Looking for somewhere that feels both exclusive and private during your next stay in London? Then look no further than Cheval Phoenix House, which offers spacious apartments with all of the services you’d expect at home, complemented by a 24-hour front office team who are on hand to assist with restaurant reservations, theatre bookings, transport and more.
Set in a privileged location in the affluent borough of Chelsea, it enjoys one of the city’s most sought-after postcodes and is tucked away on a quiet side street. Cheval Phoenix House, part of the coveted Cheval Collection, is home to 34 open-plan one and two-bedroom apartments that can be booked for any length of stay, so whether you’re making a flying visit or planning on staying put for a little longer, it has got you covered.
Following an 18-month complete refurbishment, Cheval Phoenix House re-opened its doors this summer to begin welcoming guests again, with apartments now feeling more spacious and airy thanks to their new contemporary décor and a minimalistic design.
I recently had the chance to check one of them out for myself when I arrived for a weekend stay, and here’s what I discovered.
Location
Just a three-minute walk from Sloane Square underground station, the property couldn’t be more convenient for getting around the city, yet offers peaceful accommodation away from the throng. Set on a tree lined street away from the hustle and bustle of central London, it offers the perfect balance, feeling discreet and fairly private despite its proximity to major transport links and the many shops and restaurants in the area.
If you’re in the mood for a shopping spree, then a ten minute walk north will take you to Knightsbridge and the world famous department stores of Harrods and Harvey Nicholls, where you’ll find a plethora of designer brands just waiting to be splurged upon.
A stay at this opulent boutique residence really does put the city at your fingertips, whether you’re visiting for business or for pleasure.
The apartment
As part of the full-scale 18-month-long refurbishment, each of the property’s 34 apartments have been completely reconfigured and have had new life breathed into the interior design to bring them bang up to date.
The new design aimed to improve the flow of each apartment and enhance the sense of spaciousness they offer – something that is a major selling point for guests looking for more room than a hotel stay would afford them.
There have also been significant upgrades to the fixtures and fittings, taking both style and sustainability into consideration, and each apartment offers a fully equipped modern kitchen, increased wardrobe space and updated water, electricity, and heating systems (including intelligent lighting), all of which are in alignment with the brand’s upgraded sustainability standards.
Inspired by its iconic location in the elegant Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, each apartment exudes a sense of grandeur, but with a modern twist. The refurbishment is in line with a wider rejuvenation project taking place on Sloane Street, where Cadogan and Kensington and Chelsea Council are funding a multi-million-pound public realm transformation programme with the aim of making it the number one destination in the world for luxury shopping. Improvements include enhanced pedestrian experience, increased greenery, improved traffic flows and upgraded broadband, and are due for completion in December 2024.
Overall, apartments now feel very plush. Bright, airy and exuding a polished contemporary feel, everything smells brand new – because it is. Despite the minimalistic design, touches of colour and texture in the form of a burnt orange sofa – a particular highlight – and other accents, bring a sense of warmth and liveliness in. The modern abstract art adorning the walls, although not to my personal taste, did help to add an extra dimension to the apartment.
When Cheval say that the kitchen is fully equipped, they’re not exaggerating; think a large fridge-freezer, top of the range electric cooker, good-sized dishwasher and all the other usual suspects like plates, cutlery, cups and glasses, as well as a washing machine and tumble dryer.
Moving into the separate lounge/dining area, where the afore-mentioned sofa is located, there was a wide screen TV and a dining table with chairs for enjoying meals at leisure and in your own space.
The large double bedroom was a very good size and was very well presented as you would expect, with a neutral colour palette comprising classic hues including grey, white and mocha. There was a large, comfortable double bed and another large screen TV mounted opposite it on opulent dark wood panelling for a little late night or early morning viewing, as well as a small dressing table and mirror and plenty of wardrobe space. It was well lit, with spotlights and in all, offered everything you need for any length of stay.
The marble bathroom felt highly luxurious and featured a spacious walk-in shower that I’d even go as far as saying was the best shower I’ve ever experienced. I didn’t want to get out of it, it was that good. Modern monochrome touches like the bold black and white chevron flooring added a modern twist to the classic luxury of the space.
Overall, the apartment was really thoughtfully designed. Having plug sockets close to the mirrors, for example, might seem like minor details, but it’s often overlooked, and can make all the difference when it comes to convenience. Even five star hotels sometimes fail on this, but Cheval Phoenix House had the set-up spot on. The clever use of technology throughout was also a major plus point, with the touch screen heating control easy to operate – something I found particularly satisfying.
The apartments offer little luxuries and comforts to make you feel at home – and regular housekeeping is offered for apartment guests to ensure that you’re left wanting for nothing.
Well behaved pets are very welcome, which means there’s no need to leave your beloved cat or dog behind during longer stays, and downstairs, there’s a small gym, which is perfect for when you want to keep fit and stay mentally switched on.
Plus, with Cheval’s 24 hour front office team available, anything you need is easily accessible, whatever the time of the day or night.
Sloane Square
Nearby Sloane Square is a haven away from the throng of Central London, exuding a more local, village-like feel and offering a slower pace of life. Along its quiet streets and hidden backstreets, you’ll find a seemingly endless array of sophisticated high-end boutiques by designers such as Fendi and Balenciaga, and various fine dining eateries – not least of all Kahani, a Michelin-starred restaurant that just so happens to be right next door to Cheval Phoenix House. Booking a table here is a must if you have the time to spare – and if you haven’t, you should make some, because here, head chef Peter Joseph is revolutionising Indian cuisine, combining fresh, seasonal British ingredients with aromatic spices and replacing heavy sauces with light dishes centred around grilled meats, fish and vegetables from the robata grill and tandoor. Simply delicious!
To do
As we’ve touched upon, there’s no shortage of things to do in the surrounding areas of Cheval Phoenix House, and it’s conveniently located within walking distance of a number of local attractions, including the boutiques, shops and restaurants on Sloane Street and the King’s Road, as well as being in prime position for shopping up a storm.
If you’re in the mood for a dose of culture, then head to the Saatchi Gallery, which will take you just five minutes on foot to reach for a showcase of contemporary art featuring a wide variety of sculptures, installations, paintings and audio-visual displays by notable artists from across the globe. The Victoria Albert Museum, Natural History Museum and Science Museum are all under a 30 minute walk away – although of course, you can easily head to Sloane Square Underground Station and hop on a tube if you’re keen to get there a little faster.
The Cheval brand
These large, secure, design-led furnished apartments belong to one of several developments within the Cheval Collection, where five-star service and a personal touch come as standard. There are eight Cheval Residences and one Maison in London, as well as three additional Cheval Residences in Edinburgh and a Cheval Maison in Dubai. In total, Cheval Collection operates over 803 apartments in the three cities, each exemplifying the same high standards the brand has become known for.
Factbox
Opening nightly rates from £390 for a studio apartment, from £490 for a one-bedroom apartment, and from £790 for a two-bedroom apartment.
Address: 1 Wilbraham Pl, Sloane St, London SW1X 9AE
Phone: 020 7259 8222
Website: chevalcollection.com/cheval-phoenix-house/
