The Drayton Court Hotel

Built in 1894, the Drayton Court hotel and pub has plenty of character and history. Former Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh worked in the pub's kitchens in 1914, and the hotel has been used as a set in such films as the 1951 Oscar winner The Lavender Hill Mob, after which some of the rooms have been named. The current incarnation is as a high-end, modern boutique hotel within the ornate Victorian façade, with original architectural features lovingly restored to complement stylish contemporary furnishings such as tufted leather banquettes and gilded mirrors in the lounge areas. The pub -- run by the Fuller's chain -- is similarly stylish and historic, and, in the warmer months, the beer garden surrounding the hotel is one of the largest in the London area. The hotel is popular with groups and families, but also couples who appreciate the boutique rooms, proximity to the airport, and the less frenetic location.

The Drayton Court hotel is on the main road in the leafy West London suburb of Ealing, the surrounding area has a handful of small shops. The Heathrow Connect (not the Heathrow Express) train stops every day except Sunday at the neighboring West Ealing station, making it easy to reach for those who need to be near the airport. Pitzhanger Manor, Ealing Studios, and Ealing Broadway Shopping Center are all nearby, as are the University of West London and Brent Valley Golf Course. From West Ealing train station, Oxford Street in the center of London can be reached in under 30 minutes; a tube ride is longer, when the trains aren't running. Kew Gardens, a beautiful and historic botanical garden, is 30-minutes away on the bus. Osterley Park and Manor, a National Trust Georgian house with its own impressie grounds -- is 15-minutes away by car. For golfers, West Middlesex Golf Club is about 15 minutes away by car. The hotel has free parking.

Individually decorated rooms at the Drayton Court are modern and spacious, chic and stylized, while still taking advantage of original Victorian features. Eye-catching design elements include film studio lights that double as ambient lighting and beautiful herringbone wood floors. In bathrooms, Victorian style sinks are juxtaposed with Hollywood-style mirrors. Standard rooms have walk-in rainfall showers, while suites have claw-foot, free-standing bathtubs; most bathrooms have monochrome tiling, as well as robes and slippers. Beds are queen-size and have quality linens, and the windows have French wooden shutters. The best views look out onto the sprawling pub garden, and rooms are impressively sound-proofed. All rooms include tea, biscuits, and coffee, the latter of which comes with a French press. A large security door separates the rooms and guest lounge area from the pub.

The Drayton Court is also home to an historic pub, whose sprawling beer garden is one of the largest in the area and is packed in the summer. Public events are held throughout the warmer months, many aimed at families and children. The gardens are a good place to wind down with a beer in the evening, and weddings are often held outdoors under the wooden arches. The hotel doesn't have a gym or swimming pool on-site, but guests have free access to a nearby fitness center, which also has a pool. There are three event spaces, all of which are fully licensed. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi and parking.