The Chelsea Townhouse - London
Located in the heart of the Chelsea neighborhood in London, The Chelsea Townhouse is a small luxury boutique hotel with London charm.
THE PROPERTY
The property is small, with just 36 rooms, and the hotel itself offers few amenities, as it caters to a more residential feel. There is a small reception area, a quaint dining area, and a small lounge/dining area. When you arrive, you are greeted by doormen ready to help with your bags. Our room wasn't ready upon arrival, so we hung out in the dining area, where we got some food and peppermint tea. It was actually a nice place to wait, with a view of the garden, and it had cozy vibes thanks to the fireplace. The nice part about the Chelsea Townhouse is that you have access to their sister property, 11 Cadogan Gardens, which is just across the street. You can dine at their restaurant and use all their amenities, which really enhance the experience.
THE ROOM
We stayed in a Garden Suite, which has direct access to the private gardens. I know in the States, when we think of a garden, we think lots of flowers and color, but in Europe, gardens are essentially green outdoor spaces. We didn’t get to use the garden during our stay because it was winter, but I can imagine being here in Spring/Summer and Early Fall. A garden room would be ideal. It’s like having your own backyard in the hotel. I know my girls would LOVE running around and discovering things. So I would highly recommend the garden suite if you visit here with children. We had a king-size bed, a living room, a dining table, and a working desk in the same room. There was also a beautiful fireplace in the room. The couch in the living room area pulled out to a bed where the girls slept comfortably. It was a nice touch that they offered washcloths and baby products for the kids. Our room had a long hallway at the entrance with a coat closet that also had drawers and a safe. The bathroom to the right featured a large walk-in shower. I also appreciated the large closet in the bedroom. The room had charm, but the selling factor was definitely having the garden at your doorstep.
THE FOOD
We were pleasantly surprised by the food at dinner; it was delicious. We dined at Han’s Bar & Grill at the sister property, 11 Cadogan Gardens. The restaurant had an extensive menu with many options for all dietary preferences, which I appreciated. The cauliflower and mushroom dish was so delicious. And the sticky toffee pudding for dessert did not disappoint. The restaurant offers à la carte or a prefixed menu, but I always choose à la carte because I love having options and tasting a bit of everything I can. They also had a kids' menu, and the girls enjoyed their fish and chips. The chips were actually cooked to perfection. I also loved that they offered coloring for the girls. Anything to keep them occupied! I also had the Garden drink, which I didn’t realize was alcohol free, but it was so refreshing. The restaurant's ambiance is dark and moody, but it doesn't have pretentious vibes. It honestly felt more casual, which was a bit comforting.
There is also in-room dining, which we used to order breakfast for the kids each morning.
AFTERNOON TEA
Afternoon tea is also at 11 Cadogan Gardens in the parlour. If you know us, you know our love for afternoon tea runs very deep. They have a children's afternoon tea with simpler offerings, such as donuts, macarons, and brownies. The girls obviously loved it. And for the adults, they provided more interesting dessert options. My favorite part of afternoon tea is trying the different desserts the chef creates. I love witnessing their creativity and trying new flavors. The scones are always our favorite, and the scones here were impeccable. Give me 100 of ‘em! I loved the room's ambiance as well. If your kids love afternoon tea as mine do, I recommend a visit here.
11 CADOGAN GARDENS
Across the Street from The Chelsea Townhouse is 11 Cadogan Gardens, their sister property and another luxury property on site. It is very charming and offers a great deal more amenities and services than the Chelsea Townhouse, but you can access everything on the property, so it’s a win-win. When you enter the property to your right, you will find a library and a sitting area where you can relax and read by the fireplace. The hotel has a small gym that you can use, as well as a parlour room, a bar, and an outdoor “secret garden” where you can dine and have tea, and there is even a mirror room with floor-to-ceiling mirrors. You can reserve this room for your party and have tea here or a private event. If you have a special occasion, this would be the perfect room to reserve. It was stunning. As mentioned, the hotel houses the restaurant, Han’s Bar and Grill, which leads right out to Pavilion Road.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
The property is right near Pavilion Road, a cute, small road in Chelsea with different artisan shops and restaurants. It's a very nice stroll to grab a treat or just sit and people-watch. I’m sure it is very lively in the warmer months. Also nearby is Sloan Square with an array of high-end shops, galleries, and fine dining. I loved the neighborhood's vibe; it was large with plenty to do, yet also felt quaint and charming. It’s definitely a nice area to wander aimlessly and discover new shops and restaurants.
The Chelsea townhouse gives you a bit of an oasis in bustling London that is not as easy to get in other hotels in the city. You get the best of both worlds, as you can rest in the private gardens while also enjoying the liveliness of the city at your doorstep. The children’s afternoon tea and the garden are nice touches for families planning to visit.
See pricing and availability for The Chelsea Townhouse, HERE