Boutique hotel sector in London will double

15 September 2011 by
Boutique hotel sector in London will double

London's boutique hotel sector is set to double in size by 2013, according to a new report.

With 2,544 rooms opening over the next two years, the Boutique Hotel Segment - The Challenge of Standing Out from the Crowd report claims that boutique hotels represent the fastest-growing hotel segment in the capital.

However, increased competition means that boutique properties must work harder to create a point of difference from their competitors. Produced by hotel consultants HVS London, the report says that boutique hotel operators will increasingly rely on creating destination restaurants within the properties, tying in with well-known chefs in a one-off, quality-orientated food offer.

Boutique hotels will also start to capitalise much more on their members' club atmosphere by having more guest-only areas, such as bars and rooftop terraces, as well as privileges for frequent residents.

The report's author, Cristina Balekjian, said that hotels could no longer get away with passable restaurants. "Looking forward, we expect to see further partnerships evolve between chefs and boutique hotels in creating truly stand-alone offerings drawing in outside custom," she said.

"Such restaurants have a high revenue earning potential as well as priceless publicity for the hotel. It is not uncommon for food and beverage revenue to account for 40-50% of total sales."

The report highlights the successful partnership between the Town Hall hotel in Bethnal Green with chef Nuno Mendes in creating the Michelin-starred restaurant Viajante as one of the leading examples of a destination eaterie being launched in a boutique property.

In summary, the report says the boom in boutique hotels over the past decade has been fuelled by guests' desire for an individual experience, combined with style, exclusivity, a high level of service and a sense of being recognised.

Forthcoming boutique hotel openings in London include the 85-bedroom Belgraves in Belgravia, 38-bedroom Indigo Cannon Street in the City and 85-bedroom Bulgari hotel in Knightsbridge.

Can the hotel brands do boutique ?>>

London boutqie hotel market set to expand >>

Boutique hotels have created a buoyant market >>

By Janet Harmer

E-mail your comments to Janet Harmer here.

Tabletalk
Tabletalk
If you have something to say on this story or anything else join the debate at Table Talk - Caterer's new networking forum. Go to www.caterersearch.com/tabletalk

Caterersearch.com jobs

Looking for a new job? Find your next job here with Caterersearch.com jobs

Blogs on Caterersearch.com ](http://www.caterersearch.com/blogs) Catch up with more news and gossip on all Caterer's blogs
[E-newsletters](http://www.caterersearch.com/email-newsletters.htm)[ For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our E-newsletters
TagsHotels
The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking