Blakes Hotel

London is home to a collection of the most famous hotels in the world, and scatters its treasures far and wide. You can find the sexiest suites in London, created by Anouska Hempel, in a secluded setting in South Kensington. Blakes, possibly also the most theatrical and over-the-top hotel in London or anywhere else, is situated between Old Brompton Road and Fulham Road.

When you step into the hush of the converted Victorian townhouses, as celebrities have been doing since the seventies, you’re entering a totally different world of intimacy and sumptuous luxury.

This recently multimillion pound refurbished couture hotel, is a world of grandeur and exoticism. Blakes Hotel delivers the antidote to minimalism, with Anouska Hempel’s eye for a maximally decorated interior. Behind the black Victorian façade, you’ll find a tantalizing fusion of eastern and western styles.

Each of the 47 guest rooms at Blakes has its own style, but all are inspired by various far-off lands. If you’re susceptible to sensory overload we can recommend something in white, like the immaculate Corfu Suite. iPod docks by Bang & Olufsen, telephones and TVs make it possible for every room to function as a self-contained hideaway.

The peaceful courtyard is the perfect place for lunch. After dark it’s all about the eastern inspired restaurant and the Blakes bar, with black mirrors setting the stage for a flirty cocktail. If you like, just order in room service, and dine in your own private fantasyland.