Beaverbrook Town House Near+Far rating: 9/10
Why book Beaverbrook Town House
Beaverbrook Hotel, the former home of press baron Lord Beaverbrook, has been drawing guests from across the home counties to the Surrey Hills for over a decade, mostly thanks to its stately spa and chic Japanese restaurant. The only problem? Being a bit of a schlep from London. Things changed in 2021 when, to the delight of country-loving Londoners, Beaverbrook Town House opened its doors in London’s Chelsea, offering a taster into life in the original country hotel. The location is sublime – on the south end of Sloane Street within walking distance from Sloane Square and Knightsbridge and overlooking Cadogan Place. Moreover, the magnificent Twenties-style rooms were designed by Nicole Harding, the mastermind behind the original hotel. Add in a sun-dapped garden, restaurant and sleek cocktail bar, and you’ve got one of the best boutique hotels in London.
The location: 9/10
Beaverbrook Town House is almost discreet on London’s manicured Sloane Street – the thoroughfare that links Knightsbridge to Chelsea. The property spans two understated townhouses with only the brilliant blue awnings and top-hatted doormen for identification. Guests can use the adjacent Cadogan Place Gardens – a lush private garden for residents with lawns and tennis courts – and are near plenty of top attractions such as Harvey Nichols, Harrods, and Duke of York Square – home of the Saatchi Gallery. Three tube stations – Knightsbridge, South Kensington and Sloane Square – are also a short walk, with Victoria station 10 minutes by taxi.
Rooms and suites: 9/10
The hotel’s 14 rooms are spread across three floors giving the illusion of being a guest in a grand personal home. In true Beaverbrook flair, each is named after a celebrated London theatre, from the velvet-toned ‘Palladium’ to the pastel-pink ‘Old Vic’ filled with programmes and posters from past productions. Beaverbrook lovers will appreciate Harding’s maximalist aesthetic, like velvet sofas, Ikat lampshades, grand oak canopied beds, and patterned bedspreads. Impeccable touches include a drinks trolley with bottled cocktails and glossy magazines and a minibar offering complimentary quintessentially British snacks and drinks like organic juices, teas and Tyrell’s crisps. Bathrooms are clad in shiny blue and green tiles and stocked with products from British countryside brand Bamford and feature rainfall showers and soaking bathtubs. Book a suite on the first floor to gaze out of your arched windows onto the bustle of Sloane Street and leafy Cadogan Place Gardens. Rooms are unbelievably cosy and inviting, creating the feeling of staying in someone’s private residence rather than a central London hotel.
Food and drink: 8/10
Turn left from the grand entrance hall, and you’re whisked into one of central London’s most beautiful dining and dining spaces. The journey is in Sir Frank’s Bar, named after Beaverbrook’s creative director Sir Frank Lowe, offering to seating on the Art Deco bar or mustard yellow velvet furniture. Glossy lacquered walls and 9th-century Japanese woodblock print art creates an elegant and old-world feeling with classic yet elevated cocktails to match. Despite its sense of exclusivity and privacy, the bar picks up in the evenings and is a favourite hangout for pre-Royal Court theatre tipples. The adjacent Fuji Grill furthers the Japanese theme and is an iteration of Beaverbrook Hotel’s original Japanese Grill with indulgent omakase dinners. The dining room’s versatility, from a sultry evening spot to a bright and airy breakfast room, is truly remarkable – and breakfast is a homely affair with hearty full English, homemade granola and freshly squeezed juices.
Spa and facilities: 7/10
This is a city centre bolthole, so unlike the main property, there’s no spa or fitness suite. A major perk of staying in this hotel, particularly in the warmer months, is having access to the Cagodan Place Gardens – usually a preserve of the square’s monied residents. The beautiful city-centre oasis has manicured lawns, tennis courts and trellises laced with wisteria and evokes the feeling of the British countryside retreat, all in the heart of London.
The vibe: 8/10
Unassuming, yet overwhelmingly beautiful and detailed. Discreet and exclusive, yet open and welcoming. The hotel is a favourite with the well-heeled Chelsea set and those celebrating special occasions or needing a tasteful and luxurious yet homely and low-key place to stay in London. Without facilities like a spa and gym, so much attention has been placed on the design and dining outlets, making this one of the most impeccable hotel experiences in the UK capital.
115-116 Sloane St, London SW1X 9PJ, United Kingdom; doubles from AED1,835 per night; book now
