Among the broad range of hotels in the British capital, there are three sophisticated and luxurious boutique hotels with an ambiance that evokes the Georgiam period. They are The Rookery, Hazlitt’s and Batty Langley’s. All boast lavish rooms dedicated to historical figures, wood paneling, fireplaces, beautiful artwork and antique furniture. Their atmosphere reflects the luxury, pomp and pageantry of the era of greatest splendor for the British Empire.
The Rookery
12 Peter’s Lane and Cowcross Street
Located in trendy Clerkenwell, near St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern Gallery, The Rookery is a haven of peace where the warmth and welcoming décor make guests feel as if they were in 19th-century England. Besides its two beautiful spaces for business meetings, The Library and The Drawing Room, the hotel has 33 rooms and three extraordinary suites. Two of the suites are named after celebrated personalities such as Sir Walter Manny and the French chemist Theophilus Garencières, who studied the prophecies of Nostradamus. But undoubtedly, the most exclusive suite is The Rook’s Nest, a two-story accommodation located on the top floor, overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral and the imposing Old Bailey building, headquarters of the London courts.
Hazlitt’s
6 Frith Street, Soho Square
The Hazlitt’s hotel is made up of a group of historic Georgian houses in Frith Street, near Soho Square, right in the center of London´s theater district and within walking distance of Oxford Street, Covent Garden and the Bond Street boutiques. The old buildings, dating from 1718, have been carefully reconstructed and equipped with new plumbing, and modern bathrooms—and candles have been replaced by electricity. The Club Double and Superior Double are very comfortable rooms, but the most requested accommodations are the three luxurious suites: Baron Willoughby, Teresa Cornelys and Duke of Monmouth. The hotel also features a meeting room that accommodates up to twelve people, called The Wardrobe.
Batty Langley’s
12 Folgate Street, Spitalfields
This charming hotel pays homage to Baty Langley, a prolific writer and renowned garden designer of the early decades of the 18th century, whose work inspired the decor of many of the hotel’s interior spaces. The Batty Langley’s hotel is located in the famous Spitalfields, a residential area with trendy restaurants and bars, and home to many celebrities and artists. Among the most special accommodations we found three adorable junior suites—Anna Maria Garthwaite, Abdías Shuttleworth y Peter Merzean plus the emblematic Kitty Fisher and Earl of Bolingbroke Suites—all fitted with exclusive details, such as antique marble bathtubs and valuable antique engravings. Also, the hotel has three impressive lounges and meeting rooms: The Tapestry Room, The Parlour and The Sir William Wheeler Library. ■