Two Georgian townhouses on the edge of the River Thames at Richmond make The Bingham hotel, and while the décor is sleek and contemporary, the elegant exterior and internal period features stay true to the history of the Grade II-listed building.

The Bingham was refurbished in June 2006, when the ground floor rooms were sensibly converted into function space, which has earned the hotel considerable popularity as a weddings venue. Elsewhere the refurbishment meant a decorative overhaul of the remaining 15 rooms and public spaces, and what resulted is a trendy boutique hotel. What stands the hotel apart from the generic “boutique hotel” look, are bold additions, such as vast modern glass chandeliers, the use of deep reds and blacks and maintenance of Georgian features, including high ceilings and intricate coving.

The hotel lobby is small and dark and nothing special, but sashay through to the bar, and you’ll find fashionable 30-somethings enjoying champagne and cocktails on comfy sofas or sitting on the balcony outside. Here the vast mirror behind the bar, black and red chairs, and imaginative cocktail menu scream trendy bar, while the high ceiling and floor to ceiling Georgian windows add a touch of class. Service was slick and my Apple Jack (£7.50), one of the hotel’s signature cocktails, containing brandy, calvados, apple juice, ginger beer and lime, was a perfect fresh summer cocktail.

Sitting in the late evening sunshine on the balcony of The Bingham overlooking the Thames in leafy Richmond, London felt a million miles away. But that’s the problem. While this Zone 6 tranquility is blissful for a tube angst-ridden Londoner from Zone 2, it’s a trek from the city centre. Richmond is a salubrious London village with shopping, restaurants and a sprawling park, but the 45-minute journey by tube into central London means it’s only marginally closer to an evening in the West End than Reading or Hertford. That said, there are a number of hotels along Richmond’s Petersham Road that seem to be bustling with guests whenever I pass, so obviously the area is popular with some visitors to London.

This quandary of location aside, once you’ve decided that you’re happy to be based in Richmond, The Bingham will not disappoint.

After drinks on the balcony, my boyfriend and I moved inside for dinner, where the sleek décor continues and black wallpaper, monochrome furniture and a chandelier of glass dollops. We shared the waiting staff with only one other table, so service was swift and attentive. We were impressed with the recommendations from the sommelier, and although the choice of wines by the glass was limited, the bottles, starting from £14 included an imaginative selection listed under descriptions such as “crisp and dry” and “soft, juicy and fruity”.

My starter of scallops with pureed cauliflower were perfectly cooked and among the best I’ve tasted, and the Scottish turbot with aubergine cannelloni that I had to follow was also good - fresh and moist fish with al dente vegetables. My boyfriend’s generous portion of beef wellington was medium rare as requested and came with a tangy wild mushroom sauce. It was surprising we both had room for pudding – pear and plum tart with ginger ice cream and chocolate fondant – both delicious. Local suppliers feature regularly on the menu, although I wasn’t told of any daily specials.

At £23 for two courses or £27 for three it’s not bad value, given the riverside location and quality of the food.

Breakfast in the same room the next day was good – lots of fresh fruit, yoghurt, pastries and cereal included in the price of the room. The Full English, also included in the room rate, could be forsaken for the more healthy smoked salmon and scrambled egg option.

The best hotel rooms overlook the garden and river at the back and consequently cost more than those overlooking the road at the front. All rooms are named after poems written by the authors who inhabited the houses before The Bingham was born. It was nice to read our room’s poem, Baudelaire, in the in-room folder. The first verse went some way towards explaining the smell that I noticed on entry of overzealous use of air freshener: “There shall be beds full of light odours blend…”. Or perhaps not.

The bedroom has three large sash windows overlooking the garden, which has a hammock and lawn and is shielded from prying eyes on the river path by a brick wall. The bedroom décor was, like downstairs, slick, with dark wood furniture, a huge bed, off-white painted walls, mirrors and pleasant art and sculptures. The minibar had free water, and the newspaper I got offered at check-in was also complimentary – a blessed departure from the hotel’s previous policy.

The bathroom had a huge rain-soak shower and whirlpool bath. The bespoke toiletries were pleasant but not worth taking home. The only disappointment was the technology – a snazzy music directory that will let you plug your ipod into the in-room speakers or listen to the hotel’s music collection didn’t work, and I didn’t have my computer to test the internet access (£5/hour or £10/day). There was also digital television and a DVD player.

The hotel has eight car parking spaces charged at £10 per day and has negotiated a 15 per cent discount at nearby spa, Body Experience, for treatments.

The hotel has an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 from Tripadvisor users. The post-refurbishment reviews tend to praise the décor, riverside location and cleanliness but balk at the price.

Bottom line: from £180 including breakfast; from £225 for a river-view room

Best thing: the food, cocktails and terrace on a sunny day

Worst thing: the music system not working

Access all areas: the hotel is wheelchair accessible and there is a guestroom adapted for wheelchair users

Need to know: The Bingham, 61 - 63 Petersham Road, Richmond Upon Thames, Surrey. TW10 6UT; tel: 020 8940 0902; www.thebingham.co.uk; info@thebingham.co.uk

Food: 8 out of 10

Service: 8 out of 10

Room: 7 out of 10

Value: 6 out of 10