New Woman

NW was lucky enough to be invited to stay at Roomzzz in Leeds recently. 'Lucky' because this new concept of hotel is genius and thoroughly indulgent. Instead of just a boring, crampt old hotel room, at Roomzzz you get your own apartment style studio which is more Carrie Bradshaw than motolodge.

For pretty much the price of a regular hotel room you can relax in your lounge, office area, kitchen or vast bed area depending on which 'apartment' you opt for. We were staying on the top floor, with room enough to swing a good 30 cats in. Giddy as schoolchildren we skipped between the different zones, bounced on the gorgeously soft bed and generally enjoyed the sense of space and luxury we never get when we're travelling with work.

Seriously ladies, this is the future. No more compromising with your man about who gets the most space in the wardrobe, not having enough space to get ready for a night out or wishing you could just make youself a proper cup of tea in a proper kitchen. Roomzzz has got it all. In fact it's got far more than your average flat; so we're moving in permanently. Hurry up and build them all over the country pleazzzze.

Times Online

ROOMZZZ... hmmm, a bit of a modish name, this, even in booming Leedzzz. And the website doesn't dispel the doubts. "Roomzzz is choice-led not design-led or pretentious," it says. Hmmm, again.

First impressions of these "luxury serviced apartments", doubling as hotel rooms, aren't too promising. Our taxi from the grey hyperactivity of Leeds station takes an "Integrated Transport Corridor" to an unprepossessing inner-city area scattered with multi-storey "lifestyle developments".

Roomzzz Central, with its 109 apartments, is the bigger of the two Roomzzz sites (the other, with 22 apartments, is down the road). It looks smart, even swish, but anonymous.

We step inside, however, and things quickly improve, with welcoming smiles from the efficient young women at the front desk. We take the lift to the seventh of the 11 floors, unlock our door and are taken aback by the sense of space.

The apartment is large enough to live in, never mind stay a single night. The unit is divided into three areas: living, kitchen and bed. Wooden floor, cream leather sofa and armchair, bookcase, flat-screen TV, fridge-freezer, cooking hob, toaster, washing machine, microwave, dishwasher, pots, pans, plates, wine glasses... "Blimey," says my wife, "this is more than we have at home."

There are interesting Moroccan and Persian restaurants near by, and the city centre is 15 minutes' walk away. But it's drizzling outside, the front desk keeps a file of takeaway menus - the pizzas look good - and Mr Patel's shop next door has a decent Valpolicella at £3.99.

The pizzas are delivered, we sit at our glass-topped dining table, grapple with the clumsy ("stylish," says my wife) cutlery, discuss what to expect from the bed's "body-hugging memory foam" and reckon that we've entered into the modern spirit of the place remarkably painlessly.

The bed delivers a good night's sleep - must get some memory foam - until lorries start trundling around outside before 6am. And the bathroom has an excellent power shower, although the ceiling lights leave my face in shadow, which makes shaving a challenge.

For breakfast, we could make our own (Mr Patel opens at 7am), but settle for good-value £5 "snack packs" from the front desk: fruit juice, cornflakes, cereal bar, yoghurt and apple, though sadly no kipperzzz.

Bottom line: Standard apartments from £59 a night. Stephen McClarence paid £89 for a large corner unit.
Best thing: Smarter-than-home-feel
Worst thing: Location
Access all areas: Wheelchair access to lifts and apartments

Need to Know:

Roomzzz Central, 2 Burley Road, Leeds, LS3 1JU
0113 2330400
http://www.roomzzz.co.uk

Room: 9 out of 10
Service: 9 out of 10
Value: 9 out of 10
                                                                                  

Booking.com

"Close to city centre, light clean and really nice room, staff were very helpful, overall great experience and when back in Leeds would definitely stay again."

"Absolutely everything. Comfortable, convenient. Saved a fortune on eating out with the self-catering facilities. Nothing was too much trouble for the staff. Very conveniently situated a short walk or bus ride to the city centre. Thoroughly enjoyed our four days there. Also - late check out on Sunday, guests allowed in rooms until 10pm etc etc"

Laterooms.com

"Fantastic room... spacious, clean, comfortable and trendy. Just what we were looking for. Excellent value for money. A great stay. "

"Top Notch - what more can I say - excellent value for money. The rooms are truely excellent - well appointed with every convenience: kitchen with top appliances, dining table, work desk with free broadband and free telephone. Beds are excellent - one of the best nights sleep I've had - far better than Mariotts and Hiltons, in which I do stay. Staff and management have excellent customer service skills. There is secure underground parking for which I recommend you pay the extra £5, but you have to pre-book this in advance as it is limited. As it is really a serviced apartment - you do need to take your own provisions, i.e. breakfast. You are fairly close to the centre of Leeds and not far from many take-aways; there is a gourmet pizza take-away next door (which takes credit cards). This venue is recommended if you are in Leeds for several nights or more - you can really make it your home from home - the staff even do your washing up for you!!!!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."

Tripadvisor.com

"Gorgeous. Spot on. The apartments are bigger than a hotel room. More light, more space, more furniture and a kitchen. Friendly reception staff. (tripadvisor.com)"

"A fantastic concept that is going to be big. The apartments are bigger than a hotel room. More light, more space, more furniture......and a kitchen! Friendly reception staff. 10 storey block just on edge of City Centre. Stayed here in Dec 06 and again now in March 07 and the place is still immaculate and clean. Excellent value for money -suit business traveller and leisure breaks. Now opened are a grocery shop and gourmet pizza place on ground floors which is great because there are no other shops very near. Wine bar/restaurant opening in May. We will be coming here again. Well done Roomzzz, please can we have more cities....?!!!"