During recent years Sheffield city centre has undergone a considerable redevelopment programme. Since the opening of the Meadowhall Shopping Centre, in the south of the city, the centre found itself in a state of degradation. Numerous shops moved out to the outskirts of the city, feeling it would be more profitable to operate within the 100+ shopping centre. However, beginning with the opening of the multi- million pound Millennium Galleries complex and the Winter Gardens, Sheffield city centre became one massive regeneration project. No more so is this epitomised than with the building of the Macdonald's St. Paul's Hotel. Found in what was once just a small gap between the Peace Gardens complex to the back and the spectacular Winter Gardens project to the left, it is unimaginable to think that a 161 bedroom, four star hotel could ever exist in such a space.

We checked in at 4pm and were taken straight up to our rooms. Me, Mum and Dad had two separate rooms, but the accommodating staff managed to find two together. On first impressions the hotel lives up to it's four star rating. The rooms are unbelievably spacious, and offer everything you could want for a nights stay. I would imagine this type of hotel would appeal to businessmen, and it is to them whom the hotel is actually marketed. The rooms are stylish, mine came with a large double bed, stylish wooden headboard, mini bar and satellite TV. Either side of the dressing table had wardrobes, so storage is not a problem.

The bathroom absolutely made this room- completely stunning. Each bathroom offers double sinks, ornate baths and power showers. All this would come in very handy after a hard day at work (or in my case a hard day shopping a Meadowhall.) The freebies in the bathroom were great- nice Molten Brown bubble bath, shampoo and conditioner. The only thing missing was a shower cap (something greatly missed by me and my frizzy hair!)

So, after having a good explore of the room we went downstairs for the main event of the night, the party. The hotel's restaurant 'Zucca and the Yard' immediately seemed impressive. They have a huge menu mainly of Italian inspired cuisine, all rather expensive however. As a reception we were treated to bottles of champagne, it was only on my way out that I realised it was £32.50 a bottle. For a hotel I didn't think this was that bad. Another consideration was that I wasn't paying!

For my main I ordered CHICKEN BREAST on a bed of what can only be described as 'grey coloured' vegetables. According to the menu these were meant to be celeriac, carrot and seasonal vegetables. However, this was just an unappetising plate of food. At the price of £14.00 it seemed vastly overpriced, as all you got as mixed veg and a chicken breast. What I found even more worrying however was that it came with no sauce, so seemed very dry. Again, I found myself unable to finish the course, sending at least half back.

We all left thoroughly angered by the while evening. The quality of the food did not match the quality of the company. Breakfast the following morning was served in the stylish coffee bar, and was much better. You can't go wrong with the full English really can you! All of the party I was with thoroughly enjoyed their breakfast, and left filling the void that remained from the night before. Perhaps the enjoyment factor went up here due to the fact it was self service, so you didn't have to deal with the difficult staff!