Best of British

New Woman - 01/12/2007

You don’t have to stay at home when all your spare cash has gone on Auntie Jean’s foot spa. With little imagination a UK break can feel a world away.

The City Stop
SWAP: NEW YORK
FOR: LEEDS

Why? We’re not trying to kid you that the Big Apple isn’t the ultimate shopping experience, but even the budget flights will set you back at least £200.00. So Leeds it is, the exciting cosmopolitan city that’s gaining a rep as the Knightsbridge of the North.

Where to stay: Elegant boutique hideaway Quebec’s is a short stagger from the best shops and bars and has been named one of the finest hotels in the world. Or live it up in a serviced penthouse at The Chambers (Whitehall Road). It’s like having your own NY loft apartment. So Carrie Bradshaw.

What to do by day: Swap the Guggenheim for Leeds Art Gallery for your culture fix, then make like a lady of leisure with lunch in Harvey Nic’s Fourth Floor Restaurant – less brash than Macy’s sweetie! Browse the designer stores, or for quirky, unique buys check out the Corn Exchange.

What to do by night: Tuck into retro food with a twist at the buzzing Room Restaurant – the place to see and been seen. Move onto the candlelit Epernay Champagne Bar in the electric Press complex and finally, wind up on the dance floor at the hip HiFi Club, where an impossibly cool crowd dances all night to Northern Soul and Motown.

Price: A double room and breakfast at Quebecs (theetoncollection.com) costs from £170, but is £105 from 14th Dec 2007 to 13th Jan 2008. A one bed apartment at The Chambers (morethanjustabed.com) is a £110 per night.