Many travelers want to stay with a particular chain of hotels to keep their status or perhaps for one of the many money-saving offers from credit cards such as American Express. Up until a few years ago, this often meant some bland corporate cookie-cutter hotel. Now brands such as Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott are massively expanding their range of unique luxury hotels to choose from. Despite Covid, there have been several new openings from the top brands that are more boutique than chain hotels in London.
Hilton recently opened two new hotels in London with the Hart by Curio Collection by Hilton in trendy Shoreditch and The Westminster, also a Curio Collection hotel. The Hart offers luxury rooms currently at very reasonable prices right in the heart of the action in Shoreditch. Rooms feature full marble bathrooms with corner options having a stunning deep soaking tub perfect after a day mooching around the neighborhood.
You can walk to numerous restaurants and bars from the hotel, yet it remains well soundproofed for a great night's sleep. In addition, the hotel features quirky lifts set within bookcases and a separate bar and restaurant.
The Westminster is larger-sized than a boutique hotel but still very much feels like one with its quirky, eccentric decor, such as display of bowler hats in reception and the slightly mysterious paintings at the end of each corridor. It houses the new STK restaurant in London, which offers perfectly cooked steak and some great cocktails.
One of the other unusual aspects of the hotel is the secret bowling alley that guests for events can hire out. The sunny corner rooms have views of the Thames and a window seat to soak it all up. Even the entry-level rooms have marble showers with a large rain head and a walk-in dressing and bathroom area as you enter the room.
One of the most stunning hotel renovations of a historic building is Great Scotland Yard, which was previously the Metropolitan Police headquarters and proudly showcases its history. In reception, there is a display of police-related artifacts and art by Nicola Greeb, which showcases people who have helped shape the British Justice system. Each room is slightly different, with some offering marble fireplaces.
From 17th September, multi-award-winning Michelin starred chef Niklas Ekstedt will open his first restaurant outside of Stockholm, launching Ekstedt at The Yard. The eatery will feature Niklas' signature style of wood-fired 'old Nordic' cooking in the UK for the very first time.
If it's a cocktail you are after, 40 Elephants bar is named after a female criminal gang, and guests are treated to a glass of the 40 Elephants punch, which is loosely based on a Pina Colada but with a more refreshing and modern twist. The hotel is part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt and was the first in the collection to open in the UK in December 2019.
Marriott has several boutique properties that are part of its Autograph collection. The very modern and design-led Bankside hotel on London's vibrant Southbank has vending machines with some unique contents, including champagne and sparkly underwear for your perfect London night out! The underwear was a reference to one of the artworks in the hotel. Art is an integral part of the hotel, including their own artists in residence program.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the historic Threadneedles hotel in the city was converted from the former head offices of the London, City and Midland Bank headquarters from the 1880s. The original building, which is now listed, was built in 1856 and transformed into Threadneedles Hotel in 2002, which now has 74 bedrooms. The hotel's restaurant, The Oyster Bar & Grill Room, features menus conceived by the legendary Marco Pierre White.
One of the latest editions to the collection is the Dixon hotel near Tower Bridge, whose elegant red-bricker building dates from 1905 and was previously the Tower Bridge Magistrates Court. The hotel is named after John Dixon Butler, the Grade II-listed building's original Edwardian architect. An impressive entrance hall greets you as you enter with a large chandelier which is made from old handcuffs and the grand picture-lined staircase. The hotel's Courtroom Bar is located in the original magistrates' courtroom.
Having more individual hotels in London where travelers can still be rewarded for their loyalty is a win-win for both parties. Hotels can market themselves to a broader audience than if they were completely independent. On the other side, the guest can benefit from all the perks that come from staying with a big brand, reassurance of standards, loyalty perks and the ability to earn and redeem points.
