The BrewHouse is a frilly pelmet-free zone

Utter the words "romantic break" and most hotels offer you a four-poster and a swirlycarpet. Refreshingly, The Brew House in Tunbridge Wells manages to feelintimate despite being a frilly pelmet-free zone. Set in the heart of thehistoric Pantiles, with its designer boutiques, antique shops and artgalleries, what you get inside is not what you expect from its traditionalGeorgian exterior – it’s a bit like stumbling across a Damien Hirst in themiddle of a Monet exhibition. The lobby and restaurant (traditional and locallysourced dishes) are white, white, white, with oversized vases, chandeliers andleather banquettes. There are only 10 rooms, all very chic and each obeying theking-size bed, Egyptian cotton sheets, muted colours and plasma screen rule;and each bathroom the wow factor law of walk-in showers, glass which frosts atthe flick of a switch (hours of endless fun), Philippe Starck-inspired fittingsand Hermes goodies. Rooms only from £75; weekend rate from £125, including breakfast (www.thebrewhousehotel.net; 01892 520587)

Grazia out Tuesday 13th April 2009