A first look at Chelsea’s Belmond Cadogan Hotel

The writer Joan Didion once said of hotels that they “have always been social ideas, flawless mirrors to the particular societies they service”. Upon entering the Belmond Cadogan Hotel, an establishment in the heart of Chelsea, this certainly rings true.

Having been frequented in its original form by everyone from Agatha Christie to Oscar Wilde, the hotel has now been acquired by Belmond as their first London property, offering a unique addition to the city’s hotel scene.

This acquisition builds on Belmond’s portfolio of iconic hotels and travel experiences, including the Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice and the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express luxury train.

Following extensive refurbishment, this spectacular hotel is now ready to welcome guests seeking to experience the best that the glittering capital has to offer.

There is nothing particularly groundbreaking about a luxury hotel promising a ‘home from home’ experience, but not every luxury hotel is owned by the Cadogan Estate. For the duration of their stay here, guests will be classified as Cadogan Estate residents — a whole new take on ‘make yourself at home’.

With a longstanding history as the top hotel in London Knightsbridge, the rooms and suites at Belmond Cadogan Hotel pay tribute to the building’s remarkable past, while offering every modern indulgence.

Highlights include over 400 pieces of original art, from over 20 artists, many of which adorn the 54 rooms and suites. The overall effect here is one of an instant feel of intimacy.

A personal favourite feature that guests can enjoy here: guests can give the name of their favourite book and find it resting on a bedside table upon arrival, thanks to the hotel’s partnership with a local bookseller.

A year in the making, Adam Handling Chelsea is the main restaurant within the hotel, designed by Adam with destination diners, hotel guests, and locals in mind. The menu has been designed to encapsulate the very ‘Best of British’, taking a sustainable approach to British luxury and calling on the building’s illustrious heritage.

The restaurant itself, which features a large, open kitchen and counter dining alongside the main restaurant area, has its own entrance on the corner of Sloane Street and Pont Street.

In Adam’s words, the menu is ‘inspired by London’, and uses the finest ingredients from across the British Isles, combining his passion for London’s vibrant culture and diverse food scene with his distinctive and perfectly-executed cooking style.

Reservations for the restaurant are now being taken now for 28th February onwards.

Undoubtedly one of the greatest perks to a stay at the Belmond Cadogan Hotel, is the access it affords guests to the beautiful, private Cadogan Gardens — historically a space reserved for local residents only.

Looking to make the perfect romantic statement? Why not organise an alfresco picnic in the gardens —prepared by the expert chefs and personalised to your preference. Alternatively, the gardens also play host to beautiful tennis courts, for which equipment can be arranged and provided by the concierge.

Looking for more destination inspiration? These are the best villas to rent in the Mediterranean this summer…

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