Sabi Phagura heads to South Yorkshire to experience the luxury of the boutique city centre property.
Most of us fall into the trap of only visiting places which are popular with the masses, the kind of destinations that make a song and dance about their presence. And while these spots are in their right as intriguing as they sound, sometimes it pays to set your sights on lesser known places.
Inspired by plazas of Barcelona, Leopold Square is arguably Sheffield’ most sophisticated location. The square with its solid bronze benches and a central water feature is surrounded by a boutique hotel, bars and restaurants. It’s bustling with crowds of all ages at the weekends, but with events spread out throughout the year, this place becomes an electric party haven. And that is how my friend Nita and I were greeted during a recent visit to the area and a stay at the boutique Leopold Hotel. We were transported back to our university years as we squeezed through throngs of people with overnight bags in tow.
But the minute we stepped into the hotel foyer, things were calm and devoid of any of the noise just feet away. Built on the former site of a Grade II listed boys grammar school, this chic abode offers a quirky yet luxurious place for a glass of fizzy, a bite to eat and a good night’s sleep. The imposing building has been sympathetically restored to retain its charming architectural character. And it goes further to keep history alive with touches of memorabilia. Images and photographs keep the hotel alive with tales of schoolboy antics and life as it used to be – all of which have been donated by former pupils.
Today, the 90 ensuite rooms are uniquely finished with a no-fuss interior teamed with clean bright colours. But it’s the mezzanine suites which really stand out here. The uniquely double height suites take advantage of the vast old-style classroom windows straddling both floors which allow for plenty of natural light. Meanwhile, the lounge area was just the place to take the weight off the feet and sip a Nespresso coffee.
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