Holmes still a hit for Park Plaza Hotels
Following the hit film and BBC series, Sherlock Holmes has enjoyed an unrivalled resurgence in recent months and the four-star boutique hotel is at the forefront of the boom.
Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes' concierge has recently reported a significant rise in interest in the great detective's whereabouts; his top request for directions to 221b Baker Street, now the Sherlock Holmes Museum.
Sales of memorabilia in the hotel are also on the up and it is the detective's distinctive pipe that is proving the most popular souvenir amongst guests.
As well as the hotel seeing a surge in interest, the Sherlock Society has also benefitted from the film and television series. Membership numbers surged around the time of Guy Ritchie's film and again during the BBC series, whilst also throughout these times, visitors to their website more than doubled.
Meanwhile, booksellers are also profiting from this peak in interest with sales of the Wordsworth Classics' "The Hound of the Baskervilles" up a truly impressive 431% and the Penguin edition of "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes" up a very healthy 83%.
"It's a great time to be associated with Sherlock Holmes, as he's enjoyed a great comeback recently - it's been fantastic for businesses in this area," says Pascale Fioretti, General Manager of Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes
"With Sherlock Holmes 2 on its way, as well as a new BBC series, we're expecting even more visitors to the area, as a new generation is inspired by the character."
Park Plaza Sherlock Holmes London (parkplazasherlockholmes.com) is also located near the shopping meccas of Marylebone High Street and Oxford Street. The hotel's award winning restaurant Sherlock's Grill serves a delicious modern European menu.
While staying at the hotel, fans are perfectly situated to pay a visit to 221b Baker Street, now home to the Sherlock Holmes Museum and take in nearby Madame Tussauds, complete with a statue of Robert Downey Jr as the great detective.
* 12 August 2010, The Bookseller