Stayed here last night after attending the Carlene Carter gig at the O2 Islington.

Booked this as the lowest of the low rate HHonors stay, and was upgraded to a King Executive room which was comfortable, and resplendent with a box of After Eight and a Borrowers size bottle of red.

The Executive lounge was in alcohol (beer and wine) mode from about 5pm. They seem to have upped their food offering since I stayed there regularly on a Thursday night. Mac'n' cheese, beef kofta, various sandwiches and a cheese platter. Very, very quiet.

Breakfast was offered in the lounge or the main restaurant and we went for the latter. Busy but the staff were coping. Seated by the window we had our morning entertainment in watching the various comings and goings of vans, lorries and cars doing the set up at the Design Centre.

The only downsides were the only Fullers pub in the area being taken over for a private party (and I was so looking forward to a pint or two of ESB) and this morning's rain which curtailed our walk along the canal.