Following the mangosteen daiquiri, which was misted tableside with lime oil, the cheesy garlic naan, the broccoli salad adorned with pistachios and mint, and the pink peppered After enjoying the pineapple soda, the tandoori half-chicken with its zesty green chutney, and the rich, buttery black dal served from a crock, the following was presented I didn't need dessert at the celadon-green Permit Room in Notting Hill.
Prepare for the ultimate brownie experience. It arrived swathed in malai, a rich, dairy-based topping akin to clotted cream, alongside crushed jaggery. My spoon slid through, exposing an interior so damp and dark, it resembled fertile ground for growing tomatoes.
The Permit Room, a London-based Dishoom establishment, served a meal so magnificent that even the dessert couldn't quite match its overall deliciousness. The best part was that my transition to post-meal lounging in a waffle-knit robe was just a green staircase away My accommodation, a singular-room hotel entirely for my own use.
This two-bed, two-bath apartment, adorned with vibrant textiles and Art Deco fixtures, features arched windows offering views of the surrounding area. Bustling Portobello Road Market, a vibrant spot where both visitors and residents weave through stalls laden with antique silver teapots, rare first editions, and pre-loved Burberry pieces Outerwear. Inside the Lodgings, numerous treasures awaited discovery, such as an impressive vinyl collection and a veritable exhibition of contemporary South Asian art. Selected by L.A. Gallerist Rajiv Menon.
Shamil and Kavi Thakrar, cousins and the founders of Dishoom, had been contemplating this hotel idea for some time. We've consistently cherished our times in Bombay with companions or relatives, where someone would press food into our hands, creating a profound feeling of being well-cared for. Kavi asks, "We pondered, what if we could capture that sense of warmth and welcome, and introduce it here?"
The cousins have welcomed millions of diners to their four Permit Rooms and 11 Dishoom eateries. In July, they will add their new Lodgings venue, with prices starting at £700. Overnight guests are a new experience for them.
They've discovered a fresh approach in the competitive luxury hotel market: opulent retreats offering the discretion of private villa bookings alongside hotel services. The pinnacle of luxury, as it happens, is the exclusive experience of being the sole occupant of a full-service property.
These accommodations aren't listed on Expedia. Reservations are usually made via email or a traditional phone call. The 1RoomHotel in Detroit, situated in a historic Corktown building, offers an infrared sauna, Soho Home furnishings, and a spacious 1,000-square-foot area. Terrace—hotelier Doug Schwartz primarily receives clients through recommendations. "We handle just one booking weekly, accommodating 50 guests annually, he states. We really aim to serve that individual. This might involve having their preferred cocktail ready in the minibar, or arranging a tour of Motor City by the A vintage 1972 Ford Bronco, fully restored, serving as a mobile home. "In a hotel with a hundred rooms, he remarked, "all those details tend to get obscured."
While not all these properties are situated above eateries, the majority cater to travelers seeking culinary experiences, aiming to prolong their enjoyment from the restaurant to Sleeping chamber. From Chicago's minimalist Oriole Loft to Tasmania's Ogee Guesthouse, located beside the ever-popular wine bar of Having the same name, securing a difficult-to-obtain reservation is a compelling perk on its own.
Throughout the day, a queue of eager patrons stretches from The Permit Room's entrance and spills out onto the street. Being the sole overnight guest, a table was always ready for me when I wanted to dine, or I could opt for room service delivered to my living room. Light blue corded phone. Before sleeping, I noted my breakfast selection on the doorknob menu hanger; upon waking, I found aromatic masala chai and an immunity-enhancing ginger shot awaiting me, French toast made with brioche, and yogurt dotted with what seemed like a hundred dollars' worth of vanilla bean. Inside the minibar fridge, a supply of Dishoom's excellent mango lassi was readily available.
For those unable to secure a table at Paris's celebrated La Tour d'Argent, its Augusta Apartment offers an alternative, priced at €1,800 per night. In 2023, André Terrail transformed the old private dining room of his family's 114-year-old Left Bank establishment. Why let the enchantment of a La Tour tasting fade after settling the tab, when it could carry on with a final drink while admiring a lit-up Notre Dame and Dream in a custom-made bed from Maison Tréca? Terrail's grandfather also presided over the renowned Hotel George V (currently the Four Seasons) in the early 1900s, making it seem natural that we would He stated, wanting to "extend back into a hotel-like experience."
Terrail's grandmother, Augusta Burdel, served as the inspiration for the design. Fifty years prior, a patroness of the arts and socialite resided in this apartment, and it's likely she would have admired the custom-built Features include a Scandinavian sauna, a peacock-blue kitchen, ivory wainscoting, and herringbone wood floors. Visitors enjoy complete access and may engage a bartender for in-house martini service or relax on the eatery's rooftop after the establishment Will close for the evening.
The apartment feels akin to visiting Disneyland, mixed with the narratives of Terrail and La Tour d'Argent, according to Terrail. We're having a fantastic time with it.
Five unique boutiques
For those who appreciate the splendor of a grand hotel but desire tranquility and a more individual experience, these exquisite one-room accommodations are an ideal choice.
The Lodgings at The Permit Room, London
Portobello Road now enjoys some authentic Bombay warmth, thanks to the cousins who founded the immensely successful Dishoom Indian restaurant group.
La Tour D'Argent's Augusta Apartment, Paris
The restaurant's current, third-generation owner, André Terrail, has updated his grandmother's former apartment, infusing it with vibrant style.
The 1RoomHotel, Detroit
The fifty yearly visitors fortunate enough to secure a reservation at this establishment can indulge in an infrared sauna, a vast terrace, and the chance to cruise in a 1972 Ford. Mustang.
The Loft at Oriole, Chicago
Guests booking accommodation above the two-Michelin-star restaurant will receive a reservation for Oriole's Kitchen Table, offering a "front-row dining experience" with chef Noah. Sandoval.
Ogee Guesthouse, Tasmania
The two-bedroom apartment belonging to Matt and Monique Breen, located just a stone's throw from their acclaimed eatery, Ogee, features a dedicated listening room stocked with records from their personal collection Assembly.
This article appears in the October/November 2025 issue of Fortune with the headline "Be our (only) guest."