I write this sitting at the table in Suite 404 at Velvet. Listening to my ipod playing on a super stereo drinking Yorkshire tea in my bathrobe, after an excellent night sleep.
Having just spend a few days staying in Marriotts etc this independent hotel is a real breath of fresh air. Purple velvet wallpaper and bright red faux leather sofas in the room that is a duplex with two bathrooms and every amenity one needs.
OK so its in the center of a very gay village, in fact much more gay and in your face than Village in NYC or Boystown Chicago. Not for the faint hearted but so much to look at!
Plenty of taxis nearby at end of Canal St so no problem getting around and car park on next block.
I didn't eat at restaurant but I have heard good things, plenty of local less expensive options.
I'll never stay at Hilton etc whilst this hotel maintains this standard

Really lovely hotel, the service was excellent and I couldn't fault the reception. Lovely clean room and bathroom and a nice tray with tea and biscuits is complimentary. We really could not fault the room or the bathroom or the staff but are unable to give this a full 5 stars because of the noise outside. We deliberately chose to stay on a Sunday night so we would not be kept awake by the party people on Canal street but still, we were awoken at around 3am by some screeching ladies having a jolly laugh about something right outside of the hotel. We had breakfast in the hotel and the waiter who served us was just fantastic, feel terrible because I can't remember his name but he was serving with a lady who wasn't as jolly on a Monday morning. The waiter though was fantastic and the breakfast was really good (opted for a full English) we stayed in the room with a 4 poster - it was divine!