Batty Langley’s is quite unique, a quirky London boutique hotel that feels more like a private member’s club in the heart of Spitalfields. Behind the handsome Georgian exterior there are a multitude of surprises waiting for you inside, from an honesty bar to working fireplaces and antique furnishings galore.
Batty Langley’s – Spitalfields Boutique Hotel
Created by the same team behind historic Hazlitt’s hotel in Soho and The Rookery in Clerkenwell, this Spitalfields hidden gem has a very luxurious vibe. You may be wondering where the unusual name for the hotel comes from?
Batty Langley was a 16th century designer who published handbooks helping clients to furnish their Georgian houses in “the most Grand Taste”. He was very influential at the time, even in the United States on George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.
Arriving at the discreet exterior of Batty Langley’s, you wouldn’t know it was a hotel and guests ring a bell to gain access. Straight away, we noticed the impressive columns and antique paintings in the hallway, and the staff on reception made us feel very at home.
They’ll ask whether you would like complimentary tea or coffee in your room and a tray will be brought up to you. There are 29 rooms and suites, all named after local historical characters, since the owners don’t believe in numbering their guests.
The lift is lined with wooden panelling and as decorative as everything in the hotel.
Luxury London Boutique Hotel
We had been invited to stay in a Junior Suite, named Peter Merzean, which in many hotels would be considered the top range suite as it was so spacious. With a separate lounge area, incredible antique ceramic bath with Carrara marble casing and separate power shower, it was truly unique. Quadruple glazing and a very comfy bed ensures that you’ll sleep like a baby.
Not only was there a flat screen Apple TV hidden behind an ornate cabinet, our room had air conditioning, a personal safe, well stocked mini bar and complimentary WiFi. There’s information about all the people that the rooms have been named after, and we discovered that Peter Merzean was a silk throwster.
He specialized in transforming raw silk into yarn that could be made into the woven cloth for which the Spitalfields area of London was famous. The fun continued in the bathroom where we admired that spectacular bath and antique-effect taps, as well as some of Batty’s drawings on the wall.
And as you can see, the rest of the bathroom did not disappoint – the power shower may have looked retro but it packed a very modern punch. The organic REN toiletries are the most generous size that we have seen yet in a hotel.
Some of the rooms have throne loos, we spotted one on our tour of the hotel the next morning.
Things to Do in Spitalfields
By now we had worked up an appetite for dinner, and ventured out to Spitalfields and the market area. Batty Langley’s does not have a restaurant as it is so close to a multitude of local cafés and restaurants, however you can order a range of tasty dishes from room service if you prefer.
If dining out, there’s something for all tastes, French cuisine, tapas, modern British, seafood – the list goes on. We admired Nicholas Hawksmoor’s Christ Church – he was Wren’s assistant before becoming famous in his own right.
The market itself is a great place to buy fun gifts and craftswork, and there are many interesting places to eat and drink inside it and around its borders. Don’t miss historic Dennis Sever’s House next door to Batty Langley’s – it’s a veritable time capsule of a house that recreates the lives of a family of Huguenot silk-weavers from 1724 onwards.
You visit by candlelight and mobile phones have to be turned off so it’s very atmospheric. After a casual but flavourful dinner at trendy Blixen, we returned to the hotel for a nightcap in the Tapestry Room before turning in for the night.
Breakfast at Batty Langley’s
Breakfast in bed is a great way to start the day in style and this was no exception. Guests can opt for healthy granola with fresh fruits and yoghurt, bagels with delicious smoked salmon or a bacon butty if feeling really naughty.
Facilities at Batty Langley’s
Start off in the Tapestry Room, hung with 17th century tapestries, and featuring that honesty bar incorporated into a large antique book case. This air conditioned room would be great for private events, with seating for up to six at an antique table and an open fireplace next to comfy sofas, ideal as a breakout space.
The Tapestry Room opens on to a lovely private garden with a working period fountain. It’s open to hotel guests when the room has not been booked for a private event.
