The Rockwell

On arrival
The white façade of this elegant house and its name, “THe rocKWeLL”, written on the porch in a quirky mix of small and capital letters, immediately stand out on the very busy Cromwell Road.

The double doors standing guard at the hotel entrance lead you to a large lounge, an open area where comfortable sofas sit in front of a bookcase-cum-fireplace and good ceiling height combined with the large bay window lend a feeling of space. The reception desk is located just behind the lounge and to the rear of the lobby is a period staircase and small corridor leading to the rooms and other communal areas. There is a lift to the rooms on the other side of the building.

The lounge décor is an interesting blend of traditional and contemporary combined to create an open, yet cosy, room. A large oak-panelled bookcase with geometric lines housing a fireplace with dancing blue flames, self-coloured beige sofas, wide lampshades, board games, pleasant lighting and warm colours all add to the simple, inviting ambience of the room.

The bar and restaurant are at the rear of the hotel and overlook the terrace. The natural sea green decor and high windows of the restaurant provide for a soft, fresh backdrop against which is served a fusion cuisine with international roots.

The rooms
The most original are the spacious mezzanine suites with their spiral staircases, whilst the other rooms have a much more neutral character, combining light coloured walls, fairly thick, self-coloured carpets and floral-printed curtains and matching cushions.

The wooden headboards have integrated bedside tables whilst the rest of the furniture, in lighter wood, is generally free-standing. The beds have firm mattresses and a self-coloured quilted bedspread.

The décor is understated and comfortable throughout. The largest rooms have a velvet armchair or a sofa and free cable Internet access.

The bathrooms are fairly spacious. They all have a glass-panelled shower cubicle, small enamel tiles and tiled floors.

There are three main types of room: singles, doubles and suites. The doubles come in superior or deluxe, according to their size, or garden, when they have a little terrace with garden furniture. The suites have a sitting area.

24-hour room service is available.

Breakfast
Breakfast is served in the restaurant with a choice of continental buffet or à la carte. The buffet offers an appetising selection of excellent mini-pastries, muffins, different types of bread, dried fruit, fromage blanc, fruit, fruit salad and jams, all nicely presented. The soft colours and view onto the patio make for a pleasant room.