THE INITIAL IMPRESSION
Located along Chesham street in one of London's most upscale and charming neighbourhoods, the Belgraves Hotel in London is a luxurious home away from home. Walking through the front doors, you immediately feel the blend of traditional British hospitality with the American bohemian attitude. A man wearing a casual shirt helps us at the door, and the ensuing modern interior and staff service is friendly and warm.
THE SPACE
The lobby is an interior haven with chic design books on even chicer design tables. The elements are not all matching, playing with a Brooklyn-loft feeling. Kind of like stepping into Dan from Gossip Girl's home apartment. There's a lot of character, and a lot of care, put into the design of the spaces.
Very popular is Belgrave's terrace - situated up some stairs beyond the bar on the first floor, it's become a top choice venue for food and drinks with friends, although you need to remember to book prior, since they're usually quite busy. Smoking is allowed here, and you do feel like you're in a magical garden: the walls are covered with greenery and the glass ceiling gives you a glimpse of the sky. For us, we only saw grey droplets of the sad london rain, but in summer and spring, the ceiling is opened to let in a soft breeze. We definitely recommend you to visit the Belgraves Terrace for food and drinks when it's warmer - the place is pure relaxation with happy vibes.
The hotel features gym, meeting and private dining options - with a cosy bar lounge with warm decor that is great to chill out in. The specific area is transformable into a glamourously casual space for private events.
The restaurant headed by celebrity chef Sophie Michell features fine dining with a focus on Seafood. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served throughout the day, the most key dishes being sharing plates, and specifics such as smoked swordfish Carpaccio, King Prawns and Anglais Chicken. Simpler dishes are also extremely popular.
Belgraves is a smaller boutique hotel, yet still encompasses 85 rooms and suites, all designed to fit right into an interior magazine. The palette of the rooms is neutral, and elements are clean-cut and minimalist, with individualistic design pieces like the rug and one-sided floor-length mirrors in the bathroom (trust me, we were quite self-conscious too until told that people outside could barely see us).
The premium suites include the King Premium Room at 38 meters squared, two Thompson suites (with balcony, separate room and living areas complete with kitchen and two bathrooms), and one incredible Penthouse. The terrace apparently offers a great view of fireworks across London on New Years Eve. A possibility for the entry into 2015? We're noting that down.
Words and Images by Victoria Jin
THE LOCATION
LONDON BELGRAVES
20 Chesham Pl
London SW1X 8HQ
