KCR Summer 2025 Mag V2 - Flipbook - Page 52
Sloane Square Hotel
There are several reasons why Sloane Square Hotel is easily one of my
favourite places to be anywhere in the world. All the desirable and
vaunted bits including the beautiful rooms and physical spaces, food
o昀昀erings within and around the property, impeccable service and
outstanding location coalesce most grandly to ensure the most idyllic
stay. Then there’s the history of having been a hotel for over a century
since the 1890s and then there is The Knox! The latter is a fantastically
anachronistic nod to 70’s Miami club culture complete with velvet
curtains and music where the needle doesn’t skip beyond 1979. The
Sloane Square Hotel exudes a warm classiness interspersed with a
uniquely boutique-homely keynotes to make it an ideal stop for lengthy
stays and staycations.
A brief look into the history of the property reveals George Bernard and
Amos Ballard, as the 昀椀rst owners in the 1900s. During the 1960s, the
hotel was an integral part of Swinging London and in early February
1962, The Beatles stayed in the hotel and shot several photos within the
building. In fact, Paul McCartney and his future girlfriend Jane Asher
met here when the Beatle was interviewed by the Radio Times on 18
April 1963. The recent renaissance was masterminded by hotelier John
Tham, former MD of the distinguished Cliveden hotel who renamed it
Sloane Square Hotel and completed its renovation in 2006. The present
incarnation delivers on that hallowed history and luxury credentials.
History aside, let’s not forget that the property lays claim to arguably the
most iconic location within the Royal Borough if not all of London itself.
Several rooms house loungey diwans right by their large windows all
overlooking Sloane Square and lying down on one of these beauties and
gazing across the historic square is guaranteed to provide several blissfully joyful moments from dusk till dawn and beyond. The moment you
enter the hotel, the wonderful sta昀昀 at Sloane Square Hotel are at hand
to help guide in making it a fabulous stay. For instance, I can recount
Katie, one of the most welcoming receptionists spent close to 5 minutes
explaining the London Tube map and the surrounding area to a couple
of American tourists. Then there’s Kiara, the bubbly Australian who
smiled at me in the lift and urged me to visit The Knox that night. There
KENSINGTON & CHELSEA REVIEW
is an endearing warmth that exudes e昀昀ortlessly all around the hotel and
it’s these wonderful people who keep that 昀椀re aglow.
The rooms are immaculately put together with some outstanding extras
such as Dyson hairdryers and the wonderfully thoughtful TRIDUCNA
Neck and Back Massager for the most heavenly self-administered deep
tissue Shiatsu massage. Toiletries from Elemis perfume the gorgeous
bathroom spaces and there is even a cute little teddy bear to soothe
single travellers to sleep. It’s amazing how these little details matter
and the thoughtful folks at Sloane Square Hotel are determined to make
your stay as comfy, luxurious and homely as possible. Excellent
continental breakfasts await guests every morning in the 昀椀rst-昀氀oor
restaurant and particular highlights include fresh bread, homemade
quiches, honey from Greece, freshly squeezed orange juice and some
rather gorgeous ginger shots from MeJuicer. There is also the most
gorgeous Bloody Mary corner where I fashioned myself the tastiest and
most invigorating of those morning cocktails in less than 2 minutes.
And then there’s the Knox. You’ve heard it here forst giuys – head to
this amazin space before it becomes the talk of the neighbourhood.
Launched in Spring within the basement of the hotel, it is a superb
sensory K-hole into 70’s Miami. A disco wonderland and speakeasy-inspired bar with expertly crafted cocktails such in昀氀uences such as ‘Disco
Inferno’, ‘Sunny’s Last Sip’ and ‘Miami Mornings’ fuel your dancing to
vinyl. Chelsea’s best-kept secret is out so let’s make it a bugger party
than it already is.
Sloane Square Hotel delivers on every count and its location at the
intersection of the iconic King’s Road and the elegant Sloane Street
昀椀rmly cements its position as one of our favourites. It is a masterclass
in top-class service and the perfect amalgamation of luxury, warmth and
homeliness in a historic building in the most gorgeous setting. It is our
home away from home.
THE SLOANE SQUARE HOTEL 7-12 Sloane Square, London SW1W
8EG
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