Recently I was fortunate enough to win one of the Elle Decoration UK subscriber competitions — entry for two to the Ming Exhibition at the British Museum and a night for two at the five-star Rosewood Hotel in Holborn, London. I ended up going alone as the other person pulled out at the last minute, but it was still worth it and really enjoyable.

Ming Exhibition at the British Museum

Highlighting the 50 years that changed China, between 1400 and 1450, China’s Ming dynasty established Beijing as the capital and build the world-famous Forbidden City. The emperors who ruled this vast swathe of territory used princes to control the regions, and many of the exhibition’s treasures originated from those imperial and princely courts. There were some exquisite objects in the exhibition that have never been seen before. Quite stunning.

Inside the luxurious Rosewood Hotel, London

The Rosewood Hotel was gorgeous and I couldn't fault it, especially the service. It is in a grade II listed building that was previously an insurance company and was beautifully restored by Rosewood.

I checked in at 2pm and they upgraded my room from Deluxe to Premier (two levels above)! It was a gorgeous room. After visiting the Ming Exhibition, I returned to the hotel to work out in the fitness centre. Following a long shower and wrapped in fluffy bathrobe, I took advantage of the champagne in the mini bar before heading to the Holborn Dining Room at 8pm for the most superb supper. Next morning, a delicious breakfast over the newspaper and chilling until check-out at noon.

View from my hotel window with The Shard in the distance

My hotel room - very tastefully designed and furnished

Another part of my room

A Nespresso machine for coffee!!

After a good workout in the hotel's fitness centre and a shower in the luxury bathroom, into the fluffy bathrobe and opened the Perrier Jouet Grand Brut from the mini bar!!

Beautiful bathroom - walk-in shower with mirrored walls and white marble floor

Views of the courtyard of the hotel

Beautiful Christmas arrangements of natural twigs sprayed white with decorations hanging from them

A cabinet of bottles outside the Scarfe bar

The Scarfed bar designed by Martin Brudinski. It is name after Gerald Scarfe, renowned British artist and caricaturist who lent his name and artistic vision where his completed artwork has now been revealed. The bar is a victim of its own success and it's difficult to get a seat in the evenings as it's very popular with non-guests