Somewhere to stay: Grey Street Hotel, Newcastle

Any smart city centre hotel with rooms at less than £100 a night has to be worth considering, and Newcastle's new Grey Street Hotel offers a lot more besides. Converted from a bank, it's sited on the very street voted by Radio 4's Today listeners in 2005 as the finest in the country. The hotel, which forms part of a sweeping neoclassical terrace, is contemporary in style, with a popular restaurant and cellar bar. Dogs receive their own welcome pack; just let them know Fido is coming. Double rooms start from £79 (0191 230 6777; www.nichehotels.com).