Anyone who has traveled to London knows about the wide variety of lodging there; there are many niches even within the luxury hotel set. The Savoy is famously swanky, while upscale hip hotels in Soho and other trendy area neighborhoods prove that luxury and liveliness can easily coexist in London hotels. However, travelers can find lodging with a youthful feel in most cosmopolitan travel destinations. There is something to be said about hotels that provide a sense of place and a nod to a destination's history. In my opinion, no luxury hotel in London does this better than the 5-star Draycott Hotel.
The Neighborhood
The Draycott Hotel is on Cadogan Gardens, a quiet, leafy street between London high streets King's Road (Chelsea), Sloane Street, and Knightsbridge. This puts it right in the middle of the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Jimmy Choo, Prada and other high-end shopping stops are a 5-minute walk away. The Victoria and Albert, Science, and Natural History Museums are also a short stroll from the hotel. This neighborhood is renown for being one of the most upscale in London.
The Hotel
The Draycott was adapted from three connecting, large houses -- 22-26 Cadogan Gardens -- that were built originally by Lord Cadogan in the 1890's as part of the Cadogen Estate. The Edwardian Era is represented fully in the Draycott Hotel. However, modern touches like free Wi-Fi, flat screen televisions (DVDs, Playstations and games available upon request), chauffeur service, and recently renovated, large bathrooms with heated towel racks ensure that a luxury trip will not be inconvenienced by old plumbing and other purely Edwardian details.
Each room and suite at the Draycott Hotel in London maintains the feel of the apartments from which they were renovated. There are 35 guest rooms here, each decorated differently but with an interior design appropriate to the era. The rooms and suites are named for literary and theater greats of England's past (we stayed in the Agatha Christie, for example). The suites are very large and fit a family comfortably, with separate seating areas, writing desks, sofas and stuffed chairs. Full kitchens in the junior suites are useful for longer stays, and for providing a homey feel.
The Experience
This is a romantic 5-star hotel, and while there were a couple of other families there with us, my kids and I were definitely not at Disneyland. My children loved the complementary afternoon tea and cookies, and the complimentary evening hot chocolate. They really enjoyed the comfortable beds and park-like private grounds as well. However, the Draycott Hotel is in a quiet, expensive residential neighborhood. Less sophisticated kids (such as toddlers) might not have as good a time as my older, well-traveled offspring. Parents of rambunctious younger kids may want to keep this in mind.
The Draycott Hotel is highly recommended. It beautifully maintains its original Edwardian feel. The ambiance is pure old England, from the grounds to the staff to the design and afternoon tea. There couldn't be a more stark difference than there is between the Draycott Hotel and any of those massive, personality-free international hotel chains. There is no mistaking where you are. A stay at the Draycott will perfectly compliment a classically British luxury London vacation. Travelers without accompanying children will surely find the romance and appeal of the Draycott Hotel irresistible.
Jennifer W. Miner - Jennifer has years of travel writing experience, spoken at several national conferences, and more. See Jendeavor.com for more details.