Sir William Wheeler Library
This is is a very light room, as there’s a Victorian lantern roof that gives it natural daylight, whilst another working fireplace would be a welcome feature in Winter. Also air-conditioned, it seats six to eight people and is open to hotel guests when not in use. We had fun browsing the antique books in here.
Perhaps our favourite of all the reception rooms is the Parlour. The red colour theme makes it extremely inviting and it has lots of natural daylight.
The folding shutters can be completely closed for photo shoots though. We loved the solid oak flooring, period china cupboard and hand woven rugs, though its thoroughly up to date, with a concealed flat screen Apple TV and media hub.
And now for something even more spectacular, the Earl of Bolingbroke Suite. The huge sunny terrace has views towards Spitalfields, the City and right the way to the Olympic Park.
Covering two levels, there’s a luggage lift to save you carrying bags up to bed, and an ornate canopy bed that was originally built for a bishop.
The marble bath is an antique from Tuscany, but I’m about to reveal our favorite part of this suite.
It’s a bathroom hidden behind a bookcase!
Here’s another stunning living room in one of the other junior suites.
Batty Langley’s is a brilliant place to stay if you have business in the City or a leisure trip and want to be somewhere totally individual.
What do you think of Batty Langley’s? Do you like the historic style?
Batty Langley’s, 12 Folgate Street, Spitalfields, London, E1 6BX
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Wow! Suze, this is an excellent find! It seems so homey – if home were a London townhome from the Georgian era. But it also is comfortable and welcoming. Would it be wrong to say I wonder what it would be like to use the throne loo? 🙂
Ha ha, I wondered about that too Betsy! Our room didn’t have one but they did look impressive
I love the cute, quirkiness of this hotel, I much prefer hotels that are interesting and individual, I never like the generic style that some modern hotels have.
Lots of love,
Angie
SilverSpoon London
Batty Langley’s certainly fits the bill, it’s one of the most unusual places I’ve stayed in
Ah, Suze, this hotel looks like a fairy tale castle! Do you get to stay in all these beautiful places? I’ve seen a few top notch hotels in my life, but this one is really charming.
Yes I did get to stay there, it was quite a quick visit as I had something on the next morning but I had a great night’s sleep!
I am in love with this style. I went to London in July, and I wish I learned about this place beforehand:)
http://www.yuliannova.com/
It’s gorgeous isn’t it Yulia, do you have any hotels like that in Montreal?
How charming is this place! I love all those antique gothic touches in the furnishings.
Sxx
www.daringcoco.com
Spot on, Sonia – the whole place has a very gothic feel
This looks amazing! I love really unique hotels, especially ones that are really quirky. What a lovely find!
Lauren xx | The Lifestyle Diaries
It would be right up your street, Lauren! Looking forward to hearing all about Croatia
I had a great dip in that tub, it was really spacious!
Wow this is one gorgeous place!That bed looks so comfy I would totally be jumping on that hehe and take relaxing baths
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
I had such a relaxing bath, the whole experience was brilliant!
So many nice places! I love the terrace and that library. A rainy sunday with all those books would be perfect! xx
It would be a great place to read the Sunday papers and delve into all those books!
I love the slightly gothic feel of this hotel- it’s really cool 🙂 That throne toilet is hilarious!
Rachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net
The throne toilet is definitely fit for a King or Queen!
The blue room with the secret door is amazing, I would love to stay in there! Looks like a beautiful place, glad you had a great time! x Jersey Girl x www.jerseygirl.co
It’s like something out of a fairytale, you’d have loved it Melissa
Oh gosh, that all looks SO beautiful! I love Boutique hotels. They just have that little extra something.
Xx Naomi in Wonderland
I agree, it’s nice to have a few personal touches in the decor and service
Wow! Suze, this is an excellent find! Michaela
Glad you liked it Michaela
I love the way they name their rooms, and the hidden space is very cool! Totally my kind of getaway!:-)
It would be nice if all hotels could name their rooms but probably very impractical for larger ones!
this place is marvelous, like all the places I’ve seen here on blog, your blog is really such a great and useful London guide, my dear
kisses from Italy
http://www.theitalianglam.com/
Oh that’s so kind Dora, I’m going to create a London guide section under My London to put these all in one place! Love your Italian inspiration and I can’t wait for my visit to the Amalfi Coast later this month
The room looks exceptional.
