6 of the Best Boutique Hotels
The Handbook loves Europe. A cheeky weekend to Amsterdam, a foodie overnight to Rome, a shopping spree in Paris… But our own capital offers so much in itself that sometimes you have to treat yourself to an overnight in one of the beautiful boutique hotels that London has to offer. By boutique, we mean somewhere with under 100 rooms; somewhere with character, charm and individual style. And there are quite a few scattered between east and west, north and south – here’s a round up of our favourites:
The Beaumont
Corbin & King do hotels
The first hotel from Jeremy Corbin and Chris King was sure to live up to the elegant style and excellent fare of their various London restaurants. Those with minds drawing a blank (where have you been?!) think The Wolseley, Fischers and Colbert to name a few of The Handbooks faves. The Beaumont can do no wrong – a grand, elegant return to Mayfair’s pre-war period, it boasts 73 rooms, of which 23 are luxurious studios and suites, and nestles on a quiet garden square mere moments from the buzzy London one wants to revel in. Each room has a soft art deco style for classic comfort and The Colony Grill room, the hotel’s in-house restaurant, serves seriously yummy duck egg hashes for brunch…
Where: Brown Hart Gardens, Mayfair, W1K 6TF
Website: https://www.thebeaumont.com/about
Artist Residence
Great transport links
With only 10 boutique bedrooms, you need to think quick to secure a room at the Artist Residence in London’s Victoria. Only 5 minutes from the station, it’s great for out-of-towners and commuters alike, offering a stylish haven in the heart of central London. Bedrooms range in size depending on your needs, from an overnight mid-week to a loft or grand suite for longer, more leisurely stays. Décor is eclectic with exposed brick walls in one room and traditional cornicing in another. The Club Room is a comfortable retreat in the hotel where you can relax by the fire or play a spot of ping pong with fellow guests – The Handbook likes to curl up on the sofa here with a paper on lazy Saturday mornings…
Where: 52 Cambridge Street, Pimlico, SW1V 4QQ
Website: http://artistresidencelondon.co.uk/
Boundary Hotel
East London haven
Lovers of art, admirers of design and bon vivants are all welcomed at Prescott & Conran’s Boundary Hotel. Sitting proud on a cobbled corner in the heart of Shoreditch, the Boundary’s twelve individually designed bedrooms and five suites are nestled between a stunning rooftop restaurant and bar – a twinkling retreat in the winter and rose hot spot in warmer months – and the yummy Albion bakery, cafe and food store on the ground. Deeper still, hidden underground, is the hotels award-winning restaurant, which pays homage to classic timeless French ingredients and recipes in a modern yet cosy setting.
Where: 2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch, E2 7DD
Website: http://theboundary.co.uk/
The Hoxton
Sleep, eat, work, play
Now boasting two boutique London hotels, the original in Hoxton and the latest in Holborn (we think they have a thing for the letter ‘h’…) The Hoxton hotel is a boutique hotel with a difference. They call themselves a ‘no bull’ hotel, refraining from offering the things that ‘pissed people off in traditional hotels’ eg. expensive mini bars and high rate phone calls. Offering more than just a bed for the night (though the beds are uber comfortable!) what’s great about The Hoxton is their range of social spaces, co-created with Soho House. At Holborn, in-house restaurant Hubbard & Bell sits between a leisurely lounge area great for hot-desking and cocktail swigging alike, and Cheeky Parlour, an affordable beauty bar where you sip champagne while getting a mani-pedi. Genius.
Where: Hoxton and Holborn
Website: https://thehoxton.com/#
