London Boutique Hotels Offer Much More than Comfortable Accommodation

A traditional definition of a hotel is a lodging accommodation for travellers and although many luxury hotels are in existence throughout the world, travellers have started looking forward to much more than merely a comfortable and convenient place to stay. As such, keeping in view demands of the customers, luxury hotels have changed a great deal over the past few years giving rise to boutique hotels.

A boutique hotel is usually too small to earn the category of a grand hotel and too refined and upper class to be called a normal hotel. Its distinguishing features include top quality fixtures and fittings, high standard of decor and accessories and deep luxurious mattresses and bed spreads. In London, most boutique hotels are found in trendy up and coming areas or in more up market destinations such as areas that attract many visitors and tourists. They provide good food, soothing interiors and warm showers so that guests feel special and get the feeling that they are staying in a home away from home although a gamut of amenities are available to them such as spa sessions, Jacuzzi baths, swimming in the pools and other recreational facilities. Guests can feel their warmth through their exclusive services. Regardless of the purpose of your stay, you can have a wonderful time due to the personalised ambience and services, and exclusive luxury and privacy rather than a loud extravaganza. Nowadays, luxury boutique hotels have become more of a social symbol with people not staying in them being categorised as unfashionable.

Two of the first boutique hotels in the world were established in 1981 - The Blakes Hotel in South Kensington, London and the Bedford in Union Square, San Francisco. Some of the salient features of boutique hotels are:

Unique Architecture and Design
Boutique hotels are unique in many ways with each one expressing a theme and many of them introducing different themes in each guestroom so that even repeat customers will find every single stay to be unique. Many old, traditional hotels are being renovated and being transformed into boutique hotels but only the ones that combine historic details with chic elegance can outlast the others. The main features that distinguish them are style, distinction and intimacy.
Service
A distinguishing feature of luxury boutique hotels is that they are properties that do not exceed 150 rooms and they provide an amiable connection between the guests and members of the hotel staff to the extent that the latter are familiar with guest names, which is difficult to achieve in a large-scale hotel. However, some hotel owners believe that the boutique hotels need a distinguishing approach and attitude which has nothing to do with hotel size.

Mostly, customers in their early 20s to mid 50s with mid- to upper-incomes patronise boutique hotels that can be categorised in two streams.

Boutique Hotels in Cities
In this category, good location is the top priority of customers and as such most London boutique hotels are located in or around central London which is the epicentre of all attractions and the hub of business and economic activities of Europe. One of the special features of boutique hotels is the dynamics of entertainment that helps in creating a lively, chic and trendy mindset. It is not only limited to live music and performances but extends to having a hip restaurant, lounge and bar, an exceptional theme and spectacular decorations.

The other category is Boutique hotels in resort destinations which are usually small, exotic and intimate. Guests can explore the local feel without sacrificing luxury. These hotels are generally well-hidden, tucked away in deserted corners of the islands or the mountains. They mix traditional architecture with the comfort and luxury of modernism.

Boutique hotels in London are ideal for travellers looking for a calm atmosphere as they provide an excellent environment and personalised accommodation. 

Features of Boutique Hotels in London
Boutique hotels are normally owned by small-business owners and as such, you can expect personalised services and distinctive amenities. In London, a range of these hotels is available in attractive locations. The salient features of these hotels include: 
Location
Most boutique hotels are located in the heart of the city and as such, guests can easily walk across or take a short tube ride to reach any of their places of interest like cinemas, popular chocolate bars, shopping malls, theatres, museums, tourist spots and prime business centres.

Fine Architecture
The distinctive architecture of luxury boutique hotels showcases a certain life-style and in some cases it is so overpowering that it influences the mood of the guests and fine tunes it to match the hotel’s environment.

Less Emphasis on Technical Appliances
Since boutique hotels offer an intimate feeling, it lays less stress on provision of technological gadgets and more on providing services which concentrate on comfort.

Amenities
Usually there are 50 rooms in a boutique hotel in London. Guests are provided with delectable meals of different cuisines, bar and dining facilities, satellite TV, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and in some cases, a swimming pool or wellness centre.

These hotels are more suited for tourists rather than for business travellers.
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