The London B&B goes upmarket.

B+B Belgravia is one of an emerging breed of upmarket B&Bs challenging traditional conventions through chic and modern design

The last twenty years have seen a huge swing away from the individual hotel towards the big chains.  Now, the pendulum seems to be swinging back, with the idea of individual boutique hotels very much in vogue.  That’s perhaps one of the reasons why it’s a chain of boutique London hotels by Red Carnation that is currently dominating the TripAdvisor rankings.

Where the best boutique hotels differ from some of the original “design hotels” is that they are hotels with great service as well as interesting design.  The Firmdale Group which runs the Haymarket Hotel, the well-regarded Soho Hotel (including its great hotel bar) and the Covent Garden Hotel is another hotel company riding this wave.

More surprisingly perhaps, this trend is even now permeating the cheaper end of the market and “boutique bed-and-breakfasts” are  sprouting up too.  You might even place the centrally-located Dean Street Townhouse in this category: it’s quite happy to describe itself as a “crash pad” hotel though with decent beds, a good restaurant and premium toiletries.

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It’s also tricky to get a handle on what differentiates a B&B from a hotel.

B&Bs were traditionally family houses which let out a couple of spare rooms by the night.  Quality often varied; in the past, I shared a kitchen with four ferrets, which regarded me malevolently as I tried to focus on breakfast.

But on the other hand, I’ve also stayed in one where I was treated to fresh fruit, muesli and orange juice that was actually squeezed right in front of me, along with piping hot scrambled eggs with smoked salmon.

Having a proper home-cooked breakfast "made to order" and not from a buffet is one of the treats available at a good B&B like TripAdvisor #1-rated Bay Tree House

B&Bs tend to have two to five rooms – few are much bigger; and they’re usually in town or suburban houses which were not built as hotels, so lack facilities such as lifts, restaurants, and bars.  Though they do – as the name indicates – offer breakfast (though not always kippers, sadly!).

And even if they are not family-run, that feeling of individual character and a very personal welcome is still very much in evidence.

For instance in Stepney Green, 40winks offers a ‘home from home’ in a four storey Queen Anne terrace.  It only has two rooms at £90 and £130 a night – and they’re visually stunning at least, with bold and modern decor.

No surprise then that the B&B has become a favourite with media and fashion types.  The East End may not be the most attractive location in some ways – it’s the gritty end of London – but it’s also home to many cutting-edge art galleries, graphics studios and other creative businesses.

Even the poshest bits of London now have B&Bs, with B+B Belgravia offering a contemporary take on the format.  It’s bright and modern despite its Georgian exterior, and also well-located near Victoria mainline and coach stations.  Do note though that its six storey building doesn’t have a lift.

Room rates range from £99 single to £125 for double occupancy including breakfast, which is freshly cooked and not from a buffet.

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The clean and modern look and minimalist decor of B+B Belgravia are as good as any contemporary hotel but with a more homely touch

In Parsons Green, The Ville’s B&B offers rooms by colour – Gold, Red, or Orange – for £80 a night (£90 for the Gold Suite).  Again the decor has definite character – less funky than 40Winks, but still very individual.  Very definitely not the way B&Bs used to be – no candlewick bedspread or magnolia painted woodchip walls here!  And you get free wi-fi access as well as tea and coffee making facilities, a TV and breakfast.

One of the appeals of the traditional B&B against a hotel is that you’re staying in a family house as a guest – so it is a slightly different experience from staying in a hotel.  Not all the modern B&Bs follow this format – some are in reality just small budget hotels – but Number 37 in Greenwich certainly does; there’s even a picture of the family dog on the website.

It’s in a rather sweet Regency villa, a few minutes walk from Greenwich Park.  Its the sort of place where you’ll probably get a lovely pot of tea as well as a home-cooked breakfast in the morning.  With doubles from £85, it’s cheap compared to many hotels.  But it’s not the price that is the focus of places such as these, it’s the friendly welcome.

London's best B&B according to TripAdvisor (for quite a long while now) looks unassuming on the outside but offers heartfel hospitality from its owners

Last but not least is the best London B&B according to TripAdvisor guest reviews: welcoming Bay Tree House.  We’ve already featured this North London gem as a place to savour the hospitality of owners James and Janice, who do everything they can to treat you like royalty.  It’s a slight trek out of town but well worth it if you want a real “homely” experience.

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Photo credits: Bay Tree House, B+B Belgravia.

Tagged as: B+B Belgravia, Bay Tree House Bed & Breakfast