Nina Boxer at Sherlock Holmes Hotel on
Baker Street. | Quite Elementary, Really:
Sherlock Holmes Is Cool By Nina and Tim Boxer  HERLOCK HOLMES on Baker Street is a gem of a hotel in Central London, close to everywhere you’d want to go. First thing we wanted to do is explore the home base for our week’s sojourn in London.
We were impressed by the youthfulness of the staff and the vibrancy of the ambiance. The hotel has a unique personality that seems to draw some of the city’s smart people for after-work socializing in the Bar and dinner in the Grill. Step in off the busy street and you land in a comfort zone nurtured by the pleasant bellman at his station on the left and the welcoming bartender at the right. Yes, you can leave your bag with the bellman, and make new friends at the Bar. After you freshen up with a cocktail, you can pick up a complimentary apple and newspaper and check in at registration in the rear. Park Plaza Hotels Europe purchased Sherlock Holmes from the Hilton chain. Following extensive renovations and restyling, it was reopened last year as a luxury boutique hotel with a trendy interior design. Under the direction of Yossi Wircer, the dynamic Park Plaza Hotels Europe operates 16 four-star hotels and 4 outstanding Artotels in Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Hungary, Romania, South Africa, Israel and the UK. In London they also own the Victoria Park Plaza and the Bernard Shaw Park Plaza. They just opened a Park Plaza in Nottingham. “We’re building a brand,” said Patrik Wennerland, vice president of sales and marketing. “It’s like building an airplane in mid-flight.” Having spent a week at the Sherlock Holmes, we can tell you the airplane is in full flight. It was a wonderful experience, made more pleasant by a courteous staff and extremely attentive wait staff in the Grill. The hotel is actually two houses over five floors, consisting of 119 air-conditioned rooms that combine tradition with modern comforts, with two phone lines, satellite television, high speed Internet access, mini-bar, hair dryer, laptop safes and UK, EU and US power sockets. 
Patrick Wennerland of Park Plaza
Hotels Europe and Estelle Deerenberg
of Sherlock Holmes Hotel. | Regular readings are offered by local writers in the intimate and chic Executive Lounge. This room, a great place to enjoy afternoon tea, was also used for a wedding reception. In addition, there are seven conference rooms for business meetings, plus a health club. You won’t want to miss exploring Sherlock Holmes lore up the street. At 221b Baker Street, probably the world’s most famous address (next to 10 Downing), you’ll find the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Holmes lived in a first-floor apartment. He shared the study with Watson whose bedroom was on the second floor. The souvenir shop on the ground floor is stocked with ceramics, figures, busts, prints, books, playing cards, T-shirts and anything else that can be imprinted with a Sherlock Holmes image or logo. That’s business. For more information visit www.sherlockholmeshotel.com. For reservations go to www.shhres@parkplazahotels.com. | 
