Fine Individual Hotels and Luxury Hotels in the UK

It has been published in the press recently that it is the luxury or more up market hotels who had seen the best of 2008 in this industry. This could be due to many factors but luxury and the new wave of boutique hotels offer far more value for money in terms of service, quality and the cuisine.

With the rise in fuel prices affecting the prices of flights abroad, it is anticipated that there will be a rise in people taking if not their main holiday then at least more frequent short breaks in the UK. The choice of hotels in the UK is exceptional and it is often uttered why so many people from the UK holiday abroad when they have such amazing scenery in Scotland, The Lake District and the South West of England for example. The state of the Euro will have a huge impact on British people taking European holidays and the UK tourism industry is hoping for a bumper 2009.

Boutique hotels are becoming increasingly more popular, with the consumer realising the service and individuality that comes with them. These luxury, boutique hotels are all personally-managed and owned hotels so the guest will find a quality of service and accommodation that will have even the most discriminating visitor purring with delight. On top of the excellent service, these hotels generally have imaginatively furnished bedrooms and bathrooms, soft, plump sofas you sink into, dining rooms with well-spaced tables and lots of fine linens and china which accentuate the luxury. Most have fine dining restaurants where the menus can range from classical to contemporary, using locally sourced produce and which change every day. The food is very important in a luxury hotel. Having the best of surroundings, service and quality fittings need to be combined with a restaurant which has an exceptional menu. Even top, award winning chefs are realising the potential in owning a hotel. Chefs such as Gordon Ramsey (The York and Albany, Camden), Michael Caines (Gidleigh Park, Devon) and John Burton Race (The Angel Dartmouth).

Conferencing is becoming more popular at luxury hotels. Management training courses, team building and leadership training can be held at most. With the land surrounding the hotels, courses can be held but then luxurious conferencing rooms and facilities are waiting for you when you get in. Staying in such surrounding is known to have a positive impact on the course and gets the most out of each delegate.

By: Jenny Hickling