Ericka

All,

Do you have any boutique hotel recommendations for London? (this is for Ericka's Aunt and Uncle)

I've heard of the The Stafford - the ambience and location sound nice and the pricing seems better than some of the big names like the Dorchester.

Also, any recommendations for country accomodations in other parts of England and Scotland?

Thanks!
Ericka

Blumie

I've stayed at The Halkin (www.halkin.co.uk) -- in Belgravia, right around the corner from The Lanesborough -- several times, and always have been pleased. Also, although I've never stayed there, the Harper Collection speaks highly of 22 Jermyn Street (www.22jermyn).

themicah

mrs. themicah and I stayed at the Zetter (http://www.thezetter.com/) in August, '04. We I loved the high-design rooms and bathrooms, the high-tech toys (the TV doubles as an iPod-like jukebox and you have a choice of color schemes for lighting), the super-comfy bed, the complimentary current issue of Time Out London, and the still and sparkling water drawn from the hotel's own well. We didn't try the restaurant, but it looked good.

That said, it is far from a full-service hotel. One might even call it a self-service hotel. There are high-tech vending machines in the hallways, or for a wider snack selection the desk clerk actually recommended the gas station down the street. At night we essentially had to let ourselves in, although there was always somebody in the lobby just in case we needed anything.

The location was a little farther from the main tourist areas than most hotels, but we enjoyed being in a neighborhood where we could get a sense of how young hip Londoners live instead of being surrounded by tourists. And public transportation was easy.

TMOTEE

Try One Aldwych. Great hotel and service.

Ericka

These are some great suggestions but they may be a bit modern for my Aunt and Uncle's taste.

Anyone familiar with the Parkes Hotel close to Harrods?

Marin 1K

Try Dukes Hotel off of St. James'. I've not stayed there (after 30+stays at the Four Seasons on Park Lane, I'd feel lost elsewhere), but I hear from others that it is quite nice, and the location is great.

jja34-1

I have had clients stay at the Parkes. The location is great. The public areas could do with a good remodel and update. The rooms are fine.

I would recommend Cadogan as a true boutique luxury hotel in Knightsbridge. My grandmother stayed there for a few days and really liked it. It was remodeled by GLH Hotels (known for the Lancaster in Paris), although it has now been sold to another party. Guests have their choice of modern or traditional rooms. My grandmother stayed in a modern room and still raved about it, although her tastes are generally more traditional. We got a very good dollar for pound rate (e.g., the rate was $350 when it should have been 350 GBP at the time). Location is great on Sloane Street.

I would also recommend The Basil and The Knightsbridge.

ABG

The Stafford and Halkin are great.... Rocco Forte has re-opened Browns in Mayfair and the hotel du jour with Celebs is the Bagaloni.

Sojourn

Claridges is a very nice option in Mayfair if your looking for a swank art-deco atmosphere with really incredible service.

stimpy

Avoid the Hempel. I don't know why the London hip crowd likes this hotel.

Up in Suffolk near Woodbridge is Seckford Hall http://www.seckford.co.uk/. It's hundreds of years old and they have a four poster that supposedly Elizabeth slept in during the 1600's. I rather like this inn.

deer

Dear Ericka,

there is only one brillant solution according to the search-profile in your question:

It is of course the Soho Hotel (http://www.firmdale.com/SHPH.html) by the Firmdale Group.

The 5 Firmdale Hotels are the only real boutique hotels in London, and the Soho Hotel (Top rated by both the Galivanter Guide and Nota Bene) ist their most modern designed hotel.

Ask for a suite in the 5th (top) floor - then you have something much light and even a nice view through the lofty, big windows.

Food is very good, mood is very good, design is quite unique and brillant!

Jac747

We enjoyed a stay at the Lygon Arms in the Cotswolds-very traditional British. It used to be owned by the Savoy group but don't know if it still is.

www.broadway-cotswolds.co.uk/lygon.com

olimaspecto

If price and location do become more important than having a true boutique hotel, I have had loads of luck with Priceline. Specifically, book something near Marble Arch and you should be able to get the Thistle Marble Arch for around 50USD per night. If you're looking for something closer to Tower Bridge, use priceline for that neighborhood and the same amount and you can end up with the Thistle Tower Bridge. Of course, in both cases they are chain hotels, but they are decent hotels, and excellent for that price in London.

laf747

For Scotland try the Isle of Eriska near Oban

rfrost

Although I like the Stafford, I have generally chosen to stay at Dukes when I wanted a small hotel in St. James, largely because it has a gym (the Stafford, I believe, will at last be building one), but that may not be an issue for your relatives, and the carriage houses at the Stafford are very highly regarded. They are both very English, charming and a bit quirky, in an area that resonates with history. I've heard very good things about the Soho, but the area may not be what your aunt and uncle want. (For similar reasons, I would not recommend the Covent Garden.) I'm having my first stay at the Halkin in a few days, but its style is clearly NOT very English, so it all depends on what they are looking for.