WE had just returned to our 'knock-your-socks-off' hotel room having seen the stunning new production about the boy who never grew up — Peter Pan — when we heard Michael Jackson had died.

It was an ironic and detached end to a near dreamlike evening that still seems surreal on paper.

Based in Kensignton Gardens, it's the first time that Peter Pan has been performed in its native home for 100 years and the show is absolutely magical.

Thanks to creative vision and superb use of technology, when Peter and the Darlings fly, so do you — almost.

I've seen a lot of special effects but this was really was something else.

After the show we left the purpose-built tent and followed a wooden trail before walking through quiet and well-kept parks before more heading into more recognised cityscapes and our hotel.

That was surreal too.

Spitting distance behind the London Eye, not that we would ever do that, the executive studio apartment of the Park Plaza County Hall was the closest by proxy that I've ever come to being 'executive' like. It was near perfect.

Our large window looked out over the skyline of Westminster and the City of London.

With the recession hitting pockets and the Euro so strong, many people are finding home grown gems of their own this year. This was a case in point.

A few hours of escapism with Peter Pan carried on into a long weekend of pure immersion thanks to the strength of the show and the location and delightful nature of the hotel.

And apart from that brief reality check, with fellow boy who could never grow up Michael dying, the weekend was very much like the production — magical.

PETER PAN

IT'S pretty hard to 'out-Disney' Disney. You've got to hand it to them, those catchy tunes associated with their cartoons stick with you for years and create the impression that they are definitive.

But Peter Pan is different.

Author J M Barrie brought great depth to both the piece of writing and its original performance. It has always had huge potential outside the direction Disney took it. The show's production team have tapped into that successfully, taking it on a new and exciting path that homes in on the energy and excitement while also unearthing some of Pan's darker side.

And being based in Kensignton Gardens, Barrie's original surrounding and ideas factory, it lets your own imagination run wild as to the inspiration behind the story.

Peter Pan is the world's first 360 degree projected movie for live theatre. What this means is that combined with the wire work it enables one of the most loved flying shows to actually fly.

It is a world away from the 1904 production where they were said to bring a roller cloth down to create an illusion of movement.

Seated in the grounds of Kensington you get the impression this show probably surpasses anything he could have imagined for his story back then. Based in the spot where he found his inspiration really does add to the atmosphere.

We took a leisurely walk through the gardens on a quintessentially English summer evening, stopping our stroll en-route for an ad-hoc picnic.

The tent is amazing and remarkably large, its giant 'Cupola' or dome could be seen from all around the park.

Purpose built, the main roof houses 10 tonnes of equipment and takes an entire day to put together before the rest of the structure is erected.

As you get nearer you can see the external frame jutting high up into the air.

Having this on the outside allows Peter, Wendy, Tink, Michael and John to 'fly' unobstructed.

And because of the unique layout, 1,171 seats have unimpeded views of the stage.

As soon as we took our seats and the action began, we realised the show was worth the hype. So often it isn't.

I have to admit that the concept of the show is what initially got me interested but at a raw level the acting and basic characterisation is second to none when the curtain goes up.

The use of scenery is very clever, doubling up as pirate ship and children's bedroom, rock or tree-house.

All you need is a little imagination (and a little education, I didn't know that Wendy was the inspiration for a Wendy House). And if you can't bring yourself to imagine, the special effects are enchanting.

The 'flight' to Neverland, over 400 square miles, crosses lots of familiar London territory. And being 360 degrees you can look back on what has just passed.

The production utilises a combination of wire-work, moving image, acting, adventure and puppetry to create a glorious show.

It remains faithful to Barrie's ideals while at the same time taking it to a place he might not have thought possible.

What you are left with is a production that will charm and entertain children and adults alike. And on a sunny summer's day I can't think of anything better.

Having got off to such a flying start we left the tent and followed the throngs towards more familiar surrounds, vowing that with home grown entertainment this good, more short breaks were definitely the way forward.

WHERE TO STAY

LOCATION, location, location is very important, especially when it comes to visiting London, tubes and tired feet.

You can't get more central than the Park Plaza County Hall Hotel without pitching a tent on Trafalgar Square's fourth plinth.

This hotel opened in February last year and is certainly as tall as those plinths, giving it remarkable views.

On booking it is worth checking to make sure your room is facing Parliament and also that you are in a room high enough to overlook the old Greater London Council headquarters next door.

This luxurious four-star hotel has a funky element to it and is located on the doorstep of the London Eye.

It is only minutes away from the likes of the Houses of Parliament and London Aquarium.

There are sophisticated superior rooms as well as 251 state-of-the-art studio bedrooms that offer separate living and sleeping areas, kitchenettes and luxury bathrooms.

There's lovely attention to detail, including the smart Nespresso coffee machine and very clever cupboards, a running route on a fob and walk-in marble shower and bath.

Because of the use of spacing, dividing areas into kitchen, living, bedroom and bathroom, you get the feeling of it being a home from home. This is despite its funky modern look.

There's Wi-Fi internet access, concierge services as well as an impressive health club, with sauna, steam room and treatment facilities.

The hotel is equipped with the Spectrum Restaurant and Bar, serving reasonable evening dinners.

Top tip for breakfast is to take advantage of their free breakfast in bed facility.

If you've got breakfast included in your package the hotel arranges for it to be delivered to your room.

We were sat, muffin in hand, looking out over the vista, trying to work out just how they managed to get Peter and his chums to fly over the city.