1. An inconspicuous facade
As its name suggests, 11 Cadogan Gardens feels less like a hotel and more like a (very moneyed) aristocrat’s home. Set across four Victorian red-and-white-brick townhouses in Chelsea, it’s highly discreet, with just a small plaque and a Union Jack flag advertising its street presence. This residential vibe continues inside: dark wood panelling, creaking staircases and old wall portraits all combine to make guests feel like they’re in a stately mansion.
2. Baroque charm in abundance
The 56 rooms and suites are all individually decorated, from the dramatic, scarlet-drenched Red Room to the cream-and-gold splendour of the Sloane Suite. At a hugely impressive 120m2, the latter is truly an example of expansive luxury. Just about everything in the suite is properly vintage, from the canopied four-poster bed to the gilt-edged mirrors and the bookshelves lined with antique tomes.
3. A showcase of British produce
New all-day restaurant Hans Bar and Grill celebrates the best of the British Isles, with dishes such as seared Orkney scallops and grass-fed English sirloin. There’s also an entire menu devoted to hot chocolate – a homage to the restaurant’s namesake Sir Hans Sloane, who is said to have brought cocoa to the UK. For a more sophisticated nightcap, head to The Chelsea Bar, where you can sink into a cognac leather armchair with a cocktail in hand.
4. Situated in a buzzing neighbourhood
Unbeknownst to many, Sloane Square is quite the cultural haven: you’ll find a series of artisanal producers, from bakeries to cheesemongers, on Pavilion Road, and an excellent fine food market at Duke of York Square on Saturdays. Then there’s the Saatchi Gallery for contemporary art, and King’s Road for retail therapy; standout shops along the latter include World’s End for rare Vivienne Westwood one-offs and John Sandoe Books for lovingly curated reads. If you’re looking to venture further, Sloane Square station is mere minutes away.
Singapore Airlines flies direct to London four times daily. To book a flight, visit singaporeair.com
SEE ALSO: Review: Heckfield Place, London
