Superb hotel visit that hits all the right notes

I remember it well . . . those heady days of the late 60s with some of the greatest music ever. The likes of The Kinks (far better than the Beatles, go on stone me!), Bob Marley and the Wailers and Roxy Music – and then the stellar Rolling Stones.

Back then many of this list of Rock 'n' Roll royalty played (and no doubt misbehaved) at what was then the BBC Building Kensington House in London's W10.

After the BBC moved on it eventually became a hotel – K West Hotel & Spa – and the venue continued to strike a chord with musicians who often stay whilst playing at music venues such as Shepherd's Bush Empire and the Apollo.

Last year K West Hotel & Spa underwent a dramatic interior redesign, whilst retaining that striking 60s facade, inspired by the cult West London hotel's rich music heritage and history of musicians staying at the hotel.

What you have now is a fun and vibrant ambience combined with ultimate relaxation in a prime location in one of London's most up-and-coming districts, Shepherds Bush.

Two minutes walk from this urban splendour is Westfield shopping centre, one of the largest retail destinations in Europe with over 240 shops. Fashionable areas such as Notting Hill, Portobello Road and Kensington are also just a short walk away.

But to be honest I didn't want to leave the hotel during my stay. Driving up to the entrance I was immediately back in that golden era of music with the strains of Lazing on a Sunny Afternoon filling my head.

Welcome at reception was relaxed but efficient and the retro bar was pulling me like a magnet. But off I went to my room for a freshen up. A defining characteristic of all 220 guestrooms is the generous space, with the smallest just under 300 sq ft. Loads of space should you want to stage an intimate jamming session. The rooms are designed to offer a soothing respite from the fast pace of London life, and they certainly do that – with luxurious oversized beds and a calming colour scheme. They have LCD flat screen TVs, sandblasted glass, and original artwork give the rooms a distinctive K West stamp.

At the upper end of the scale, the six spectacular K Suites offer the ultimate experience.

Dramatic walls of glass divide the bedrooms from the lounge areas, which are fitted with Bose surround sound entertainment systems, a 42" plasma screen television and ultra-comfy sofas. Two-metre square beds and aromatherapy associates toiletries are also staples in the suites, and the bathrooms have been fitted with designer Philippe Starck double-ended baths and fixtures.

On the ground floor by the entrance, a tempting bar – The Studio Bar – has a moody, music-infused atmosphere come the evenings. Industrial style pendant lamps hang low over raised tables, and textured silver wallpaper by Dixon & Turner gives the bar a modern edge. Chic black and white artwork depicting musicians hangs above each seating booth.

Even the drinks menu has been injected with some Rock 'n' Roll swagger, with six signature Bourbon Whiskey Cocktails available, plus the quirky K West special 'Pickleback' shot of Jack Daniels whiskey accompanied with a shot of pickle juice. Every Friday and Saturday, top DJs play from 10pm until 2am, while the hotel's expert mixologists create exotic cocktails.

On the mezzanine floor above the bar, the Studio Kitchen is an informal eatery which serves the most amazing food – and considering the venue it won't break the bank to enjoy the food. Among the delights we tasted were: chilli prawns with watermelon salad, fennel, red onion and watercress; asparagus with Bloody Mary jelly, goat's cheese mousee and heritage tomatoes; sea bass with crushed new potatoes, sun blushed tomatoes and baby spinach in a light butter sauce; and some of the best pork belly I've tasted served with chive mash, black pudding, crispy pork skin, kale, apple puree and slipsmith vodka sauce!.

There's a Library Room providing a relaxed, informal and creative atmosphere with Andy Warhol style artwork depicting Amy Winehouse, a tribute to yet another music legend who loved the hotel.

And last, but certainly not least, is the spa element. If you do spend time enjoying retail therapy over at Westfield, a treatment or two here would quickly revive you for the evening.

Awarded the top rating of "5 Bubbles" in the 2014 Good Spa Guide, K West's holistic spa offers a range of exclusive treatments. K Spa introduced the first 'Snow Paradise' to London, which mimics the Finnish experience of alternating between freezing and steamy environments. The unique 'Sun Meadow' offers specialist light therapy to treat SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and there is also a nail bar.

The spa also features a twinkling hydrotherapy pool, sanarium, sauna, dry flotation tank, aromatic herbal steam room and the fully equipped K Fit gymnasium.

K Spa was the first place in the UK to offer luxurious Russie Blanche treatments and products, including the signature treatment which replicates a Russian Baniya Body Ritual.

Aromatherapy Associates and Ytsara products are also used by the highly skilled therapists within the six treatment rooms.

Now you can see why as much as I am usually tempted by retail therapy, I just didn't want to go outside.

Fact file:

Prices start from £125 per room per night, and the K Suites are from £540 per night including VAT. Spa packages are also available and include overnight accommodation and treatments.

K West Hotel & Spa, Richmond Way, London W14 0AX

For reservations call 020 8008 6600 or visit www.k-west.co.uk