One of the most charming things about London is its many different identities, with each borough offering up its own dose of personality and style and a unique cultural and social scene you simply won’t find elsewhere. For luxury lovers, the obvious choice for a lavish break away in the capital is the Borough of Chelsea and Kensington, with the leafy London suburb of Chelsea exuding style and sophistication at every turn.
Attracting an affluent crowd who frequent its many high-end restaurants and cafes and indulge in a regular spot of shopping on the historic King’s Road, where you’ll find a whole host of designer boutiques and quaint antique shops, it has plenty to offer every type of traveller – and there’s a new opening on Sloane Street that has been making a name for itself of late.
Having officially opened its doors in September, the opulent new Sloane Place is a haven in the heart of this neighbourhood, and benefits from being in one of the most sought-after postcodes of the capital.
Hotel
Located just a two-minute walk from Sloane Square Station, Sloane Place is a luxurious hideaway nestled in a quiet location away from the hustle and bustle of Central London, and is perfectly positioned for those eager to explore some of the city’s cultural offerings on foot.
Part of the venerable 99-year-old Sloane Club, this 27-room accommodation, set in a five-storey Victorian red-brick building that is typical of the area, is stylish, contemporary and full of character – and offers guests a cosy and relaxing place to stay during any flying or extended visit to the city.
The Sloane Club, founded in 1922 by Princess Helena – daughter of Queen Victoria – certainly adds to the intrigue of the property. Having originally served as the Service Women’s Club, exclusively for women and the forces, today this exclusive private members’ club is a place where guests can work, entertain, or simply relax and unwind, and is accessible to all guests.
Room
Timeless and elegant, the suites at Sloane Place are light, bright and spacious, with rich, tactile, jewel-toned fabrics adding a luxurious touch. Comprising a large, built-in wardrobe, not one, but two 40-inch smart TVs and a lavish bathroom complete with rain shower, bathtub and two sinks, they make for the perfect space in which to relax and unwind, and for a moment, you can almost forget that you’re right in the heart of a busy city.
Pristine and very plush throughout, my own suite – on level five, the top floor of the hotel – was beautifully and tastefully decorated and was a welcoming sight to come back to after a tiring day out and about in the capital.
The Hypnos bed was incredibly comfortable, guaranteeing a good night’s sleep – and with excellent, reliable Wi-Fi and a Nespresso machine on hand for that much-needed morning caffeine hit, I was all set up for a comfortable stay.
That said, after a quick search, I was surprised to find that there was no mini-bar. I had, however, been thoughtfully left a tray of Sipsmith gin and some bottles of Fever tree tonic, which went down just as well, although I would have preferred to have a little more choice of drinks. The shower was also a little temperamental, and I struggled to get the water to stay consistently hot – but all in all, a lovely suite that was a pleasure to stay in.
In all, there are five room categories ranging from cosy to suite, with prices starting from £200, with all promising a luxurious stay in the heart of Chelsea.
Food and drink
The Sloane Place Restaurant, on the ground floor, offers a relaxed casual dining experience, serving up mouth-watering and contemporary British-Javanese fare from breakfast until late.
A buzzy café/bar by day which welcomes in locals for breakfast and light lunches later in the afternoon, the space enjoys plenty of natural light, with teal furnishings parquet flooring and a selection of bistro tables creating a fun and sociable feel that has already seen it become a popular brunch spot.
At night, the lights dim and the restaurant takes on a more refined and sophisticated vibe – classy yet unpretentious, and the perfect place to hunker down for a tasty evening meal. Menus are created by executive chef Bernhard Mayer (formerly of The Savoy and Four Seasons, Park Lane) and head chef Maryono Maryono, who combine their European and South-East Asian heritage in a selection of mouth-watering and unique options that are difficult to choose between because they all sound so good!
To start, I opted for the Devon crab with compressed cucumber, chilli-mayo salsa, and crispy tortilla, which made for a delicious flavour combination and a light dish with which to precede the main event. For mains, I went all in and chose the show-stopping native lobster and tiger prawn burger with mango-chilli relish, avocado, brioche bun – the Sloane Place signature dish, and one that certainly lived up to expectations.
With just enough room left for dessert, the decadent warm, flourless chocolate brownie went down a treat. Served with coffee ice cream and caramelised peanuts, it was a sumptuous sweet treat that had a soft, melty texture – the perfect finisher for a tasty meal, and all served with a smile and an attentive attitude by the Sloane Place Restaurant team.
The tables were perhaps a little too close together for my liking, but this is just personal preference.
I’d heard some great things about art-deco basement bar The Hideaway, so I was a little disappointed to find that it was closed during my stay. Hosting bi-weekly live music evenings offering an intimate, fun space with great drinks, snacks, and atmosphere, I had been eager to experience it for myself – but never mind, there’s always next time.
To do
Chelsea is one of London’s most affluent and fashionable neighbourhoods, which means the nearest high-end eateries and luxury shopping boutiques are never more than a stone’s throw away. On Sloane Street itself, you’ll find the likes of Cartier, Tiffany & Co, Prada and Hermes, to name but a few – so don’t forget your credit card.
There’s plenty to see and do in the vicinity, with attractions including the Saatchi Gallery and Royal Court just a few minutes away on foot.
Chelsea is home to some of London’s best restaurants, including Gordon Ramsay’s eponymous three-Michelin-starred restaurant, on Royal Hospital Road, and Scott Hallsworth’s growing empire of high-end oriental eateries Korobuta, and the Gladwin Brothers’ Rabbit are all well worth a reservation.
If you’re a football fan, then be sure to make your way over to Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC – where not only will you have the chance to catch a home game live, but you can also enjoy a decadent dining experience at the Marco Grill.
In a nutshell
A stylish and contemporary hideaway located in one of London’s most affluent postcodes, the Sloane Place is the perfect base for luxury seekers looking for great food, lavish lodgings and plenty to see and do nearby.
Factbox
Rooms can be booked from £200 per night on a bed and breakfast basis.
Address: 62, 64 Lower Sloane St, London SW1W 8BP
Tel: +44 020 3928 0700
Email: enquiries@sloaneplace.com
Website: sloaneplace.com
