Reviewed and Recommended ~ Blakes Hotel, South Kensington, London; Romantic Bolthole & Intimate City Chic Wedding Venue…

 

"The most discreet, sexy and flamboyant hotel in London…" 

Elle

 

Here's one to see us through until Monday my lovelies, because we all need a break every once in a while, and tomorrow is important family time – and very important easter egg hunting in the garden time! 🙂

As part of my new 'Reviewed and Recommended' pages, I'd like to talk today about a hotel that stole my heart on a recent business trip to London. A place that had me in awe from the moment I stepped into its tiny but romantic and alluring, oriental inspired lobby area and was greeted with impeccable manners and a warm smile by the equally impeccably dressed concierge.

It is a place I've returned to a couple of times since my first visit, and that I very much now have a strong love affair with…

Love My Dress Wedding Blog – Photography Copyright (c) 2012, Blakes Hotel

Blakes Hotel is located on the corner of Roland Gardens, a peaceful street in South Kensington and Chelsea {about a £25 black cab ride from Kings Cross if you're wondering, otherwise the nearest tube station is South Kensington, about a 10 minute walk away}. 

Painted in all black from the outside but otherwise blending in discreetly with the tall and handsome Victorian terraced townhouses that it is adjoined to {and that command your attention with their incredible brickwork}, Blakes is a hotel that has been designed for those who appreciate luxury, elegant bohemian style, and oriental inspired decor.  This is a hotel for those who want to truly indulge…

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If you're anything like me, you'll be pretty hot on checking Trip Advisor before you book into any new hotel, and this is exactly what I did for Blakes.  Granted, there were some less than perfect customer service reviews there, but not many, and what impressed me the most was that the hotel Manager had replied to each and every comment left by previous visitors.  You don't see this all to often, and the fact they had done this convinced me that the hotel took customer service very seriously, and so, I made my booking, and I'm glad to say that I didn't regret it for an instant.

Blakes is not like any other hotel I have ever stayed at. Evidently a regular bolt-hole for celebrities looking for a discreet hideaway {I spotted Lady Gaga leaving the the hotel when researching Google images}, it is almost like stepping in to another world from the moment you arrive.  It certainly has something of the dark and mysterious about it, starting with it's dinky but beautifully decorated lobby area, with walls in shades of burnt orange and brown, artifacts from travels from all over the world are placed on the walls, floor and any available surfaces for you to admire and an old fashioned style wooden bird cage sits in regal style splendour on the side.  And yes, there was a real live bird inside…

 

”It's a super-chic design hotel, but comfortable and sexy. It is perfect for a romantic trip ”

Gwyneth Paltrow

 

The lobby area provides hints of the decor and style that awaits you in one of the luxuriously appointed hotel rooms, each of which has been individually styled and decorated to reflect a sense of oriental opulence…

Blakes was created in 1978 by the world renowned designer Anouska Hempel and is regarded, by those in the know, to have been the world's first luxury 'boutique' hotel.  

Described as 'a seductive design journey through India, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and on to the Pyramids, back through Italy ending up in the heart of London', it is  elegant, eclectic, and in abundance with ethnic luxury, furniture and accessories – items found all over the world by the designer herself over many years of far flung travels.  It's such a fun and intriguing experience to even be stood inside this hotel admiring your surroundings…

I'm a bit of a sucker for a boutique hotel {my preferred style of abode whenever I'm away from home} and Blakes initially came to my attention when I was researching for somewhere a little more luxurious to say with my husband, during a business-come-personal trip last month.

Very luckily for us, Mr & Mrs Smith had a 'two for one' promotion on at the time, and so we were able to book four nights away at Blakes for the usual price of two, which did make a big difference; Blakes is not one for those trying to keep their purse strings drawn tight {full rates are available here}. Luxury doesn't come cheap though, and you absolutely get what you pay for and more in this case; pure unadulterated luxury right in a discreet getaway moments in a taxi from the excitement and purse twitching stretch of boutiques on the Kings Road, Chelsea.

The stunning bed below is in the room that Phil and I stayed in, one of the 'Directors Double' rooms, {there are several of this time of room at the hotel, each a spacious 25-35 square metres in size}. 

Described as Blakes 'signature' style room, the Directors Double are spacious but with a real sense of privacy and well, general sexiness really – walls painted in black and furniture with black and gold accents adds to the sense of luxury.  Ornaments and beautiful finds from oriental shores sit perched on all surfaces from the floor up…

On entering our Directors Double room, we were met immediately with a closet style dressing area to the left, and on the right, a large bathroom with marble surfaces and an utterly huge shower-head.   The Molten Brown bathroom freebies were wonderful – and replaced fresh every morning…

All of Blakes rooms are dramatic and luxurious.  Nothing would seem too over the top in one of these rooms, they are designed to ooze decadence and encourage indulgence.

