What makes a Smith Hotel?
‘Boutique hotel’ must be up there as one of the most overused and misused terms. At Smith, not only do we adore genuine boutique hotels, but we love special stays that have their own wow-factor.
So how do we define what makes a boutique hotel or a Smith hotel?
THE QUESTIONS MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM ASK THEMSELVES WHEN VISITING FOR THE FIRST TIME:
No forms, no rules, no stars, no diamonds – I want to figure out the qualities that really matter when choosing the perfect boutique hotel for two…
As you arrive, is the scene high on wow-factor?
Is the setting sensational?
Does the receptionist treat me like an old friend?
What makes the interiors imaginative?
Are any views remarkable?
Why are those flowers not fresher?
Is there a nothing’s-too-much-trouble attitude?
Would they fix me a bite to eat if I arrived out of hours?
Is there a sign pointing to conference facilities?
How long would I be happy to stay in my suite?
Are the sheets soft-to-the-touch and super-high threadcount?
Can the lighting or temperature be controlled in every bedroom?
Is the bathroom brimming with above-average products?
Will that shower really drench me?
Could you fit two in that tub?
I want a minibar full of surprises – will that just be the prices?
Can I have a full cooked-to-perfection breakfast in bed?
Are the walls thick enough to drown out my neighbours’ antics?
Is the cocktail lounge buzzing with guests and locals?
Are there too many suited-and-booted businessfolk?
Will my glass of white wine be chilled to perfection?
Can the barman mix me a perfect martini?
Am I going to be in trouble if I check out a bit late?
What table’s best for a candlelit dinner?
Could you call this hotel a destination in its own right?
Does it have that magical ambience that’s so hard to put into words?
And, most importantly… will Mr or Mrs Smith like it?
These are the factors to consider…
SIZE MATTERS
Is the hotel small enough? To qualify, a hotel should really be under 50 rooms, but it can still have more, but it needs to share the sensibilities of a good boutique. It can be big, but needs to feel intimate – cosy corners, a homely ambiance. You don’t want warrens of long, soulless corridors and cookie-cutter rooms. Somewhere might look pretty on its website but you don’t want to turn up and it’s actually some corporate behemoth. Sure lots of the chain hotels have introduced their own ‘boutique brands’ – but are these right for the ever-growing army of discerning weekend awayers? Sometimes. But how do you know who to trust? This is why Mr & Mrs Smith exists. Jaded by fusty B&Bs and chain hotels, we crave quirky, and we want quality. And we don’t want to waste a minute of our precious leisure time or our hard-earned cash.
STYLE
This needs to be modern, but by this I don’t simply mean ‘contemporary’ or ‘designer’ – somewhere can be traditional but still utterly à la mode and chic. Injecting a few modern fabrics, arranging artworks in a certain way, adding the right floral accents, and perfecting the 21st-century lighting scheme can all contribute to creating the ideal boutique hotel environment.
Traditional, yet modern-minded: At the turn of the century, we were all chucking out the chintz, and traditional country hotels seemed terribly dreary to stylish urbanites, but now that we’re all bored of minimalist/hi-tech trimmings, old-fashioned is often the antidote.
Hotels that exemplify this:
Prestonfield in Edinburgh is a wonderful, lavish more-is-more concoction of reds and blacks, out-of-this-world antiques, incredible rich soft furnishings.
Whatley Manor in Wiltshire masterfully blends classic elegance with modernity; incredible spa. Some of the decor not quite my persona cup of tea – chintzy and a bit too mock mediaeval in parts – but the overall property, stunning spa and spectacular setting make it a winner.
Chewton Glen in Hampshire is probably our favourite of our Vintage collection, as its outstanding service means that you barely even need to hear about the contemporary elements to know it’s still a chic retreat for a discerning urbanite.
Charlton House in Somerset has really interesting pieces in each room which gives real personality – a copper bath in one,a massive projection screen in another – it’s finding the balance between traditional, with contemporary flourishes, and creating somewhere that’s a far cry from what you have at home.
The Rectory in Devon. The Rectory’s owners, Jonathan and Julian, betray their Hotel du Vin and antique-dealer backgrounds in its new lease of life. Homely and comfortable, with enough imagination and personality to surprise even the most jaded travellers.
ATTENTION TO DETAIL
This really cuts the wheat from the chaff for me. I don’t mean the edge of the loo-roll folded into a point (I never do understand why chambermaids do that) but just the feeling that a hotel has thought through the whole experience of staying with them, and every element of presentation and usability. You don’t want gimmicks for the sake of it, but little treats and unique touches can be cute – especially when they’re also helpful.
Pool House, Scotland: hot-water bottles at bedtime at accompanied by a little stuffed toy and the note: ‘I am Oscar the Otter – if you do not wish to be disturbed, please place me outside your door. Should you wish to go otter-spotting, the weather forecast suggests snowy showers tomorrow. Wrap up warm!’
Gorah Elephant Camp, South Africa: When guests return to their rooms at night, a turned-down bed and soft faux-fur blanket and fluffy pillows aren’t all that beckon. To help ensure a sound night’s slumber, treats left out include Amarula liqueurs and biscotti, or an aromatherapy burner with a hand-written note explaining its sweet soporific smells.
Dar Ahlam, Ouarzazate (pictured below), and sister hotel Romaneira in Portugal: Mealtimes at both are pure fantasy – it’s no coincidence that the name of this luxury hotel created by Parisian party planner, Thierry Teyssier, translates from Arabic to ‘House of Dreams’. Dining at the 19th-century kasbah feels like a carefully choreographed theatre production; guests are discretely ushered to a new private spot for each meal and aperitif. Entirely different crockery and cutlery for each and every mealtime.
Soho Hotel in London. A cute touch was an aromatherapy spray labelled ‘sleep well’ which appeared on the bedside tables at turning-in time.
Ickworth House, Suffolk, has loads of Hunter wellies for guests to use.
At Hotel Omm in Barcelona, Spaciomm is their Asian-accented spa haven. I remember thinking that every detail of your experience has been considered here from the grey kimono-like robe and Camper slippers to the rocking lounge beds and cups of special herbal tea you are handed post-treatment.
As this piece in the NY Times points out, too many of the big chains have jumped on the boutique bandwagon, so it’s more important than ever for us to distinguish the wannabes from the credibles.
