Belmond Cadogan Hotel | Chelsea

The Belmond Cadogan Hotel in Chelsea is an exquisite, historical refuge from the busy streets of London. Built in 1887, this stylish retreat is the best kept secret in Chelsea (except it’s not so secret anymore) and even has a private entrance for hotel guests. A favourite of socialites like Oscar Wilde and the former home of Lillie Langtry, the famed actress, socialite and companion of the then Prince of the Wales (future King Edward VII). This hotel is more than it appears, and if walls could talk we would love to curl up in one of the plush armchairs and listen all evening…

This quirky hotel offers a choice of 54 luxury rooms and suites designed with a blend of classic British charm with contemporary elegance creating a home away from home for every guest. The largest and most impressive suite has to be the royal suite, a beautiful space with a dramatic history. Why you ask? The door is marked 118 and is the famed room where renowned poet and playwright Oscar Wilde was arrested in 1895.

The Belmond Cadogan hotel is not just famed for its poets but for its art too. The hotel is a treasure trove for art lovers with over 430 unique, original works of art to discover throughout.

For an equally opulent experience, the Penthouse suite is a true indulgence. An elegant bedroom with a decadent marble bathroom, private dining rooms and views of the garden from the balcony are a must.

The perfect nights sleep is made even better when good food is involved, and we’ve heard the food here is sublime. The main dining room seats up to 50 guests with dishes created under the expert culinary direction of celebrated chef Adam Handling:

“Modern, British, seasonal, sustainable; that’s the ethos that underpins my cooking. I don’t want to be the best restaurant in the world—I want to be the local’s favourite in Chelsea.” – Adam Handling.

Tipped by Caterer magazine as one of ’30 under 30 to watch’, Adam has created a passionate menu of traditional British cuisine with modern flair. As well as fine dining, Belmond Cadogan also serves afternoon tea created by Adam Handling, plus there’s a pavement café for a quick coffee and snack on the go.

Full to the brim with an array of spirits, wines and mixers, the bar is much like the rest of the hotel – a timeless, exquisite space. Warmly lit with plenty of places to perch it‘s the perfect place to enjoy a drink.

Whether you fancy an afternoon post-exploration tipple or a pre-dinner drink the selection of British cocktails are the perfect accompaniment for a cheese and charcuterie board.

Guests at The Belmond Cadogan Hotel have exclusive access to Cadogan Place gardens, the fitness suite, spa suite and library. The Cadogan Place garden has to be one of our favourite spaces at the hotel and has remained relatively unchanged since it was laid out in 1886. The graceful garden features ornamental planting, sweeping lawns, and a true feeling of privacy. The best part about the garden (we think) is that the hotel will supply guests with blankets, deck chairs and board games so you can sit back and relax well into the evening without a care in the world.

The Belmond Cadogan Hotel is perfectly positioned in Chelsea and a great base from which to indulge in some retail therapy, expand your cultural mind with the many nearby museums and galleries (like the Saatchi Gallery), nightlife or just take in the sights. If you do stay here, a must visit if you do nothing else has to be the Chelsea Physic Garden.

Originally known as the Apothecary’s Garden, it was established in 1573 and is the oldest botanical garden in London. Home to roughly 5,000 different medicinal, herbal, edible and generally useful plants the Chelsea Physic Garden is a really amazing space to explore with friends and family. For the green-fingered enthusiasts that would prefer a more hands-on experience, there’s even plenty of events and workshops available throughout the year. Here’s a link to the website to find out more. To make a reservation or to discover more about The Belmond Cadogan Hotel visit the website here.

Images: The Belmond Cadogan Hotel