Britain's biggest beer festival was always going to be a messy affair.

With hundreds of real ales, ciders and international beers on offer at London’s Earls Court, we were in for a fun – but boozy – time.

So what better way to kick off the weekend than with the calm sophistication of The Rockwell hotel in South Kensington.

In two knocked-through Victorian houses, this independently-owned “budget boutique” hotel is a tranquil destination amid the hustle and bustle of west London.

Just a short walk from Earls Court tube station, Harrods and the Natural History Museum, it is in a good location for businessmen and tourists alike.

And thanks to triple-glazing, we could hardly hear the roadworks and traffic on the busy Cromwell Road after stepping into The Rockwell’s hushed lobby.

It makes a good first impression – restored Victorian features paired with modern touches and contemporary furniture, including well-stocked bookshelves and inviting armchairs.

We ate at the hotel’s Bar One-Eight-One restaurant, which offers modern variations of traditional British cuisine.

The food was simply excellent and at prices that won’t leave you choking at the dinner table (mains range from £12 to £22). My lamb was tender and delicious, but my favourite was the pistachio ice cream – recommended by the waitress and which rivals any in Italy.

The dining area extends to a decked terrace garden – linked to the hotel by a glass bridge – perfect for evening drinking or a lazy weekend breakfast.

The only minus point was that we were the only diners to use the restaurant all night, making us feel like the only guests at a party.

Not only did the lack of people make us feel self-conscious, but it was a truly sad sight to see the waitress clear away untouched tables when the kitchen was producing such wonderful food.

It is a shame, because this restaurant should be a destination in its own right.

Our room was large and well-appointed, apart from the tiny bathroom – without a bath, that is. Its shower was so small I could barely move (and I’m not exactly a sumo wrestler).

But this does not diminish from The Rockwell’s many charms. It is a fresh, classy hotel in a prime location and won’t break the bank – leaving some money over for a pint or two.

The Rockwell, 181 Cromwell Road, London SW5 0SF. Standard double rooms start from £155 per room, per night. For more details, phone 0207 244 2000 or visit www.therockwell.com.