The New Ellington Hotel, Leeds

Spacious executive room at The New Ellington, Leeds

The New Ellington

It’s a late Friday night when we wearily alight at Leeds Central Station from London and make the 10-minute walk to a quiet street in the city’s business district to check into The New Ellington Hotel.

But as soon as my husband and I step into the invitingly lit, open-plan reception and bar, we immediately perk up.

Low ambient lighting and a sprinkling of tea-lights create a seductive atmosphere. Sumptuous aubergine drapes swathe the windows, with matching velvet bar stools and mismatched chairs and sofas. The furnishings feature plenty of different textures – suedes, fabrics and leather - in muted browns and purples with splashes of colour. The zebra-effect chairs at reception are so cool I want to take them home. The overall effect is chic and stylish.

The Gin Bar is the only one of its kind in Yorkshire
The New Ellington

While the walls are lined with black and white images of jazz greats, in keeping with the hotel’s jazz theme (it’s named after Duke Ellington, who played in the city over 50 years ago), I wonder then why an annoying club anthem is blaring out the sound system, entirely incongruous with the surroundings. This is bleakly accentuated by the relative emptiness of the bar.

Nevertheless, after a swift check in, we decide to enjoy a drink in the Gin Bar, which claims to be only one of its kind in Yorkshire.

Scouring its menu reveals an impressive selection of 16 different types of gin, plus wines, spirits and champagnes. But head bartender Theo Christie, dressed in a dapper suit and tie, takes us under his wing and suggests we try a cocktail. It’s hard to resist his enthusiasm and charm.

I opt for a non-alcoholic beverage called the Berry Cup, a refreshing, blood-red, vampire-looking fix made of seasonal berries, cranberry juice and lemonade topped with a skewer of berries.

For my husband, Theo recommends an off-menu classic called the Sidecar, combining cognac, lemon juice and Cointreau (orange liquor). My normally rum-swilling husband is so impressed, he orders a second, much to Theo’s delight.

Comparing himself to experimental celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal, Theo reveals: “I like to deconstruct drinks”, offering us two spoons bearing a wobbly, mayonnaise-like substance sprinkled with brown sugar and a mint leaf. It’s a mojito in edible form, declares Theo. I sniff the offering suspiciously, take a tentative lick, and squirm. Surprisingly, my husband slurps both spoonfuls with gusto.

At midnight, we decide to turn in and head to our spacious, second-floor, executive bedroom. I throw myself on the bed (it’s about 2m (6ft) wide) seductively laden with pillows and flanked by a suede headrest that soars to the ceiling.

Dark wood, shutter-styled sliding doors obscure the windows (which in the morning, I discover, reveal lacklustre views of other buildings). Elegant fringed lampshades, two funky red suede chairs, a table, desks, a small, lighted wardrobe containing soft, fluffy bathrobes and hot tea- and coffee-making facilities including a stylish Nespresso machine ensure we have every comfort we need. Well – almost: the mini bar is strangely empty.

Jazz themed hotel
The New Ellington

I’m impressed with the zeitgeist-inspired inputs below the wide-screen TV for an iPod and lap top. There’s fast, free, wireless internet access and pre-loaded iPods, Wii and Xbox are available to borrow but there’s no time to play - it’s time to hit the sack.

The next morning, after a fantastic night’s sleep, I jump into the brightly lit, mosaic-tiled bathroom offering dinky L’Occitane en Provence toiletries. The bathroom is a bit on the small side too but I’m won over by the rainforest-effect shower.

We head downstairs to the hotel’s basement restaurant, and I find myself thrown back in time somewhere between the 1920s and 1950s. Beautiful glass lamp shades, tassled light fittings, glass beaded curtains, art deco paintings and suede booths and tables make this one of the most sophisticated settings I’ve ever enjoyed for brunch.

The menu features a welcoming mix of options such as grilled chicken caeser salad, homemade pancakes, pork sausages and mash to steak, salad and chips.

I decide to opt for the smoked salmon and scrambled eggs on toasted brioche (£7.95) and my other half orders full English breakfast (£12.50).

Both appear artfully presented on hot plates, but we find out that there's susbstance behind the style. My eggs are light and fluffy while my husband’s black pudding is declared to be the “best ever”.

Unfortunately, the music choice was a let down once again, with intrusive garble from a local radio station rather than soft jazz.

Fans of this musical genre may be disappointed with the tokenistic nods made in its direction by this jazz-themed hotel. However, for a smart, friendly, city centre property located just a few minutes' walk from great bars, restaurants, clubs and shops, The New Ellington certainly hits the right notes.

The New Ellington
23-25 York Place
Leeds, LS1 2EY
Tel: 0844 815 9838.
Prices start from £155 per night for a superior double (two sharing).