Everyday, Luxury Travel, Europe, UK, £££

11 Cadogan Gardens: One of London’s Best Hidden Gems

September 12, 2016

I wasn’t sure whether or not to write this post. I considered keeping this place a secret all to myself. A hidden gem in the back streets of Chelsea, a very special hotel that not many people know about…but let’s keep 11 Cadogan Gardens a secret just between us and if you promise not to tell anyone, I’ll give you a little tour of the place….promise? Well ok then…
Don’t forget to wipe you feet…you’re entering somewhere pretty special.
The public areas of the hotel are a little maze-like as the hotel was originally four Victorian houses that were joined together by Lord Chelsea in the late 19th Century. I’m not going to lie, I got a bit lost wondering around the ground floor but that’s definitely part of the charm of the place!

If you read my previous post you’ll know that I was staying at 11 Cadogan Gardens as part of a collaboration with Small Luxury Hotels of the World. I started my day in the hotel’s restaurant Tartufo which offers an a la carte menu and a very fine breakfast table, the rest of the day sees a European menu with a strong Italian influence as well as a decadent truffle tasting menu.
With the history of the hotel being associated with Victorian aristocrats and bon viveurs, it’s no wonder that the decor is the epitome of decadence with Murano chandeliers, gilded mirrors and sumptuous brocade fabrics adorning the corridors.
An old grandfather clock sit majestically in the lobby.
A rather gothic staircase leads up to the hotel’s fifty six rooms and portraits hanging on the walls are a reminder of the historical past.
The lounge is the perfect place to enjoy the hotel’s afternoon tea with a French twist and there’s even a much coveted outdoor terrace for a cocktail after tea.
But the book-worm in me absolutely loved the hotel’s library.
And I could just imagine the poets, radicals, artists and writers of Bohemian London enjoying a lively debate in this very spot.
Finally, there’s the bar which boasts old-world charm combined with contemporary furnishings and a palette of moody charcoal accented with gold. Though the decor is opulent, it’s never over the top, this place has a subtly which is mimicked in the discreet service. After my indulgent day yesterday, I thought it wise to take the stairs back up to my room which had been beautifully refreshed while I was having breakfast.
I had stayed in a signature suite with this perfect princess four poster bed. Isn’t this the kind of beautiful bed that you dream of as a child?
With quirky equestrian themed cushions and beautiful fabric. No two bedrooms are the same at 11 Cadogan Gardens so each has its own personality.
I had a large lounge area with a sumptuous sofa to loll around on and a big wide-screen TV. Behind the sofa was a desk topped with goodies from the hotels that we’d visited yesterday including a personalised jewellery tray and luggage tag from luxury leather makers Ettinger and Neal’s Yard goodies.
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A pretty marble bathroom completed the decadent design and the products were from perfume house, Ormonde Jayne. I’ve long been a fan of the brand, the brainchild of Linda Pilkington who had her big break in the perfume industry when she was asked to create the perfect scented candle for Chanel.
I love the fact that 11 Cadogan Gardens gives you products that are a little special and different. But that’s the thing about this hotel, everything is a little special and different…
So now I’ve told you my secret, do you promise not to tell?