A Great Place To Stay - A Boutique Hotel and Brasserie
I can't help it. I'm a traveller. I'm hooked. I have itchy feet. But, after a full day's excursion and exertion, there's nothing I enjoy more than returning to my hotel for a fine meal, a glass (or two) of my favourite tipple and a luxurious night's rest nuzzling deep under the duvet in my warm, comfortable room. Bliss.
Just lately I've sampled the delights of a few upmarket boutique hotels and guess what? They've all had an excellent brasserie. Slips off the tongue quite nicely doesn't it? Boutique hotel and brasserie. But what exactly is a boutique hotel? And a brasserie?
Well, we have to go back a little, to the 1980's... where a new trend of hotel, the boutique hotel, began appearing in cities like New York, London, and Paris. Twenty five years or so later you can now find them in most cities and larger towns around the world. Normally boutique hotels are intimate and luxurious with no more than 60 rooms or so. They're often privately owned which means guests enjoy a more personal experience than they would at a hotel chain and are made to feel very special with first-class service tailored to meet their individual needs.
Dcor and furnishings range from classical to the more avant garde. Each room is invariably eye-catching and unique, with its own look and feel. There are differing approaches when it comes to facilities on offer. Some go with the latest technology in the form of satellite television, bar fridges, fax and the internet, whilst others prefer to focus on a more hushed and luxurious atmosphere, concentrating instead on impeccable service.
And the brasserie? Ah, yes, the brasserie. Well, the classic definition of a brasserie is "a restaurant serving beer with food." Many boutique hotels have excellent brasseries serving excellent food using fresh, organic ingredients. Forming part of the brasserie are bars filled with a wide selection of alcoholic delights. "Mine's a scotch, ta."
Recently I had the pleasure of staying in a superb boutique hotel, The Harrogate Brasserie Boutique Hotel located in the centre of this beautiful Yorkshire town. They have sixteen stylish rooms - each individually decorated to enhance the building's Victorian charm. All have en suite bathrooms, remote television, direct dial phones and hair dryers. Being in the middle of town there's a vibrant hustle and bustle about the place and guests can experience a host of attractions and browse the many upmarket stores.
The Royal Baths, Valley Gardens, Betty's Caf Tea Rooms, the International Conference Centre, the newly refurbished Royal Theatre and The Great Yorkshire Show are just a few of Harrogate's favourite place to see.
The owner of the Harrogate Brasserie Boutique Hotel, Richard Finney believes they've brought new meaning to the word 'brasserie' for, in addition to their fine menu and range of wines and ales, they've also introduced live jazz bands. The cool sounds of jazz over dinner makes for a rare and memorable evening experience.
And then it's to bed with my favourite duvet. Ah, more bliss!
Just lately I've sampled the delights of a few upmarket boutique hotels and guess what? They've all had an excellent brasserie. Slips off the tongue quite nicely doesn't it? Boutique hotel and brasserie. But what exactly is a boutique hotel? And a brasserie?
Well, we have to go back a little, to the 1980's... where a new trend of hotel, the boutique hotel, began appearing in cities like New York, London, and Paris. Twenty five years or so later you can now find them in most cities and larger towns around the world. Normally boutique hotels are intimate and luxurious with no more than 60 rooms or so. They're often privately owned which means guests enjoy a more personal experience than they would at a hotel chain and are made to feel very special with first-class service tailored to meet their individual needs.
Dcor and furnishings range from classical to the more avant garde. Each room is invariably eye-catching and unique, with its own look and feel. There are differing approaches when it comes to facilities on offer. Some go with the latest technology in the form of satellite television, bar fridges, fax and the internet, whilst others prefer to focus on a more hushed and luxurious atmosphere, concentrating instead on impeccable service.
And the brasserie? Ah, yes, the brasserie. Well, the classic definition of a brasserie is "a restaurant serving beer with food." Many boutique hotels have excellent brasseries serving excellent food using fresh, organic ingredients. Forming part of the brasserie are bars filled with a wide selection of alcoholic delights. "Mine's a scotch, ta."
Recently I had the pleasure of staying in a superb boutique hotel, The Harrogate Brasserie Boutique Hotel located in the centre of this beautiful Yorkshire town. They have sixteen stylish rooms - each individually decorated to enhance the building's Victorian charm. All have en suite bathrooms, remote television, direct dial phones and hair dryers. Being in the middle of town there's a vibrant hustle and bustle about the place and guests can experience a host of attractions and browse the many upmarket stores.
The Royal Baths, Valley Gardens, Betty's Caf Tea Rooms, the International Conference Centre, the newly refurbished Royal Theatre and The Great Yorkshire Show are just a few of Harrogate's favourite place to see.
The owner of the Harrogate Brasserie Boutique Hotel, Richard Finney believes they've brought new meaning to the word 'brasserie' for, in addition to their fine menu and range of wines and ales, they've also introduced live jazz bands. The cool sounds of jazz over dinner makes for a rare and memorable evening experience.
And then it's to bed with my favourite duvet. Ah, more bliss!
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