Boutique vs. chain hotels – discover the difference

When looking for the right hotel, the choices on offer can be overwhelming, especially in big cities. It can be easy to opt for the familiarity of a large, well-known chain hotel, but might you be missing out on something special by choosing a boutique option? Learn about the differences between boutique and chain hotels here and discover what Brama can bring to your next city break that you might not find at a chain.

Chain hotels tend to be larger, with standardised decor and amenities, often located in business or tourist districts of a city. By contrast, boutique hotels have fewer rooms, unique decor, more personalised service and amenities, and are often located in trendy, vibrant neighbourhoods slightly off the beaten track.

Boutique hotels are often in interesting buildings, with a strong emphasis on design and ambiance. Unlike their chain counterparts, which follow the same brand identity across all locations, independent boutique hotels can bring more flair and personality into their interiors, creating a unique aesthetic that sets them apart from a chain’s standardised look and feel. Brama is located in the beautiful Bromley Old Town Hall, a landmark Grade II listed building that has been lovingly restored to let the space’s original character shine through. Our 23 bedrooms have all been thoughtfully decorated with a contemporary colour palette and materials that create an inviting and calming atmosphere whilst highlighting the Art Deco features of the building.

Amenities in a chain hotel usually prioritise utility and function, whereas boutique hotels can create a more personalised, luxurious feel by offering thoughtful little touches that elevate your stay into something special. At Brama, we have carefully curated the amenities in each room to make your stay as comfortable as possible, sourcing the highest quality products from local suppliers with strong environmental credentials. Our handcrafted Hypnos beds are dressed with the softest organic cotton sheets from the Fine Cotton Company to ensure you have the best possible sleep. You will find rainfall showers in our bathrooms, big fluffy towels, and delicious smelling Brama x Bramley toiletries made in the British countryside using the finest natural ingredients. There is no need to have a frustrating experience with a standard underpowered hotel hairdryer, as our hairdryers are salon-quality GHD. We know how important it is to be able to make a great hot drink too, so you won’t find disappointing instant coffee in the rooms. Instead, we provide great coffee machines and real coffee pods from Kiss The Hippo, London’s first carbon negative coffee roasters. Our tea is equally delicious, blended in the UK by JP’s Originals Tea.

If you are booking Brama for a business trip, our neighbours at Clockwise can help to make your stay as productive as possible. Located in the same building as Brama, Clockwise is a flexible coworking space designed to support productivity, creativity and collaboration. Its beautifully designed workspaces, breakout areas, and meeting rooms come fully equipped with everything needed to keep your projects on track and connect with colleagues and clients. Brama guests can enjoy 20% off day passes or meeting room bookings during their stay. And of course if inspiration strikes whilst relaxing in your room, you’ll find a well-designed desk and chair to work from too.

You will find Brama in the buzzing South London borough of Bromley. With trains from Bromley South station getting you into central London in as little as 16 minutes, the area is well connected to the heart of the city whilst offering its own unique vibe and local attractions that guests in central London’s chain hotels might miss out on. There are many great independent bars and restaurants on the hotel doorstep, as well as two theatres with exciting programmes of plays, musical productions, dance, comedy and much more. There are also several unique local heritage sites just a short bus or train ride from Brama, including Crofton Roman Villa, the only Roman villa in Greater London open to the public, and Chiselhurst Caves, carved out over hundreds of years to provide materials to build many sites in London and repurposed over time as a mushroom farm, an air raid shelter and even a concert venue. Bromley has a number of beautiful parks and green spaces for visitors to enjoy, as well as The Glades shopping centre for people looking to indulge in some retail therapy. Be sure to check out our Local Area pages for more ideas on things to do around the hotel.

Ready to step away from chain hotels and try a unique boutique experience? Learn more and book a room at Brama here, we look forward to welcoming you soon.