There was a time when a business trip meant a motorway hotel, a lukewarm breakfast and an evening spent wondering whether the Columbo omnibus meant company entertainment. Fortunately, those days appear to be disappearing.
When my wife Lisa and I travelled to Leeds for an overnight stay recently, I had a conference to attend the following day in the city. Rather than make a rushed early-morning dash from the North East, we decided to travel down the evening before and make a short break of it.
Our base for the night was The Met Leeds, one of the city’s most iconic hotels.
Situated just a stone’s throw from Leeds railway station, The Met occupies a commanding position in the centre of the city. First opened in 1899, the Grade II listed building has long been a landmark for visitors arriving in Leeds, its distinctive terracotta façade and grand Victorian architecture offering a reminder of the city’s industrial prosperity.
Like many historic hotels, The Met has undergone significant refurbishment in recent years, but what struck us immediately was how successfully it has retained its character.
The grand staircase, vaulted ceilings and original architectural details remain at the heart of the building, while contemporary styling brings a freshness and sophistication that never feels at odds with its heritage.
After a friendly and efficient check-in, we were soon making our way to our room.
The accommodation reflects the wider philosophy of the hotel. Rather than attempting to disguise the building’s Victorian origins, the designers appear to have embraced them. Original proportions, large windows and period features combine with comfortable furnishings and modern conveniences to create rooms that feel distinctive rather than generic.
Having arrived in Leeds after a full working day, neither of us required much persuasion to abandon any ambitious sightseeing plans. Instead, we headed downstairs to explore the newly introduced Gott’s Bar & Kitchen, which has become the social heart of the hotel’s recent transformation.
The restaurant has been designed with the same balance of heritage and modernity found throughout the building. The atmosphere is relaxed but stylish, busy without feeling hectic, and equally suited to hotel guests, local diners and business travellers seeking refuge after a long day.
The menu places a clear emphasis on locallysourced produce and international flavours. We feasted on Nerano linguine and the Gott’s speciality parmo accompanied by a glass of wine while taking in the surroundings.
Following a comfortable night’s sleep, our plans diverged.
I set off into the city for a day of networking while Lisa embarked upon a spot of retail therapy.
Leeds has built a formidable reputation as one of the North’s premier retail destinations and its compact city centre makes it remarkably easy to navigate. While I spent the day moving between meeting rooms and conference halls, Lisa was free to explore the city’s shops, arcades and department stores at a considerably more enjoyable pace.
By late afternoon, both of us had accumulated enough miles on our feet, which meant returning to the hotel felt rather like coming home.
We settled into the bar with a well-earned drink and reflected on our very different days. Around us, the hotel had taken on a new energy as guests returned from work, meetings and sightseeing. The atmosphere was lively but comfortable, exactly as a city-centre hotel should be.
The Met had delivered exactly what we both needed: a stylish place to stay, a comfortable place to unwind and a reminder that mixing business with pleasure is sometimes a very good idea indeed.
For more information, www.leedsmet-hotel.com