No 4 Carlton Hotel: Review of Southampton's boutique hotel

When I visited this award-winning hotel on Thursday night, the receptionist swiftly checked me in, setting the tone for what would be an exceptional stay.

The hallway featured an elegant blue staircase connecting to the two storeys of the Grade II listed building.

The ceiling's globe-like lamp illuminated the way to my ground-floor room, one of the hotel's best ones.

The Duchy - an executive king room with a luxurious bath - is spacious yet cosy. A quick adjustment of the air conditioning made it just perfect.

The wood on the ceiling and walls added an elegant touch.

The hotel has recently won an award for the design of its rooms and suites, and I could see why.

The room provided more than just comfort; a complimentary fridge revealed a delightful array of refreshments - water, wine and Starbucks coffee. Crisps were also available.

A bowl of Ferrero Rocher was placed on the table, much to my delight.

However, in the absence of a bar or restaurant, I resorted to a nearby takeaway for dinner.

I devoured my chicken doner wrap better than a food demolition expert in my fancy hotel room - I felt the irony of that moment.

After that, the sight of the bath was irresistible - even for a non-bath enthusiast.

I immersed myself in a sea of tranquillity while watching Friends on Netflix. 

I got out, got into bed and as night went on, attempts to doze off were frustrated by the excitement of my new surroundings. 

However, after a few hours, sweet sleep finally took over.

Morning brought a shower-time drama - the bottle of shampoo and body scrub was nearly empty. With some impressive squeezing skills, I got hold of the last drops.

I got dressed and while I checked the morning news, another lovely surprise awaited - a knock on the door delivering a continental breakfast box.

It contained freshly squeezed orange juice, grapes, a kiwi, a cinnamon swirl, and a croissant, accompanied by strawberry jam and orange marmalade - the real Paddington dilemma.

I opted for the latter, it wasn't quite like its Portuguese counterpart but was very tasty nonetheless.

How much does this luxury cost?

A retreat at this charming, family-run hotel will set you back a minimum of £225 a night.

My room being one of the priciest comes with a £300 bill.

The bed, a cloud-like heaven; the room, a cosy sanctuary; breakfast, a delicious start to the day.

Just a small note: I wish the room's table was slightly bigger.

Had there been two of us having breakfast, there wouldn't have been enough space.

This luxurious experience might be a one-night affair unless your wallet is accustomed to such price tags.

But for those in Southampton seeking a top-notch bed and breakfast experience, No 4 Carlton is the place to go - a classy hotel that will make you feel like a million bucks.