You may think that using the word budget and boutique in the same sentence is a contradiction in terms. But it is not like that. All over the UK there are city hotels that, by cutting down on unnecessary luxuries such as stunning lobbies or swimming pools that you don’t have time to use, provide all the amenities that truly mean luxury – excellent service, luxurious bedding, fluffy towels, good breakfasts, sensational views.
These eight reasonably priced city hotels aren’t cheap, but they won’t break the bank, either. If you’re looking for a mid-winter retreat, post-vacation, or a comfortable place to relax while enjoying fine dining, theaters, and upscale shopping, take a look at these inexpensive boutique hotels.
Hotel du Vin St. Andrews
Direction
40 The Scores , St Andrews KY16 9AS , Reino UnidoGet directions
Hotel du Vin, the UK homegrown hotel chain that somehow manages not to feel like a chain, has done it again in St Andrews, the home of golf in Scotland.
The individual decor, opulent rooms, five-star service – everything about this brand screams luxury, much more luxury than the prices would suggest. In their incarnation of St Andrews, on a traditional stone and slate terrace in the old town, the rooms have a distinctly masculine clubby vibe with leather-upholstered sleigh beds and plenty of tweed and tartan. There are caddy rooms, with bunk beds, but even those have the hotel’s signature “soggy” showers, Egyptian cotton bedding, and touches of leather and tartan.
The decor definitely complements some of the best views in Scotland. Our reviewer enjoyed four separate windows, each with a view of the world-famous golf course, each with an ocean view. She said: “I could have watched it for hours, watching the tide fill and drain the saltwater pool, assessing each golfer’s swing on the 18th hole, but there was dinner, and it turned out to be even more special.”
Malmaison Birmingham
Direction
1 Wharfside St , Birmingham B1 1RD , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 121 794 3004
Web
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The Malmaison in Birmingham, one of the largest in the collection of this UK hotel group, is also one of the most modern. Enter the minimalist lobby to be greeted by black uniformed staff who are beautiful, mostly blonde (including the men) or dark exotic.
The sound of laughter and clinking glasses trickle down a wide carpeted staircase from the bistro and bar, mockingly out of sight around a bend.
Call it the perfect setting for a romantic getaway, but in the UK people are more outspoken. This is naughty weekend territory with beds that are like playgrounds – huge, tall, and firm with plush down comforters, white sheets, and tons of pillows.
Bathrooms are supplied with plenty of thick, huge towels and the company’s own brand of sexy toiletries in generous containers that are recommended to take with you.
Not cheap, but with plenty of weekend deals and plenty of rooms under £ 125, prices are relatively modest
Hotel Indigo Birmingham
Direction
The Cube, Wharfside St , Birmingham B1 1RS , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 121 643 2010
Web
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The Hotel Indigo in Birmingham’s posh Westside district, at one end of the upscale shopping area known as The Mailbox, is full of surprises.
The concept is as clever as the amazing building it is housed in (the top three floors of The Cube).
In essence, they’ve removed all the nonessential no-la-da-dahs from your usual luxury hotel: the shiny lobby, the plush rugs, the fondly rejected bedding on the pillow, the DVD player you never have. time to see. Instead, in a colorful yet minimalist setting, they’ve provided the luxuries you really appreciate in hotels at double the price.
Expect bathrooms equipped with dual rain showers with an additional powerful hand shower; oversized terry robes; plenty of fluffy towels, including face cloths; makeup or shaving mirror on an adjustable arm and Aveda and White Company toiletries.
Room luxuries include plenty of power points (electrical outlets), high-intensity reading lights on flexible arms on either side of the bed, and both work; a multi-color outlet “media center” for a variety of personal electronics and of course free wifi with codes not hard to master – just plug it in and play.
And the best luxury of all, the rooms are on the 23rd and 24th floor, high above it all for miles. The uninterrupted views from the wall-to-wall windows are spectacular.
Villa Magdala Bath
Direction
Henrietta Road, Bath BA2 6LX , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 1225 466329
Web
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Villa Magdala rooms are charming and charming places to wake up.
Daylight (and, if you’re lucky, even sunlight) streams between the cream blind slats. Birdsong rides the breeze from Henrietta Gardens, a small park across the street. And, thanks to the solid Victorian construction, if other guests are awake, you would never know.
There are 20 individually styled rooms on a quiet street just a ten minute walk from the center of Bath and all its wonderful shops. And the award-winning, seasonally changing breakfasts, included in the room rate, are truly spectacular.
