Knightsbridge is constantly busy but for some reason, this hotel exudes an air of calm and tranquility. After I'd fought my way past the crowds outside Harrods, I was feeling rather stressed so it was nice to turn into Beaufort gardens - a quiet tree lined street off Brompton Road. It was even nicer to walk into the hotel, which is cosy in a contemporary way and with warm and welcoming reception staff.
It's one of the Firmdale hotels (like the soho hotel, ham yard hotel and Haymarket hotel) and the talented hand of interior designer Kit Kemp is everywhere. I wish my house was like this!
The guests of the hotel's 44 rooms have two rooms to hang out in - the drawing room, which is like a living room, and the library which contains an honesty bar and is a place to take meals. My date and I went for afternoon tea and loved the homely vibes. The jam was home-made (strawberry and raspberry), the scones were warm and the cakes were hearty and decent - Victoria sponge, cupcakes and custard tarts - rather than fancy small things that look better than they taste. These cakes both looked and tasted good that day and the next day as they let us take a doggy bag away containing what we couldn't eat.
I don't know why anyone would take tea in Harrods, when this is around the corner and at least £10 cheaper. Also, they specialise in tea for kids with hot chocolate instead of tea and sandwiches tailored to younger tastebuds. Granny would love it, kids would love it and I loved it! read more