The Hotel
Dakota hotel Leeds is the main new hotel outside of Scotland, and Leeds is the perfect place to bring Dakota! It is a 4 star luxury hotel, with great amenities, wonderful style and friendly staff. They call themselves the 'new modern classic' and a 'luxury hotel that Leeds deserves' and I don't think there is a better phrase to use, that really resonated with me. It's taken Leeds a long time and effort to bring itself to be the brilliant city it now is, with brand new bars, and offices, it's truly the city of the moment. The hotel has a bar and restaurant, perfect for single business trips, couples or to visit with friends. The whole place has a chic vibe, almost masculine but didn't feel overdone, it was tasteful, and moody, dark but by no means dreary, and felt very homely. They have fast complimentary Wifi which is just a dream for people on the move!
On the first floor, the hotel has a beautiful bar area, which you can access straight from the street which is a brilliant idea, and makes it more welcoming to the people who find going into hotels a little imposing - always remember, the best bars and restaurants can sometimes be found inside hotels! The bar is large, plenty of places to sit, and during the day it makes a great work space. The velvet chairs were big hit for me, makes everywhere feel much more lush, and the hotel is literally less than a ten minute walk to the train station so it makes it a brilliant pit stop for commuters.
The Room
The room was a generally good size. I personally prefer a medium sized room; it feels cosy and a true home away from home. They offer suites also, but I was in room 311; a standard double room that overlooked the city. The bed was very comfy and had a small work area and a separate table with two chairs. It also boasted two large full length mirrors which will be a big hit for any female! The TV screen was huge, wide screen with an extensive choice of Sky Channels. The colours of the rooms were muted greys, whites, browns, and wood and wool textures, that create a really luxurious vibe. The room comes with drinks facilities, an ironing board, hairdryer and slippers. Little added bonuses like this always make your stay so much easier.
The Bathroom
The bathroom was my ultimate favourite style. Modern, white, black, clean, and very easy to navigate. The shower has a rainfall effect, so soft on the skin, easy to turn on and off and the heat was very easy to alter also; there's nothing nicer than standing under a hot shower after a long day and battling the cold winter weather outside! The one thing I always look at is the toiletries, and here at Dakota they have their own bespoke toiletries which was super cool and smelled very good indeed. There was a ring light next to the vanity which was perfect for make-up touch ups!
Breakfast
After a lovely night's sleep, I was up and out early, definitely too early, but not before I headed down to the lower floor for some delicious food. Breakfast included a hot choice of food and a cold continental buffet with juices, yogurt, fruit, cheeses and gorgeous croissants! The restaurant itself is incredibly stylish, carrying on with the sultry theme, the art work is colourful and it's a nice welcome pop of colour. The staff are very friendly, and hot food is ordered by your waitress. I opted for the Eggs Florentine but there is a large choice of food, and most definitely something for everyone. I also chose some cranberry juice, an English breakfast tea and some delicious sweet pineapple; everything was fresh and delicious. This also becomes their main restaurant at night, and undoubtedly I will be back to test their restaurant food. I have high hopes!
Overall, I rated my stay very high. It is truly the hotel that Leeds did need and deserve, with a nice social vibe but also brilliant for businessmen and women, and really enhancing the city centre. Nearby are many of the trendy bars, next door there is Greek street, which is one of Leeds famous stretches for new restaurants and bars, and a short walk to the main shopping area of the city. It's made me see Leeds in a whole new light, and this for sure has given me a new found love of the city. To book your stay at Dakota Deluxe, click on the link here! It would make a lovely stop for mother's day, a long day of shopping and then a chic stay at Dakota!
*I was a guest at Dakota Deluxe Leeds however all views and opinions are my own.