Room service at Blakes is superb too.  We ordered regularly to eat in our room and food is delivered to your dining area in the room in just the way you would expect a top class concierge to operate.  Quietly, discreetly, politely, in an 'at your service Ma'am'. Kind of way.  Always makes me giggle that one – Ma'am 🙂

A narrow set of stairs from the lobby takes you downstairs to the ‘Opium Den’, or The Chinese Room, which sits next to Blakes' critically acclaimed restaurant…

The Chinese Room is adorned in luxurious soft furnishings and a myriad of slipper orchids where candles and a fascinating collection of coffee table books are in profusion.  I sat down in the Chinese Room working one morning and it was so relaxing and peaceful. I didn't need to ask for my tea to be replaced, it just was, by the passing staff who were observing discreetly to ensure I was at my most comfortable, and when I felt a little peckish, I ordered a club sandwich – Blakes does a club sandwich like no other. Be prepared to feel full and have your taste buds assaulted if you do the same…

Blakes bar is small but perfectly formed.  It is a big hit however with London’s fashionable ‘it’ crowd who I gather regularly pop in for a bit of a sharpener.  The bar sits just to one side of the restaurant, the walls of which are layered with fans made from the feathers of rare birds from exotic climes such as Brazil and the Ecuadorian rainforests.

Blakes isn't one for those seeking a very modern contemporary style with all mod-cons.  Coridoors are dark and dimly lit, the lift is tiny.  But this is a place for people who appreciate a sense of 'old', of past, where little imperfections make it all the more perfect, where the slightly worn corners of furniture and the glass in that mirror that probably needs to be replaced adds all the more to the charm, mystique and unique appeal.

But that's not to say the hotel isn't without it's mod-cons. Wifi is available throughout. There are Bang&Olufsen TV's in every room {ours was hidden away inside a beautiful, painted, wooden wardrobe}. And if it takes your fancy, there's a gym downstairs too.

A well stocked mini-bar and snack tray {complete with berocca for when you're feeling particulary unvirtuous and hungover} awaits you on your arrival – though I would say be careful how much you are tempted to take from that mini-bar, it soon tots up…

The porter mentioned to me that the hotel was undergoing a major refurbishment, and a taxi driver happened to ask what Blakes was like inside… "It used to be the most amazing place you know, real top knotch, and I wonder if it's promoting itself on past glory?'"

I didn't, and don't think so at all.  There is something very special about Blakes, something rather magical about it…

For those seeking a unique wedding venue, Blakes offers some really wonderful options for an intimate city-chic and luxuriously romantic style wedding.

From the Blakes Hotel brochure…

"Blakes caters for all, whether it is a quiet intimate gathering, renewing old vows, or a traditional full wedding celebration. Our attention to detail and flexibility will ensure the perfect Wedding Ceremony and Reception, so you and your guests can relax and celebrate your day in style.

There is only one Blakes and we would love you to see it for yourself, we can assure you that we will make your special day an unforgettable experience."

There are three ceremony rooms that can be hired for a wedding ceremony or intimate vow renewal.  Suite 007 is the largest suite for a ceremony and the most popular choice with Blakes brides, decorated in romantic shades of raspberry and ivory. The suite has a separate entrance hall, bedroom, kitchenette and lounge and can house a maximun of 40 guests during a ceremony.  The hire fee is £1,900 + VAT based on two nights of accommodation.  View the floor plan for room 007 here.

The second largest suite for a ceremony is suite 003, which also has room for up to 15 guests during a ceremony and costs £1,200 + VAT to hire based on two nights accommodation.  View the floor plan for suite 003 here.

Suite 505 is the third of the spaces available to hire for a marriage ceremony or vow renewal, and provides space for a maximum of 8 guests.  This suite costs £1,400 + VAT based on two nights accommodation.  View the floor plan for suite 505 here.

I would highly recommend Blakes as a romantic weekend London bolt-hole or a beautiful, unique wedding venue.  You will be treated like you are a member of royalty whilst a guest at Blakes. You won't want to leave when the time comes.  I've been there for business and pleasure and on both occasions I had the most wonderful and 'well looked after' experience you could wish for being away from  home and seeking something a little luxurious…

"Blakes is more decadent, more luxurious and sexier than ever…"
Harper's Bazaar

To find out more, visit the Blakes Hotel website {via which you can download this helpful PDF brochure}, read the Trip Advisor reviews or see Blakes on Facebook and Twitter, or take a peek at this little video teaser, courtesy of Mr & Mrs Smith {cheesy voice-over man included}, who also provide this review of Blakes Hotel on their website…

By the way, ask for Angelo on the reception desk and tell him I sent you his way :)  Oh and one other tip, if you intend to travel by taxi when in London, and you have an iphone/iPad, download the Addison Lee App – booking your journey through this reputable company will save you around 30% on the usual black cab fees.  I use them all the time.

Has anyone else stayed at Blakes or would you be interested in planning a stay after this review?

I hope it's not long before I can return to  Blakes. It is definitely my favourite London Hotel yet and one of the reasons my love affair for London continues to grow. Next up on 'Reviewed and Recommended'; The Rockwell.  For now, you can browse more in the new 'Reviewed and Recommended' section.

Hope you're all having a lovely Saturday everyone and that you have much fun tomorrow gorging on the sweet stuff 🙂

Annabel

♥

*  This is not a sponsored post and I was not 'gifted' a room at Blakes Hotel.  I am sharing my experience of staying at this hotel with you because I want to.