Travel: Sloane Place, London | Flush the Fashion

Situated in one of London’s most famous neighbourhoods, Sloane Place Hotel ‘soft launched’ initially in 2019 immediately as Covid struck. It was something that rendered the entire hospitality sector paralysed and with it an incredibly challenging situation for the owners. The good news is that they held on strong and (hopefully) now as people start to travel again this wonderful Boutique Hotel will begin to really flourish.

To give you some background, the Sloane Square Hotel is a close relation to the famous ‘Sloane Club’ next door. The well-respected member’s society is incidentally celebrating its 100 year anniversary next year and holds a special place in the local Community and beyond. Previous patrons have included members of parliament, celebrities and even some outer royal family members (although they are far too discreet to divulge names).

The new Boutique Hotel consists of twenty-three rooms plus four suites that have been skillfully and thoughtfully created from within the original property. The result is a harmonic blend of tradition and innovation.

The Room

We’re actually staying in one of the four suites and put simply it’s a really nice place to be. The decor is classically modern – in other words, the furniture is elegant, but the space has all the modern conveniences you need discreetly close at hand.

There is a nice living room and plenty of space to keep you at ease for longer stays. The small touches such as the low-level lights in the bathroom that come on automatically if you walk in there in the middle of the night or (my personal favourite) the phone call to ask when you’d like the ice sent up for your complimentary gin and tonic (courtesy of Sipsmith) reassure you that the staff here have only one thing on their mind and that is the guest’s happiness. It might sound simple, but it is something that is often overlooked even in the more luxurious of hotels.

Roof Terrace

It may be closed during the winter months, but this is definitely somewhere to remember for the Summer. The large outdoor patio space on the 3rd floor is hands-down one of the best places to meet with friends for drinks or food in this area when the sun once again peeks its head through the grey clouds and I’ll definitely be heading back.

The Hideaway

Before Covid hit the downstairs bar was an intimate venue for live performances from up-and-coming performers and just recently the Hotel has again begun presenting the ‘Sloane Sessions’ in this gorgeous Art-deco ‘hideaway’. An excellent acoustic guitarist/vocalist is performing at the Hotel when we are there and it’s a nice reminder that maybe, these are the kind of places that will help life become normal(ish) again before too long.

The Restaurant

I was surprised to learn that the Restaurant is actually frequented as much by locals as it is by Hotel guests. I was thinking perhaps the famous ‘Sloane Rangers’ are more Sloane ‘Stay close to Homers’ these days? Either way in the morning at breakfast there are people popping in for a coffee and croissant and there is a hip and bright energy about the space. I should mention my breakfast is fantastic, their sourdough bacon sandwich & porridge with berries (obviously in different bowls/plates) is just what I need to start the day, every day.

Visually, the decor is a sort of industrial chic, but it’s also warm and cosy – a combination that shouldn’t really go together but it does. In the evening the menu the lights are lowered and a menu full of tempting dishes such as Oriental Seafood bouillabaisse and Black Truffle Ravioli is revealed. There’s also signature Boa Buns that I’m hoping will still be on the menu when I return.

It’s hard to choose but I start with a Devon Crab Cocktail with avocado and spicy mango salsa that pops and pings the taste buds followed by an awesome lobster burger and truffle parmesan fries. My partner has a delicate Pan Roasted Scottish Stone Bass Fillet with oriental spiced ratatouille and basil pesto. Is it good? She said yes – very. Personally, I don’t know as it was gone before I could try any.

Cocktails?

There is a great wine list, but who can resist a cocktail now and again? What about a ‘Sloane Iced Tea’? It’s ‘Mint infused Earl Grey, citrus vodka, homemade honey syrup, cloudy apple juice and fresh lemon’. It’s enough to warm the cockles of the coldest of hearts! By the way, there seem to be quite a number of friendly Italians working at Sloane Square – I guess style and a passion for food come naturally.

Lee Westcott

Another sign that the Hotel is doing more than just the usual is that from 17-20th November, one of the UK’s most in-demand chefs, Lee Westcott will be in residence for a series of exclusive dinners. Lee joins Sloane Place’s Head Chef Bernhard Mayer in serving a six-course menu including dishes such as ‘Crab, roasted cep and cured egg yolk tartlet’, ‘IPA sourdough, marmite butter and roasted yeast and Beetroot, endive and smoked cream’.

Astonishingly, Lee earned a Michelin star at Pensons in Herefordshire after only seven months and his four nights at Sloane Place Restaurant are expected to be very popular (you can book on the website www.sloaneplace.com).

Christmas @ Sloane Place

If you are looking further ahead to Christmas there is more cool stuff on the way with a Festive Package that gives guests 15% off on bookings that include bed & breakfast between 13th – 27th December. And anyone who has been in this part of London at Christmas knows that there is always an extra special Festive feel. Plus, can there be anywhere better to have as a base for Christmas Shopping in all the boutiques nearby?

Furry Friends

One last cool thing about Sloane Place is that it is a dog-friendly hotel. You can bring them with you for an extra £30 per night. Just make sure you keep them away from the Gin!

So in summary, Sloane Place is very much the positive definition of a modern ‘Boutique Hotel’ it is also fast becoming a cornerstone of local life in this most distinguished part of London.

Nightly rates start from £200 on a B&B basis, for more info visit www.sloaneplace.com