London Hotels Insight provides up-to-date, independent advice for your perfect stay in London. We research guest feedback, meet management and identify hotels at the top of their game.
London boutique hotels round-up – Sept. 2011.
The stylish W London on Leicester Square is changing hands for nearly £200m - not bad for a boutique hotel which has been in operation for only a little over 7 months
Boutique hotels offer a unique way to experience London and fortunately the UK’s capital has many top-notch ones to choose from, with new ones emerging all the time. For the very latest on the city’s dynamic boutique hotel scene, read on for our September news round-up…
According to a report published this month by hotel consultants HVS, London’s boutique hotel sector is set to double in size by 2013 and is the fastest-growing part of the hotel industry. The authors say that “interest in boutique hotels…remains overwhelming.” They go on to suggest that ‘Budget Boutique’ or ‘Design at a Discount’ may be the next big thing.
Rough Luxe is one of a breed of "designer budget" boutique hotels that are likely to grow according to the authors of a recent report on boutique hotels
HVS also suggested words that consumers commonly associate with boutique hotels. These words include: unique, trendy, hip &
cool, intimate, high-tech, warm and inspiring. Old fashioned, traditional, simple, all-inclusive, bland and mainstream meanwhile were deemed to be decidedly ‘not boutique.’ Others might though argue that a true boutique hotel is one which bears an owner’s imprint – even if the decor is traditional. Therefore unique, stylish hotels full of character like Hazlitt’s and the Egerton House Hotel would also qualify as boutique hotels – after all, the movement is far broader than just “hip” or trendy hotels.
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The Egerton House is considered a true boutique haven by TripAdvisor reviewers
There are few more advanced high-tech hotels than the newly-opened Eccleston Square Hotel. Unfortunately, it appears to be having a few teething problems with some of these technological aspects, as the following response by management to a disgruntled guest on 22nd September shows: “Further to your above comments we would like to offer our most sincere apologies for having to find you alternative accommodation. At the last minute some of our rooms had to be taken out of service due to technical problems, it is our priority that guests are safe and that all technology is working correctly and therefore we were required to find alternative accommodation for your stay.”
But many of the hotel’s other early reviews on TripAdvisor have been good, with guests pleased by the in-room 3DTV’s and other goodies. We’re therefore hopeful that the technical issues – which are understandable in such a pioneering new hotel - will be ironed out in time.
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Eccleston Square Hotel is very much a gadget lover's hotel but not all of its gadgets worked properly in its first few weeks after opening!
Technology is often an important part of the boutique hotel experience, but it seems that some are more advanced than others. This is evidenced by the inconsistent free internet coverage at London boutique hotels.
London Hotels Insight recently explored the issue and found that 45 Park Lane, the Montague on the Gardens, Hotel 41, the Milestone Hotel and the Chesterfield Mayfair were amongst the boutique London hotels which do offer unlimited WiFi. The Sanderson and Firmdale’s Haymarket, Soho and Covent Garden hotels however currently do not. And it appears to have little to with room rate since some expensive 5 star hotels charge for WiFi while many 4 star and 3 star hotels include it for free.
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The gorgeous 4 star Chesterfield Mayfair offers free WiFi despite the fact that several more expensive 5 star boutique hotels do not
The Sanderson’s owners – Morgans Hotel Group – recently announced that they will open a new branch of their unique ‘fantasy’ Mondrian hotel brand in London. The as yet unnamed hotel will be located within Sea Containers House on the vibrant South Bank.
The relatively new, boutique-style W Hotel Leicester Square has been bought by a Qatari investment firm, Al Faisal Holding, owned by a member of Qatar’s royal family. The price tag is reported to be just under £200m. Not bad for what was just a hotel shell on a building site 12 months ago!
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Lovers of luxury cars and luxury hotels will be able to combine their passions at 51 Buckingham Gate Hotel. The hotel unveiled its Jaguar Suite in September, inspired by classic Jaguar luxury cars such as the iconic E-type. Guests will be able to enjoy car-themed artwork, Jaguar-inspired decor and furniture, and even be chauffeur driven in a Jaguar. The price of such luxury does however start at a steep £5,250 per night!
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The sleek Jaguar Suite at 51 Buckingham Gate
The May Fair Hotel – the official London hotel for London Fashion Week – recently unveiled designer windows by fashion artist Spiros Halaris. The hotel was also awarded Visit England’s Breakfast Award in September, for “going the extra mile to ensure breakfast will exceed expectations.”
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45 Park Lane has been getting all arty, exhibiting limited edition artwork by acclaimed artist Damien Hirst. ‘Psalms’ consists of 16 unique pieces, displayed in the hotel’s CUT restaurant.
Damien Hirst on display at 45 Park Lane
Chelsea’s Draycott Hotel was awarded the title of ‘UK’s Leading Boutique Hotel’ at the European heats of the World Travel Awards 2011. The luxury townhouse hotel near King’s Road will now compete with the world’s best in the world finals in Qatar, to be held in November.
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The Zetter Townhouse may also soon have reason to celebrate: the ‘eccentric aunt’ of the original Zetter Hotel has been shortlisted for Time Out London’s Best New Bar award. The winner will be announced in October.
The Zetter Townhouse is famous both for its eccentric decor and an excellent bar
Finally, The Arch - a lovely boutique hotel near Oxford Street has received praise from the other side of the world. Canada’s Toronto Sun newspaper says that movie buffs may want to check into The Arch hotel on their next visit to England.’ It seems the paper’s reporters were impressed by the hotel’s DVD selection, which includes every Oscar winning Best Picture since the 1930s making it one of the best London hotels for movie buffs. London Hotels Insight is also a fan of its HUNter 486 restaurant.
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That completes this month’s round-up of London boutique hotel news brought to you exclusively by London Hotels Insight.
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Photo credits: Zetter Townhouse, Eccleston Square Hotel, 45 Park Lane, 51 Buckingham Gate, W London Hotel, Chesterfield Mayfair, Egerton House Hotel, Rough Luxe.
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