As we edge into November and ever closer to Christmas the days are short and the mercury is dropping, but there’s still plenty going on to warm the cockles of London’s many visitors. Here we take a look at back at what’s been going on in London’s boutique hotel scene in October, and glance forward at what lies ahead.
Knightsbridge’s Beaufort Hotel relaunched its blog recently with a new look and domain (www.BoutiqueHotelLondon.com). The design is slick and fresh, while the content continues to highlight and explore the many things to do near to the hotel, with recent posts including ‘Enjoying the Public Gardens of London’ and ‘Fashion Rules at Kensington Palace’.
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The Rubens at the Palace and ME London celebrated London Cocktail Week in style in October. At the former’s Bbar bar and restaurant, guests sampled the alcoholic delights of the Caribbean Apple Pie beer cocktail, together with Fire and Ice, a hot and cold chocolate and caramel infused vodka treat. ME London meanwhile was serving up specialities like Sangria La Bianca from their two bars, the Marconi Lounge and Cucina Asellina London. Read more in our special feature about London Cocktail Week.
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The end of October sees the second annual edition of the Independent Hotel Show at Olympia West Hall from 30th-31st October. The event brings together hoteliers, suppliers and more, featuring a variety of business sessions fronted by an expert panel including Gordon Campbell Gray of Campbell Gray Hotels, and David Morgan Hewitt, the Goring Hotel’s Managing Director.
In November, Malmaison will unveil the results of the extensive refurbishment of their Farringdon hotel. Its slick new look is largely inspired by New York, with an urban aesthetic featuring wooden floorboards and bespoke furniture. Also opening is the hotel’s Strip Bar & Steak restaurant, which will delve into the culinary traditions of the Big Apple.
The South Place Hotel, Capital Hotel and Halkin were all featured in the Telegraph’s ‘fab five’ London hotels with Michelin-starred restaurants recently. According to the paper, South Place Hotel “showcases the best of British seafood,” while the Halkin’s Ametsa with Arzak Instruction is the first Spanish eatery in London to be awarded a Michelin star.
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October saw the 2013 AA hospitality awards take place at the London Hilton, hosted by TV journalist Krishnan Guru-Murphy. As usual, London hotels were well represented in the results, with the Red Carnation Collection being named small hotel group of the year, and Dukes St James scooping the award for London Hotel of the Year. Upon accepting the award, Dukes St James general manager Deborah Dhugga said, “I am the proudest lady in hospitality thanks to the wonderful team I have.”
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November will see further glittering trophies presented, at the World Boutique Hotel Awards 2013, due to take place at London’s Montcalm Hotel on 28th November. At time of writing the finalists are yet to be announced, but London hotels are sure to be in the mix for prestigious awards such as Best City Boutique Hotel in The World, and Best New Boutique Hotel in the World.
Also taking place in November is ‘Sleep’, a conference covering the latest in hotel furniture, decor, lighting and more. The conference’s headline speaker this year is boutique hotel master Ian Schrager, fresh from the launch of his latest project, the London Edition. A day earlier on the 19th, Schrager will also receive the Outstanding Contribution Award at the European Hotel Design Awards.
According to research by digital marketers Green Light, more UK web users look for luxury accommodation at home than abroad. The Boutique Hotels Sector Report found that in August 57% of searches for boutique-style luxury hotels were UK-oriented, compared to just 20% for overseas destinations. The most frequently queried term was ‘boutique hotels London’, amounting to 7% of searches for UK boutique hotels.
Finally, there’s plenty going on in London for Halloween, with attractions like the London Dungeons and Madame Tussauds trying their best to scare visitors out of their wits. Many of the capital’s boutique hotels are also getting in on the ghoulish action, with a variety of spooky deals and events.
The Nadler Soho for example is offering its ‘Spooktacular Halloween Deal’, featuring a Superior Room for two adults and a child and a special Halloween goody bag, for £230 a night. The aptly named Gore Hotel meanwhile hosts Halloween Bal Noir on November 1st, an event inspired by the work of photographer Helmut Newton. The Montague on the Gardens is also laying on a special 3-course Halloween Menu, featuring frightful treats like ‘Devilled Duck’, ‘Chopped Steak Massacre’ and ‘Ghostly Risotto’.
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Photo credits: Steve Haslam, Rubens at the Palace Hotel, South Place Hotel, Dukes St James, Nadler Hotels.