Whoa! Where’s the front desk? Where’s the concierge? You’re really offering graffiti tours? Andaz – the first of a chain of brand new Hyatt hotels in London – is getting brave with its concept. What was until 2007 The Great Eastern Hotel has done away with standard practice: removing all physical barriers, things are meant to be a bit more personal (‘andaz’ meaning personal style in Hindi). And inventive – hence ideas like East End street-art tours and tranny parties (the theme is always resolutely fashion- able). For all that, it’s still a grand old station hotel (and rather corporate, for practical reasons): behind the Victorian redbrick facade lies a sleek, modern lobby, vast atrium and exposed glass lift shafts, which sit alongside original 1880s staircases and stained-glass windows. The 267 five-star rooms (including 25 suites) feature clean lines, dark woods, cream tones and chrome accents, while seven bars and restaurants ably service the needs of the itinerant. But back to that innovation: Andaz is keen that everything is all-inclusive, so extras such as softies from the mini-bar, local calls and WiFi are all free. Perhaps that’s because they now have nothing to hide behind when guests balk at big bills.