Merchant Hotel.

Occupying a palatial Grade A-listed former bank in the Cathedral Quarter, The Merchant Hotel is a study in architectural contrast. The original building houses the Victorian wing, where rooms feature silk wall hangings and period antiques, while the newer extension shifts toward sleek Art Deco decadence. Its centerpiece is the Great Room Restaurant, a soaring space with a massive domed ceiling and original plasterwork that hosts traditional afternoon tea and fine dining. For a change of pace, Bert’s Jazz Bar offers 1930s New York vibes and live music nightly. Relaxation is centered on the roof, where a glass-fronted gym and a hot tub provide panoramic views over the city skyline. Between the world-class cocktail bar and the subterranean nightclub, it functions as much as a social hub for locals as it does a retreat for travelers.