When was the last time someone shook your hand when you arrived at a hotel? - Well, it happened to me when I checked in at "La Gaffe" earlier this week.
It may sound strange to check in to a hotel when you actually live in London. Yet, circumstances arose that made me check in to a hotel. - No, I didn't get kicked out by my partner, but it has to do with some sort of leaving. In fact, I was moving away from London and once the movers had packed up all my belongings, I didn't feel like sleeping in the empty flat...on a blow-up mattress and in a sleeping bag. That would've made me even more sad.
So, I decided to temporarily move to a B&B. And having heard/read good things on Yelp about "La Gaffe" in nearby Hampstead, the decision was quickly made. Plus, I didn't want to move into some corporate hotel, like a Premier Inn or a smart boutique hotel in Central London. I wanted to stay local.
And that's exactly what I got: La Gaffe is the quintessential local institution. In fact, on my last morning, when I was waiting for my taxi to the airport, I got to chat with someone who I presumed was another guest. Yet, throughout our conversation it transpired that he just lives up the road in the next neighborhood. Yet he's coming to La Gaffe for a coffee and chat on a regular basis...and that for a few decades.
He told me the story about the Greek/Italian couple who opened a French restaurant in the early 1960s. (The name La Gaffe means something like mismatch in French and hints at the audacity for a Greek woman and an Italian man to open a French restaurant.) Soon they purchased the shop/building next door and opened the B&B. According to my local source, the restaurant attracted many domestic as well as international celebrities, all of which loved the personal atmosphere that I experienced with that handshake on my first day as well. (The late Charly Chaplin, apparently, was a guest here.)
Furthermore, I learned that this place is one of the oldest privately-run businesses in Hampstead. In fact, I learned many more local tales and curiosities, which - as a somewhat local - I found fascinating, but which would be too boring to write down here.
Back to my review of the hotel: if you like it posh, slick and luxurious, this is NOT the place for you. However, if you're happy with a simple room, basic amenities and if you can live without a super-fast wifi connection, then this IS your place. In return, you feel at home, you feel well-taken care of, you will not feel like a money-bringing person, but as someone whose presence makes a difference and maybe even leaves a lasting impression? It's exactly what I needed from this place in my home-less situation at that time. (Granted, there are other times, when I treasure the anonymity of a large hotel!)
During my three-nights stay, I visited the restaurant twice: once for the continental breakfast, which is included in the rate, and once for dinner. The breakfasts is simple, yet sufficient. The dinner was lovely; I had the lasagne-of-the-day with a side if French beans. For dessert I ordered the Tiramisu...which I have to say was just ok. (I think I make a much better Tiramisu - send me a message if you want the recipe ;-)
On that very last morning, when I was learning about all these local anecdotes, I also had a long chat with the man who shook my hand on the first day. His name is Lorenzo and as it turns out, he's the son of the Greek/Italian couple who opened La Gaffe back in 1962. I was very pleased to hear this, as I then knew that this place will still be there when I come back for a visit to London. And the odds are high, that I'll be checking in here again... read more