Necessity is the mother of invention, and when it comes to writing the book of 2020, honourable mentions will go to the hospitality businesses that somehow came up with experiences we didn't even know we wanted, pandemic or no pandemic.

Take hotels. Last year we were perfectly happy with bland, budget chains. After all, it was just a base for gigging, city breaking, clubbing and visiting, right? Enter House of Gods, an opulent burst of Victoriana, colour, clashing prints, velvet and a 'more is more' philosophy based on the idea that the hotel itself becomes the destination.

After opening in the heart of the Cowgate in late 2019, this year's events mean the louche leather cocktail bar hasn't quite taken off yet (although it will – the giant paint-splattered mirror ball is worth a visit alone). So the magic happens upstairs, in your small but really perfectly formed Orient Express-inspired room, with a range of packages designed to beat the lockdown blues into submission, and then some.

Locked Up Like I'm Famous is the daddy, promising unlimited prosecco from check-in (until 1am), Civerinos pizza, milk and cookies at midnight and a luxury breakfast hamper with Mimosas, all delivered at the touch of an in-room button. Yes, that's right fizz fans – you push a button, they bring you booze. All night long. The cocktail journey (also available separately) is a triumph too. Four distinctive cocktails, served at your door, each with their own soundtrack and cute wee touches like glowsticks.

This comes with access to their playlist, marble wet rooms, tellies in mirrors, Netflix and balloons, as well as excellent soundproofing (a mundane yet vital detail) so you really do feel like you've booked
the whole place out, in true rock star style.

It's a brilliant concept – like staying in while going out, but somewhere much, much nicer than your house. And unlike your house, the whole experience stands and falls on the service – it must be easy to get bored serving your 29th prosecco of the night, but the team do a brilliant, socially distanced job of keeping the party going. Amen to that.

For more information and to book, visit houseofgodshotel.com