Introduction: The Cadogan hotel is one of the
oldest hotels in London,
dating from Victorian times, and sits on one the capitals better known roads,
Sloane Street. This location is on the Western border of central London. The
nearby Victoria station provides train links to most parts of the capital and
out to the rest of the UK as well as including a coach station and the starting
point for the Gatwick Express service to Gatwick Airport. Sloane Street lies
between Knightsbridge (home to
Harrods) and
Chelsea, both upmarket and fashionable shopping and residential areas. Sloane
Street itself has chic boutiques and shops along with bars and restaurants to
its Northern end (the hotel is in the middle) and with the very popular
Kings Road
to the Southern end. Just on the Eastern side of the street is Belgravia which
has some of the most expensive housing in the UK and is home to many of the
foreign embassies within London. Just to the West of the hotel is Beauchamp
Place, known for its high fashion shops and designer clothes. Less than half a
mile to the north is
Hyde Park and
Kensington gardens which together form a huge park with much to see and do
including the
Serpentine Gallery and
Kensington
Palace. In short the hotel is surrounded by chic and upmarket shopping and
residential areas and makes a great base to explore London. Other nearby places
of interest include the
Victoria and Albert Museum (0.5 miles),
Wellington Arch
(0.5 miles),
Science Museum (0.6 miles), National Army Museum (0.7 miles),
Albert memorial
(0.7 miles) and the
Natural
History Museum (0.7 miles).
Buckingham
Palace is less than one mile from the hotel.
Hotel:
The Cadogan hotel is an elegant townhouse hotel that has been likened to a Country style hotel with an atmosphere
reminiscent of the Victoria era. The exterior of the building is clad in Harrods brick and terracotta.
All of the rooms and suites are individually decorated with a design that aims
to bring comfort and a feeling of calm to its guests. Rooms are all en-suite
(with shower, hairdryer, phone, robe and toiletries) and amenities include room safe,
Steam iron and ironing board, mini
bar, electronic locking, satellite television (flat screen), radio,
dual line direct dial telephone with voice mail, DVD player, high speed internet access
(charge), modem and fax lines. All bedrooms are air-conditioned.
There are three main types of bedrooms, individually named suites, Contemporary
styled rooms and Edwardian styled rooms.
The named suites are:
Edward VII Suite, Oscar Wilde suite and the Lillie Langtry. They are each named
after former famous guests and the decor is designed to reflect the era and
their former guests.
Dining:
The Cadogan hotel restaurant is the Langtry's, open to residents and
non-residents alike. Features that help to being a sense of luxury are the
original glass chandeliers, Carrera-marble Louis XIV fireplace and the complex
designs that adorn the ceiling. Serves modern British cuisine and classic dishes. Has been
awarded two rosettes by the AA and had a recommendation in the good food guide
Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner (closed Sunday evening).
The hotel bar has a traditional style and features red oak panelling, leather
chairs and serves a bar snack menu. Enjoy cocktails including hotel specialties.
The Drawing room again is very much in a traditional style with comfortable
armchairs against the wood panelled walls. This is where afternoon tea is served
along with Tapas.
Hotel:
There are two quality meeting rooms that make use natural light, have WiFi
internet access and can accommodate up to 70 delegates reception style.
The hotel has a dedicated business centre with laptop hire (can be used in your
room), secretarial services, copy, fax, WiFi and dial-up internet access.
Onsite is a fitness room that is open 24/7. Equipment includes a variety of
cardio machines along with free weights.
Floors have lift access.
The hotel has a team of concierge's for your assistance. Guests have access to
Cadogan Place, a leafy private garden square just opposite the hotel. Tennis
courts may be reserved.
Parking: None onsite. Limited
hours meter parking available in neighbouring roads. Public NCP pay car park
just across the street on Cadogan Place. Valet parking option offered.
Room Numbers: 65 / 5 floors
Check-in: 14.00 (2 pm)
Check-out: 12.00 noon
History:
The hotel was built in 1887 but wasn't used as a hotel until 1895. The hotel has
a place in history for two notable events in particular. Lillie Langtry, a
famous British actress, entertained the future King Edward VII at the hotel. In
deed she lived at 21 Pont Street from 1892 to 1897, a residence that later
became part of the hotel and she stayed in her old bedroom after moving out when
the bedroom was by then within the hotel proper.
The other notable event was just after the hotel opened in 1895. Oscar Wilde,
known across the world as a leading playwright, was arrested in room 118 on
charges of gross indecency.
Awards:
Forbes Traveler Top 400: 2007