Lovin the design as well
Feel like a princess 🙂
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It really does make you feel like a princess, staying there – I found it hard to leave!
It looks great! I actually love spending weekends in hotels. Just sleep all day, order room service and get total lazy 🙂
MONDAY PROJECTS
That’s so tempting isn’t it – and such a relaxing way to spend a weekend
Wow, what a lovely place! I love all the old architecture.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
They’ve really renovated it well, would be a great place for a photo shoot
Wow,that place looks really awesome
i love the presentation of the food too
Such a cute place to stay! Loving the photos!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Glad you liked them Ashley, hope your week is going well
Absolutely magnificent! Love the pics!
Sending you a big hug!
xoxo, Vanessa
www.WhatWouldVWear.net
Thanks Vanessa, it really was a magnificent hotel
It’s totally up your street Jasiminne, in fact it’s very close to you!
Is really an awesome place, a great experience to be there
Melange-Boutique Blog by Noe&Lolita
It was a fantastic experience, wish I had had longer to stay there
Nice place. Love it.
I will follow you, if you would like to follow me back, that would be nice.
Check out my blog
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Also check this out
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Love the quirk factor – that breakfast in bed looks just so lovely and indulgent and I love the idea of each room having a story of an individual behind it. Such a lovely looking boutique hotel – love places like this!
I should do breakfast in bed at home but I never want to risk spilling anything, it’s such a great indulgence though!
this hotel looks so regal
xo
www.laurajaneatelier.com
Regal is the word Laura, spot on!
Gorgeous hotel! Almost makes me wish I could stay there, but i do love my new flat in London haha 🙂
www.mademoiselleaventure.com
Congrats on your new flat Caroline, you can always take design inspiration from Batty Langley!
I will try! And thanks 🙂
What a stunning hotel, I love destinations with character and this has lots of beautiful details. I hadn’t heard of the hotel previously but love Spitalfields so is perfect Lucy x
They opened quite recently and they do keep quite a low profile – a lot of celebs stay there apparently 😉
Such a cute and quirky – but still so luxurious – place. I love hotels like this because they’re the ones you never forget. Would definitely stay here, must check it out!
Elle
www.theellenextdoor.com
xx
The hotel looks phenomenal. What struck me most are the unique bathtubs. Just wow. Would love to experience this in real life.
www.LUXESSED.com
They’ve spared no expense on the bathtubs and I was surprised how roomy our one was with no taps getting in the way of your back!
Absolutely amazing!
www.stylentonic.com
It was amazing Constantinos, hope you’re having a good week
The blue bedroom is splendid
and the breakfast yummy 😉
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr
This is so gorgeously quirky – even down to the name! The breakfast looks delicious and I love Ren products too so all in all this looks like the hotel for my next jaunt to London!
I love the bath tubs and what a cool thing to have a secret bedroom! Not too sure about the blue coloured room, but yours is definitely pretty.
Honey x The Girl Next Shore
That bath looks amazing!
Hugs & Kisses Suze !!!
This looks like such a beautiful place. Spitalfields is one of my favorite areas, but I actually wouldn’t have thought to find such a hotel there to be honest. A true hidden gem 🙂
Now this, this is what I call a boutique hotel – how stunning!
This little boutique hotel certainly reminds me of the quaint hacienda & homes I’m always seeing on corcoran.com and I loveeeeee these small boutiques! I wish South Florida had more spots like this! I’ve stayed in boutiques like these in Orlando and North Florida and they always have me going back!
Whoa, what a cool hotel! I really love all those traditional yet modernized decor, and that blue room is gorgeous! With the bath next to the fireplace and the secret room behind the bookshelf. Does that lead to the bathroom??
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