Boutique Hotels London – three words that go together like bacon and egg. But what exactly is meant by the term “Boutique Hotels” London or elsewhere? The term began to be used during the early 1980s in San Francisco, New York and London to describe a small but high quality hotel that was the size of a large bed & breakfast, but which was as well-appointed as the best 5 star.
Anouska Hempel, founder of Blake's Hotel
The acknowledged first of the Boutique Hotels London, was Blake’s Hotel in South Kensington, which opened for business in 1981 and was designed and operated by the well-known celebrity and stylist Anouska Hempel. Other terms that were also used at the time to define such hotels were lifestyle or design hotels, however it is the term “Boutique Hotel” that is now generally applied.
With no hard or fast definition, boutique hotel is used to describe generally smaller hotels with anything from perhaps just two or three guest rooms to certainly no more than about 50 in total. They like to differentiate themselves from the larger chains of hotels and provide personalized accommodation in very often unusual or theme designed premises, probably finished to a very high standard. Boutique hotels always like to stress their individuality but because they have become a new successful buzzword in the accommodation industry there are now those multinational hotel chains, especially in the USA, that are marketing certain brands as versions of boutique hotels, so the term can be very confusing.
As we are focusing on Boutique Hotels London I will concentrate on trying to describe the aspects that generally apply to most of them there, although defining the term is very tricky especially as everybody seems to want to be part of this trend.
Boutique Hotels London – Definition:
• Architecture and design of the building and the individual rooms – A distinct style and intimacy is often the desired effect that is hoped to be achieved.
• Personalised service – Making sure that each individual’s needs are catered for and often stressing the provision of new technology devices.
• Targetting an affluent market – often trying to attract the younger, more affluent customer with special interests in art, food or design culture.
• Reflecting the area the hotel is situated in – A trendy location will certainly help sell many Boutique Hotels London.
Another way of defining a boutique hotel is to consider it as sort of specialist bed and breakfast (with optional evening meal and a bar) perhaps. This is much more in the spirit of a true boutique hotel rather than a hotel chain of “individual” rooms.
The London scene of boutique hotels is still booming and many are established in the accepted trendy parts of the city such as Notting Hill Gate, Kensington, Chelsea, Soho and the like. However new up and coming areas especially in the east of town such as Hoxton, Shoreditch and parts of Hackney are beginning to host a new number of individualist boutique hotels – the trend does not seem to want to stop.
Boutique Hotels London – Top 5
• The Cavendish London, 81 Jermyn Street, St James’s, London, SW1Y6JF
• The Hempel, 31-35 Craven Hill Gardens, London W2 3EA (the latest offering from Anouska Hempel, founder of boutique hotels, London)
• 41, 41 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0PS
• The Montcalm, 34-40 Great Cumberland Place, Top of Park Lane, Marble Arch London, England W1H 7TW (one of the larger boutique hotels London has to offer…)
• Montagu Place, 2-3 Montagu Place, Marylebone, London W1H 2ER
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Searching for other Boutique hotels London is easy – check out the many websites mentioned here and see the range that is currently available. You will be spoilt for choice and the competition is fierce so you do not have to spend a fortune to get real individual attention in a unique and stylish setting. You will pay more for the top of the range rooms in stunning architectural splendor but you are guaranteed to be offered an experience that you will never forget.
The boutique hotels trend is gradually traveling the world. The USA and UK may have started the rise of this popular type of accommodation but it is now firmly established in most of Europe, especially Spain, parts of Asia including Thailand and the Far East. Current trends indicate that some boutique hotels might have to become more affordable if they are to survive, obviously losing some of their stylish individuality which would start to devalue the term. However, Boutique Hotels London can still offer a great range of unique, good value accommodation that should give you an unforgettable lodgings experience.