But that was then . . . what’s it like these days? We chose base2stay, which opened three months ago and describes itself as a “synthesis of boutique hotel and serviced apartments”. A five-minute walk from Earls Court Tube station and we were there, strolling past Courtfield Gardens and stepping into the tastefully designed reception, where the first thing I noticed was the smell of fresh paint. A hotel that opts for the now ubiquitous lower-case title, installs new furniture and is recently acquainted with a paintbrush . . . was this Clive James’s bedsit with a new colour scheme? Any fears evaporated with the first smiles from the staff. This was clearly a place where service mattered as much as image.

Our room on the third floor was light and spacious with limited-edition photographic prints setting off the minimalist furnishings. A 32in flat-screen TV occupied pride of place on one wall, but even its temptations — pay-per-view films, a “music library”, and free broadband internet access — could not compete with the views of the communal gardens below.

A mini-kitchen with sink, fridge and microwave completed the layout. Oddly, there was no tea or coffee, and certainly no fresh flowers or other touches — a concession to the minimalist ethic, no doubt. The adjoining bathroom offered clean, simple design and Keiji aromatherapy toiletries.

Base2stay, a renovated townhouse, has 67 air-conditioned rooms with a range of options from singles, bunk-bed rooms, through to superior and deluxe doubles. Rooms start at £80 a night, excellent value for such quality in this area.

Judging by the enthusiastic staff training that seemed to be taking place, the hotel is confident of its future — as it should be. (There is talk of another base2stay at Notting Hill.) The hotel has no restaurant, and for breakfast we were offered a base2stay breakfast box of croissants and coffee for £4.95. It looked excellent, but we opted to take our chances on Old Brompton Road, where the Troubadour beckoned. Here, in a London landmark that has played host to Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix among others, we enjoyed superb eggs and coffee for just over a tenner. A throwback to the Sixties, yes — but, thankfully, not one Clive James would recognise.

Bottom line: Les Webb paid £175 for a deluxe double.

Sampling the fare: Take your pick on Old Brompton Road.

What we think: Stylish value in one of the city’s buzziest areas.

Access all areas: Ground-floor rooms available.

Best thing: Looking out on to Courtfield Gardens.

Worst thing: Tube trip home.

Need to know: base2stay (020-7244 2255, www.base2stay.com), 25 Courtfield Gardens, London SW5.

Room: 8 out of 10.

Service: 8 out of 10.

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