With the turn of the Summer Solstice and the beginning of Wimbledon, the great British summer has officially started in earnest. What have London’s top boutique hotels been up to and what have they got planned for the summer days ahead? Read on to find out.
Red Carnation Hotels have come up with their own must see events list in their ‘Essentially English July Events’. It’s an eclectic list that includes the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, Opera Holland Park and The Ashes. The blog has lots of other good tips for luxury weekend breaks in London.
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Over at the One Aldwych they’re running a special package to coincide with one of the big events happening in the West End. The hotel’s Dinner & Charlie & The Chocolate Factory package includes a two course dinner and glass of wine at either Axis or Indigo, followed by top price tickets to see the new musical adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic.
Andaz Liverpool Street received a stamp of approval recently, when it obtained the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2013. The certificates are handed out yearly to ‘establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveller reviews on TripAdvisor.’
The Beaufort continued its extensive use of social media to promote itself in June, by creating a set of Pinterest boards featuring images of the hotel, its rooms and suites, the surrounding Knightsbridge area and things to do in London. The Chelsea hotel also gained a positive review from Double-Barrelled Travel recently, who said: “The location is ideal, the service professional and friendly, and the atmosphere is charming.”
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The Baglioni London is well known for exquisite Italian cuisine and the hotel’s Brunello Lounge has just unveiled more tasty morsels for guests to tuck into. The restaurant’s new pre-theatre dinner menu includes delights like Beef Carpaccio with Rocket and Parmesan Shavings, and Cavatelli Pasta with Lamb & Mint Ragout. Guests who take up the London Hotels Insight exclusive Hot Deal also receive a complimentary cocktail.
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Over at Bulgari Hotel, guests can enjoy fresh air and exercise on two wheels thanks to the hotel’s new ‘Dolce Vita in Hyde Park’ package. The summery deal includes the use of two designer Bulgari bikes for 4 hours and a special gourmet picnic hamper prepared by Head Chef Robbie Peppin.
June also saw the addition of a new property to London’s ever-growing boutique hotel scene, with the opening of One Leicester Street. It replaces the former St John Hotel and has 15 guest rooms, a restaurant and a bar. It’s also worth noting that the hotel offers free WiFi.
The Hoxton Hotel meanwhile has launched its innovative new space, ‘The Apartment’. The Apartment consists of six immaculately designed meeting rooms and an open plan kitchen, and is, “designed as a vibrant, fun space rather than an office”, according to the hotel’s website. What’s more, come the evening the kitchen even transforms into a bar complete with DJ.
After more than a decade of disuse, the Great Northern Hotel in Kings Cross has finally re-opened. The hotel, which originally opened in 1854, now has 91 bedrooms and offers free Wi-Fi, making it an ideal stopover in-between rail journeys or during business meetings.
Another new hotel in an old property is due to open towards the end of this year. The former Berners Hotel will become the London Edition, the first of its kind in Europe and the result of a partnership between Marriot International and hotelier Ian Schrager. Interestingly, the hotel will feature a dance club, as well as a restaurant and fitness centre.
If campaigners get their way then North London could gain a boutique hotel one day soon, in the form of a 19th century mansion. The Athlone House Working Group are seeking buyers who are interested in transforming Athlone House in Highgate into what they say, “could be the best five-star boutique hotel in London.” This is in response to news that the mansion could potentially be demolished.
One of the more interesting ideas for transforming old buildings into hotels recently came from think tank Policy Exchange. A report by the group suggests that 30 jails should be replaced by ‘super-prisons’ with the resultant derelict buildings turned into boutique hotels. Prisons mentioned in the report include Pentonville, Holloway and Wormwood Scrubs.
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Deborah Dhugga, General Manager of Dukes St James won yet another award in June – the Business Women Mentor of the Year Award. Upon winning the award, Dhugga said, “My message to women in the industry has always been to work hard, do what you believe is right and don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way.”
Finally, the grand old dame of the boutique hotel world, Anouska Hempel, gave an interview to Archinect in June, in which she discussed one her recent projects, La Suite West. In it she describes China, Italy and Japan as the countries which most influence her designs.
Keep an eye out for next month’s boutique hotels round-up when we hope that warm summer weather finally arrives in London!
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Photo credits: Rachel, One Aldwych, The Beaufort, The Baglioni, Hoxton hotel, London Edition, Dukes St James Hotel.