The first boutique hotel was believed to have been invented in the early 80s with The Blake Hotel in South Kensington and The Bedford in Union Square, San Francisco which both opened for trade in 1981. Classic design qualities for the Boutique Hotel require it to be small and intimate, yet offer 5 star service and luxury. However, it’s the image and branding of the boutique hotel which sets it apart. Guests initially visit because it’s fashionable to do so, yet return time and time again because of the exceptional level of service and un-pretentious environment.

Lime Wood in the New Forest has many of the characteristics of an outstanding boutique hotel. Reassuringly expensive; you definitely feel you are mixing with the ‘in crowd’, but not flashy or pretentious. The Regency County House is set in stunning grounds and the design combines classic elegant style with modern touches such as a retractable sliding roof over the courtyard bar.  The interior is comfortable, welcoming and charming.  Each room or suite is different, featuring hand picked art and furniture and bespoke pieces made for the hotel. This ensures you feel special and appreciated from the minute you enter, the collection of wellies, children’s bicycles and the dog friendly environment enhances the relaxed ambiance.

The world class spa “ The Herb Garden”, personal training, a chefs table and exceptional service from the front of house team ensures the 5 star feel but the individual attention. The thought and love behind each decision is what sets this hotel and other great boutique hotels apart and why we aspire to stay in them. This ‘experience’  is fundamental to the success of a boutique hotel, an element we are seeing reflected more and more within shopping centres.

www.limewoodhotel.co.uk

Set behind a rundown warehouse on the Eastern banks of the Spree in Berlin is an area which could still be referred to as “up and coming”; Badeschiff – a floating swimming pool and sauna, with a cool bar, deck area and DJ. Badeschiff, first opened in 2004 and was conceived by local artist Susanne Lorenze, Berlin City Art Project and Architects AMP and Gil Wilk, to act as a catalyst to enliven this area of the riverbank.

As the Spree is far too polluted to swim in, this floating pool gives Berliners, the chance to feel like they are swimming in the river throughout the year. Converted from 3 boats it provides a 32 x 8m pool, which opens at 8am and runs through to midnight. During the summer it’s a hot spot for the young and trendy of Berlin who are attracted by the party atmosphere and a chance to cool off during the hot summer months. However, in the winter the whole site is covered by a translucent shell and becomes a wellness centre.

I love the fact that this relatively cost effective development appeals to such a wide catchment throughout the year. It has become a destination in its own right, listed in many a guide book or as a site to visit in Berlin. Despite the effort required to find it, its well worth the trek and maybe a London developer could follow suit – how cool would it be to swim in or near the Thames.

As a complete foodie I was keen to visit Torvehallernekbh, which is Copenhagen’s answer to London’s Borough Market or Madrid’s Mercado de San Miguel. Covering some 70,000 sq ft, the market is split into two glass structures, with over 80 stalls inside the building and within a central piazza between the two buildings.  By dividing the market into 2 buildings, the market provides a welcoming feel, despite the clean lines and high ceilings.

The market appeals to local and tourist alike, with a breadth of everyday services from green grocers to butchers.  The tenant mix has evolved beyond the basic food stores and provides a range of homewear operators such as a knife shop for the amateur chef or the wine merchant who sells by the glass or the bottle, for your to take home.

Whether a new structure of this style could be constructed in London, would seem doubtful, due to the conflicts between land prices and lack of operators covenant. The high numbers of existing London markets may also conflict with the creation of a new market, especially one that trades 7 days a week.

www.torvehallernekbh.dk

The great thing about economic disruption is that the creatives get to have a say and none more so than in Athens where the green shoots in the F&B world have reached this once great City. The area around Monastiraki on the way to Psirri is starting to resemble the all too familiar city hipster zones. However, in this city it seems the gay community could be leading it to better things, and several of the cooler spots and the newly trading independents leading the show appear to be that way inclined.

We didn’t dwell at the door of Six d.o.g.s to find out, it is simply too good, we dived straight in to this amazing subterranean urban hang-out. You enter through a garage, and end up in a world of Babylon gardens, tiered against historic buildings and historic walls, where indoor outdoor event spaces buzz around a garden of surprise.

Six d.o.g.s and the Garden started  in 2010, and has evolved ever since. It is a charismatic 600 m2 outdoor café and bar and event venue in Athens. Located within a 5 minute walk from Onastiraki metro,  n the edge of the Psirri district, the garden is accessible via a dirty side road leading you into what you think will be Stelios’s lock up, but then a neon sign directs you down the stairs to a place that genuinely is a secret hideout and is surrounded by charmingly dilapidated old buildings.

The intervention in the garden of the six d.o.g.s. cultural centre in Athens, returns the site to its natural state. The garden’s focus is on space and merging a popular all day café bar , but a night time place to be, within a natural setting. The wooden bar and furniture plus simple lights hanging from the trees makes for a tranquil space, an oasis amongst the cement filled city of Athens –it is a sophisticated version of a ‘ruin bar’. The space is home to a number of great events including live music, theatre, parties, club nights, and much more. As a local it is a place for taking time out, as a tourist you feel like you are part of something secret and exciting – it is well worth a visit.

sixdogs.gr