A la Colthard/the Boutique Hotel

If  there has been one development in the hotel industry that has irritated me it’s been the rise of the boutique hotel.

As often as not these are designed in a small space but disguise the size with a modern makeover and a few gimmicks.

Last weekend I had to attend a 65th birthday celebration in North West London and booked in at the Hide Hotel in Hendon.

This was a conversion of several houses along the busy dual carriageway, the Hendon Way.

The room was minuscule with hardly space for anything except the double bed. There was a flat surface below the television and no chair but a square stool.

The decor was modern with design effects but I heard another guest complain about the lack of space.

I find older hotels even the ones in 1960 style tower blocks have more space. Though certainly not cheap, a room I stayed in Claridges last April had a wardrobe/dressing area about half the size of the Hide room and a huge bathroom and bedroom space.

To be fair the Hide was not expensive – under £200 for the two nights – but in reality it was a bed and breakfast.

I don’t mind intimacy but I still need space to express myself !!!