A rather different offering has quietly appeared on London’s hotel scene. Set in one of central London’s elegant garden squares, the Eccleston Square Hotel has 39 rooms. But that’s not all. The hotel offers ground-breaking technology, all housed in a Grade II listed Georgian building.

Over £6.5 million has been spent on this privately owned restoration project that opened in August 2011. The modern space is decorated in muted greys, white and black with striking feature fireplaces, sleek Herringbone marble floors and contemporary leather and wood-panelled walls.

In the rooms, state-of-the-art interiors have 42-inch Panasonic 3D LED televisions, HD Sky movies and Sky 3D sports channels, 3D Blu-ray DVD players, free super-fast Wi-Fi and free London calls. Rooms are managed by VDA’s Micromaster, an on-line system which controls lighting, curtains and temperature. 3D eyewear and a library of 3D Blu-ray DVD movies are provided free of charge. Naturally, iPads, phones and PC’s can be easily charged or connected to the television via thoughtfully placed docking points. There’s no climbing under the table to reach the socket here.

Every bedroom also boasts its very own iPad2 and every conceivable function or request can be managed from the device – be it room service, spa bookings, shopping guides or even a ‘Boris’ bike.

Although the bedrooms are small, they are exceptionally comfortable. Central to each room are electronically adjustable beds by acclaimed Swedish manufacturers, Hästens. At £12,000 each, they are electronically adjustable and feature relaxing massage programmes. High-spec marble bathrooms have ‘smart glass’ walls which turn opaque at the touch of a button, plus a TV incorporated into the heated, steam-proof mirror.

Throughout the building fresh air is pumped into the corridors and bedrooms, whilst there is electric under-floor heating for the bathroom and corridor areas, and under-floor water heating for the bedroom areas, along with the usual top up air-conditioning heating and cooling. The public areas are even perfumed throughout with an original ‘ESH’ scent.

The small bar and restaurant, ‘Bistrot on the Square’ serves tasty modern European cuisine – including favourites such as salad Lyonnaise and Crab Bisque served with traditional saffron rouille. Its reasonable prices mean it will surely become a hit with the locals. For business, however, there is an adjoining meeting and events space with 3D media wall, for those who like to eat and work at the same time.

Providing a contemporary metropolitan space for the twenty-first century, it’s no surprise that the hotel has been described as ‘an ultra hi-tech urban cocoon.’  Recognising that technology has become a crucial part of travellers’ lives, the Eccleston Square Hotel has prioritised the seamless integration of personal electronic devices, with sparkling results.

Whether you are technically savvy or not, the relaxed but chic environment of the Eccleston Square Hotel (and the fact it’s just a couple of minutes walk from Victoria Station), make it the perfect place to stay for both business and leisure.