What was until recently the Midland Bank designed by Sir Edwin `Ned' Lutyens in 1924 has metamorphosed into a splendid butterfly with 250 rooms over nine floors. Choose a `Cosy' room (there are a dozen different types) facing Queen Victoria St. The Ned counts a full seven restaurants in the erstwhile Grand Banking Hall, where there is daily live music.
The spa with enormous swimming pool, sauna and hammam in the basement is a delight. Beg, borrow or steal to get into the Vaults lounge and its adjacent bar with 3000 original safe-deposit boxes.
