Hearts
for
Hospitality
Kit and Tim Kemp , the husband-andwife team behind Firmdale Hotels , are a match made in boutique hotel heaven .
by NaTHaN GrEENHaLGH , aSSOciaTE EdiTOr
Like “ artisan ” in the food industry , “ boutique ” is thrown around in the big brands ’ marketing so much it has become difficult to define what a boutique hotel really is . The husband-and-wife team of Kit and Tim Kemp behind Firmdale Hotels , London , say a boutique hotel does not provide a mass-produced experience . Instead , it should have its own distinct personality , and the personalities of Firmdale ’ s portfolio are sought-after enough that its eight full-service hotels in London and New York City have occupancy rates above 90 %. This has garnered the attention of the big brands , with Bill Marriott Jr . and other Marriott International executives reportedly booking rooms for the opening night of the 86-room Crosby Street Hotel in New York in 2010 .
Since then , Firmdale has bought a long-term leasehold for its next development project , a second hotel in New York on West 56th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues . In May 2014 , Firmdale is set to open the £ 88 million ( US $ 144 million ), 90-room Ham Yard Hotel in London , part of a mixed-use property with Firmdale-designed interiors that will include 24 residential apartments , a 176-seat theatre , an imported 1950s Texan four-lane bowling alley , bar , lounge , dance floor and an organic roof garden .
HOTELS recently spoke with the Kemps about their
44 HOTELS January / February 2014 www . hotelsmag . com