful’ with bare taupe walls, colourful cushions, and a sky blue armchair

The hotel houses 143 rooms, all of which have been freshened up in the past 12 months. Above is one of the Georgian Collection rooms 

Across the road stands The Wick (above), described by some people as ‘the most beautiful building in the country’. Picture courtesy of Creative Commons

Last year, it was on the market for £15 million.

If you are partial to Georgian architecture, then Richmond is bliss. 

The Richmond Hill Hotel (sister hotel of The Grand Brighton) occupies a series of 18th-century buildings that have been blended into one big one. 

It houses 143 rooms, all of which have been freshened up in the past 12 months. 

Mine is tasteful. Bare taupe walls, colourful cushions, sky blue armchair.

Downstairs is something of a rabbit warren, and I pass several conference rooms on the way to the restaurant, now called 144 On The Hill. 

Pictured is the Georgian Suite. Of the hotel’s setting, the Inspector says: ‘If you are partial to Georgian architecture, then Richmond is bliss’

Above is the lounge and bar area of the 144 On The Hill restaurant. The Inspector stays for dinner, and finds that ‘it’s bright and cheery — and bitterly disappointing’

A main course at 144 On The Hill 

It’s bright and cheery — and bitterly disappointing.

My mackerel starter amounts to the tiniest piece of fish sitting in an indifferent sauce, and the £32 ribeye steak is tough and flavourless.

Breakfast is a buffet affair, with powdery scrambled eggs and greasy fried eggs served from huge stainless steel containers.

If you want a decent cup of coffee there’s an extra charge — in my case, £4.50 for a flat white.

And where do we stand on those machines that take an age before your toast drops out — and invariably needs to go back in for a second time? They shouldn’t be here, that’s for sure.

TRAVEL FACTS

Richmond Hill Hotel, 144-148 Richmond Hill, Richmond, TW10 6RW. Doubles are priced from £150 B&B. For more information call 020 8940 2247 or visit richmondhill-hotel.co.uk.

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