At a Glance
Some hotels cater so well to a particular sort of clientele that only a little tinkering is required over the years.
Indagare Loves
- Romantic rooms perfect for hiding away with someone special
- Dramatic, subterranean restaurant a perennial hotspot
- Location in the center of South Ken, close to designer shops and hip cafés
Review
Blakes, one of the world’s first boutique hotels and the brainchild and baby of designer Anouska Hempel (now Lady Weinberg) is a hotel that knows its niche, and has faithfully and successfully served it for almost two decades. Tucked away on a quiet residential street in the heart of South Kensington, Blakes got the slightly opulent colonial and indisputably chic recipe right when it first opened in 1987. All that was needed was a little freshening up. And after eight months and a £4 million renovation in 2011, Blakes is looking better than ever.
Guests can choose from two design schemes—moody romantic with warm lacquer reds, black and cream, or the more pristine modern in black-and-white rooms with similarly toned, good-looking bathrooms. I honestly can’t choose between the two. Predictably, Blakes is beloved by the music and fashion worlds (regulars include the Beckhams, Hugh Grant and Jean-Paul Gaultier); it’s a place that anyone craving privacy and style will keep coming back to.
A good bargain category are the luxury doubles, especially the room numbers ending with a 4 (i.e. 204, 304 etc) because they have a separate sofa seating area, two Bang & Olufsen televisions and a separate shower and bath. Don’t miss the three new, glass birdcage conservatories in the rear courtyard, perfect for any season.
Who Should Stay
Love birds, style seekers and celebrities who enjoy dramatic decor and a cool scene.
Written by Elena Bowes