COLUMN: IT IS said you should never judge a book by its cover, which is why we decided to pop in and visit the toilets at the Hilton hotel in Walcot Street, Bath.

While its external appearance may not exude the charm of the Royal Crescent or the Bath Spa, inside it's a different story.

A stunning lobby gives way to a Gents that is one of the loveliest the Bath Star has yet encountered. So much so we almost thought of having our morning coffee among its handbasins and bottles of high quality soap.

Toilet Roll Award: Five toilet rolls out of five.

Number of gents cubicles: Three each one spotless, gleaming in fact, and generously supplied with toilet rolls.

Number of gents urinals: Four all pristine and polished.

Washing facilities: Four. Handbasins were spotless and each sported an automatic water dispenser. Very impressive.

Drying: Two warm-air hand driers. Both worked although the blast of warm air felt more like a wheeze.

Mirrors: Tinted and fingerprint/ smear free. Elegant.

Bouquet: Like a spring meadow on an alpine slope. Quite extraordinary that a toilet can smell so genuinely fresh.

Lighting: Dimmed as if heralding the start of some dinner party. Indeed, you may wish to dress appropriately.

Cleanliness: 24-carat, top-of-the-range, whiter-than-white.

Decor: Very cool and chic. Could easily, and cheaply, be converted into an Italian restaurant.

Worth a visit? A jewel in the crown of Bath's conveniences, this is a must-see on the cistern trail.