They even offer free parking. In the bathroom! Darling.
42 The Leeds Calls
Direction
42 The Calls , Leeds LS2 7EY , UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 113 244 0099
Web
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Starting with its name, 42 The Calls, which is, in fact, also its address, everything about this Leeds hotel has an idiosyncratic charm. Housed in a former 18th century corn mill, it sits right on the Aire River. Some rooms on the river side have suspicious artwork and real, functional fishing rods, in case guests worry about throwing a line out the window. At night, Leed’s old world river view shines with character.
The irregularly shaped rooms conform to the eccentric shape of the old mill; Hallways twist around corners or go up and down steps so unexpectedly that it’s easy to get lost. The morning after I stayed, I had some difficulty finding my way out.
The public areas and rooms have been designed according to the original characteristics of the building. Everywhere you look, there are exposed brick walls, oak beams, industrial beams, and original mill mechanisms that were used to transport grain from the dock. My only complaint was the lack of lighting, but I’ve since heard reports that some of the rooms are a bit tired.
Before continuing, take the time to enjoy their original breakfasts, although a bit expensive.
Malmaison Oxford Castle
Direction
Oxford Castle, 3 New Rd , Oxford OX1 1AY , UKGet directions
Telephone
+44 1865 689944
Web
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Until 1995, each of the three vaulted chambers that made up my cool, whitewashed room at Malmaison Oxford Castle were separate cells in Her Majesty’s Prison, Oxford. Fans of the classic British television series, Inspector Morse , may recognize the galleried landings and open iron stairs that the hotel corridor depicts here as “A Wing” of Oxford Prison as described in the show.
Today, the lavish decor manages to be modern, luxurious, and medieval (at least in spirit) at the same time. And it evokes an even earlier period when this thousand-year-old building was a Norman castle.
It is about luxury. Frette bedding was spread out on dark wood beds dressed in thick feather pillows and deep black and wine velvet coverings. Votive candles flicker in dramatically lit rooms and public areas. Upholstered high-backed chairs, tartan rugs, and Oxford University crests and banners add to the baronial atmosphere.
It’s cozy, masculine, and glamorous, with a great bar and great vaulted breakfasts, once secluded for really bad boys. They say the place has ghosts too.
Hotel du Vin Bristol
Direction
The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead , Bristol BS1 2NU , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 117 403 2979
Web
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At the Hotel du Vin in Bristol, the showers are so spacious that you can invite six friends to join you for a cocktail party. They call it a “monsoon” shower, in other words, a version of the currently fashionable steroid rain showers. It has as much space as some people’s kitchens.
Perhaps not everyone is as enthused as I am by gorgeous hotel bathrooms, but the designers of the hotel group that owns Hotels du Vin surely must because delicious bathrooms and toiletries are among its distinguishing features. Another trademark is the company’s practice of converting interesting and important buildings in the city center. Your Bristol hotel is located in a Grade II listed 18th century sugar refinery.
Original floorboards, heavy oak beams, and exposed brick walls ensure the hotel’s historic origins shine through. But, period details are minimal, cleverly incorporated into rooms that are thoroughly modern and surprisingly luxurious for the price.
As the name of the hotel suggests, a good wine list and wine tasting events are part of the offer.
CitizenM Glasgow
Direction
60 Renfrew St , Glasgow G2 3BW , Reino UnidoGet directions
Telephone
+44 20 3519 1111
Web
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The citizenM Hotels website introduces the group to “mobile citizens of the world,” promising “untethered fun.” Online images show public areas with quirky, contemporary furniture and artwork; rooms with giant beds and wall-to-wall windows, adjustable mood lighting, and power showers / toilets that resemble the orgasmatron in “Sleeper.”
I envisioned the guests as lean young men of the 21st century, the girls with cropped hair and black pants, the guys with ironically retro wardrobes and over-the-top hairdos. The type of people who travel with little more than their smartphone, perhaps a tablet, a change of underwear, and a toothbrush.
In fact, at this small but luxurious hotel, a mobile citizen of the world can be anyone, from retired vacationers to businessmen and students and, yes, even young and hip.
Technology features in the rooms include an iPad that runs on heat and lighting and opens and closes the blinds on the wall window. While the small size isn’t for everyone, the beds are great and you can have fun playing with the lighting effects for hours.
