Hotel review: Eccleston Square Hotel in the heart of London’s Belgravia

PA Life recently stayed at the exquisite Eccleston Square Hotel, an independently owned, 5* boutique hotel set within two handsome Grade II listed, late Georgian townhouses. Recognised as one of the best boutique hotels in London, this excellently located property combines intuitive technology with sophisticated interiors and bespoke service…

The hotel’s former neighbour, Winston Churchill, chose the location as his perfect London base, and it is still one of most exclusive neighbourhoods in the capital. The luxury boutique hotel sits on an idyllic garden square, steps from Elizabeth Street in Belgravia and its high-end lifestyle opportunities. It’s also very conveniently situated within minutes of the Victoria Station’s transport hub.

The stunning bedrooms at Eccleston Square Hotel

We stayed in one of the stunning balcony king rooms, while these rooms are smaller than others, they have beautiful high ceilings and overlook Eccleston Square’s award-winning gardens. Other rooms include the more spacious private patio signature king rooms which feature a discreet personal patio.

Technology is a prominent feature in the design of Eccleston Square Hotel and exists on two levels:

1. Guests will experience a wide range of intuitive, user-friendly amenities such as Smartglass bathroom walls (that transform bathroom glass walls and doors to opaque with a simple touch), electronically adjustable beds, Apple TVs, and powered curtains to mention but a few.
2. Guests also benefit from layers of invisible technology including super fast, secure WiFi, and the hotel’s newly upgraded, highly sophisticated building and energy management system that is designed to optimise comfort without anyone even suspecting, like the advanced underfloor heating which avoids temperature dips or spikes.

   

   

   
   

A world-renowned Hästens bed in every bedroom

The hero of each bedroom must be the sumptuous, handcrafted Swedish Hästens massage beds. Widely regarded as the best beds in the world, every bedroom at this independent boutique hotel features a Hastens bed, whereas some of the most elite (and expensive) hotels in London have a Hastens bed only in their top suites  (The Corinthia for example).

Each Eccleston Square Hotel Hästens bed is electronically adjustable with a Hästens remote control and has an inbuilt massage system to deliver variable massage settings – which explains why these beds retail for more than £30,000 each. A unique combination of natural fibres (horsehair, cotton, pine, flax, and wool) means the sleeper maintains a constant, comfortable temperature, with no overheating. For example, horsehair is known to have anti-wick benefits, such hair doesn’t absorb sweat, so these beds are also super hygienic. You can read more about the technology in horsehair, cotton, wool, and flax in this link.

Hotel guests have access to the beautiful Eccleston Square Gardens

Guests staying at the hotel have access to the beautiful, award-winning gardens which, besides the beautiful, rare blooms, feature vast picnicking spaces, BBQs, and even a tennis court. The three-acre garden square is subdivided into sections with noteworthy collections of roses, camellias, ferns and tree peonies. The garden holds the National Collection of Ceanothus comprising over 70 species and cultivars, some of which are now rare. With other notable important additions of unusual and tender plants regularly being grown and tested. Otherwise, these gardens are solely for residents of the square.

Members of the public can admire the gardens only two other times of the year: on the Open Garden Squares Weekend (alongside 190 other gardens and squares throughout the city) and for one day in May for the National Garden Scheme. As you can imagine, the gardens offer guests a tranquil retreat away from London’s otherwise crowded parks. Another perk of Eccleston Square Hotel during the heat of summer is its fantastic air conditioning.

Other notable points at Eccleston Square Hotel are the beautiful marble bathrooms,  with L’OCCITANE amenities, including adorable takeaway bottles of their best-selling pillow mist, made from lavender and sweet orange essential oils.

The ground floor features a truly elegant Minotti lounge with Italian handcrafted furniture, a relaxing dining room and a petite bar. But then, guests are only steps away from Belgravia’s exquisite Elizabeth Street and iconic Eccleston Yards which has a seemingly never-ending supply of beautiful independent bars, restaurants and boutiques to hand.

More about the neighbourhood around Eccleston Square

Less than a five-minute walk from Eccleston Square Hotel is the Thomas Cubitt. Situated in a Regency townhouse on Belgravia’s Elizabeth Street, the Thomas Cubitt is listed as one of the best restaurants, bars, and cafes in Victoria and Pimlico.

This is where you’ll find the locals – it’s a fantastic venue for parties, events, private dining or just catching up à deux. Shortlisted in the 2024 CATEY Awards for the best Pub & Bar Award, this gorgeous gastropub is as famous for its Sunday Roasts as it is for its selection of wine, spirits, and beers.

It’s worth exploring this gorgeous spot of London with many gems that are only really known by the locals. One such gem is Eccleston Yards, a glorious little corner of London with no through traffic and wall to wall independents of great interest.

Elizabeth Street is possibly the prettiest street in London, here you will find the most beautiful little independent, artisan boutique stores.

Here are some of the local experiences to take in when strolling down Elizabeth Street and Eccleston Yards:

• Window shop along Elizabeth Street, beautiful boutiques worth exploring include like Beulah (fighting slavery through fashion), Summerhill & Bishop, Philip Treacy (milliner extraordinaire), Me & EM, Jeroboams, Mungo & Maud, Jo Loves by Jo Malone and Joanna Wood.
• Pretty afternoon tea-ing or how about a DIY-icing experience with the masters at Biscuiteers Belgravia
• Take an immersive sound bath, meditation or wellness rituals at the Re:Mind studio
• Feel beautiful, inside and out with leading wellness treatments from SMUK and LondonCryo
• Get the pre-prandial endorphins racing at Barry’s Gym or with a Hot Yoga session
• Find unique and handcrafted one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces at Catherine Best
• The fashionista’s favourite – Wild by Tart’ – you’ll find its sustainable and seasonal approach to wining and dining is as cool as it is tasty
• The Thomas Cubitt is a gorgeous gourmet pub, part of the masterful Cubitt House Portfolio. It’s the right place for people watching, and eating like a lord
• Pretty cakes from Peggy Porschen are almost too good to eat – and must be photographed
• The best steaks and cocktails in Belgravia can genuinely be found at Eccleston Yards’ Jones Family Kitchen
• People-watch like a local with an espresso and a bagel at the uber cool TomTom Café
• Or you could save all your pennies and take a peaceful walk in the private, beautifully kept Eccleston Square Gardens, a very pretty perk available only to local residents and guests staying at Eccleston Square Hotel.

For further details and booking enquiries:

Rooms start at just £146 per night. For best rates and upgrades, do book direct on www.ecclestonsquarehotel.com

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