Check in at one of the neighbourhood’s landmark luxury hotels, including The Cadogan, a Belmond Hotel, which reopened in 2019 following a £39-million refurbishment; The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, which opened again in July 2021 after an 18-month closure for a major refurbishment; and intimate boutique hotel 11 Cadogan Gardens.

Enjoy a day of shopping along Sloane Street, which is lined with the flagship boutiques of global designer brands and surrounded by world-class restaurants and leading wellness and beauty venues.

Culturally, Chelsea is home to beloved art, music and theatrical venues including the Royal Court Theatre and Cadogan Hall, and is within walking distance of the treasures within the Victoria and Albert Museum and the wonders of the Science Museum.

From explorations of contemporary art at the Saatchi Gallery and a voyage through the fascinating Chelsea Physic Garden, to the best places for brunch, cocktails and dinner, here’s our guide to having the perfect Chelsea staycation.

WHERE TO STAY

Beaverbrook Town House
115 Sloane Street, SW1X 9PJ

Beaverbrook, Surrey’s much-loved countryside hotel and spa, has opened the doors to its first London outpost, Beaverbrook Town House, on Sloane Street.

Overlooking Cadogan Place Gardens and set across two lovingly restored Georgian townhouses, the hotel and its 14 bedrooms and suites have all the charm of its older sibling, with exquisite rooms, lavish bathrooms, a seductive cocktail bar and a remarkable new Japanese restaurant that welcomes walk-ins.

Set on the ground floor of the hotel, the Fuji Grill and Omakase Sushi Bar serves an array of flawless sushi, sashimi and nigiri, alongside dishes including Kobe beef and some rare dry-aged fish.

The Cadogan, a Belmond hotel
75 Sloane Street, SW1X 9SG

The historic Cadogan Hotel was built in 1887 and played an integral role in Chelsea’s social history. This was the scene of Oscar Wilde’s notorious 1895 arrest, an incident that inspired Sir John Betjeman’s poem, The Arrest of Oscar Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel.

After undergoing a five-year, £39-million renovation under the scrupulous eye of luxury hotel group Belmond, it reopened in 2019 as an establishment worthy of its colourful past, with impeccably stylish rooms, a bar that serves very notable cocktails and a remarkable collection of art.

11 Cadogan Gardens
11 Cadogan Gardens, SW3 2RJ

This boutique hotel is one of London’s best-kept secrets. It was built by Lord Chelsea in the late 19th century and originally comprised four separate Victorian townhouses, explaining the labyrinthine layout. Each of the 56 opulent bedrooms and suites is uniquely decorated with unexpected touches throughout. The hotel’s restaurant, Hans’ Bar & Grill (more below), is a fabulous spot for dinner and the Pavilion Road terrace is an idyllic place to enjoy an alfresco evening cocktail.

The Apartments by 11 Cadogan Gardens
11 Cadogan Gardens, SW3 2RJ

Boutique hotel 11 Cadogan Gardens has expanded into a neighbouring six-floor, red-brick Victorian townhouse, and now offers a tranquil home-away-from-home experience in six elegant apartment suites managed by Iconic Luxury Hotels, the group that owns Cliveden House and Chewton Glen.

Situated at 20 Cadogan Gardens, the apartments range from one to three bedrooms, each occupying one floor of the townhouse. The annual Chelsea Flower Show inspired the design, wallpapers and aptly themed Taschen books throughout. All kitchens are fully equipped with Bosch appliances and fridges are stocked with essentials and home comforts prior to every guest’s arrival.

Sloane Square Hotel
7–12 Sloane Square, SW1W 8EG

You couldn’t ask for a better location to explore Chelsea and beyond. Right on Sloane Square and just moments from the fashionable temptations of Sloane Street’s luxury fashion boutiques, as well as some of the area’s most popular restaurants and bars, including The Botanist, Colbert and Tonteria. There are total blackout curtains in all rooms, and the beds are made with luxurious Egyptian cotton linen and the softest pillows so you can count on a restful stay right in the heart of the neighbourhood.

The Carlton Tower Jumeirah
1 Cadogan Place, SW1X 9PY

After an 18-month closure for refurbishment, the hotel has undergone a major transformation that cost over £100 million. When the 17-storey hotel first opened in 1961, it was London’s first tower hotel and it became a hub of international glamour – the place to play, stay or both. We expect to see a swift return to that state of affairs.

Every last inch of the building has been redesigned, with a new foyer and reception; 186 new bedrooms and suites, reduced from 216 to offer more space to guests (hot tip: 87 of the rooms and suites have balconies overlooking Chelsea); the hotel’s famous The Peak Fitness Club and Spa features London’s largest naturally lit swimming pool; and a new destination restaurant, Al Mare, which offers a sophisticated and welcoming take on Italian cuisine from head chef Marco Calenzo.

San Domenico House
29-31 Draycott Place, SW3 2SH

San Domenico House is a boutique hotel that brings all the charm of Italian hospitality to this little corner of London. Just a stone’s throw from the Saatchi Gallery and Sloane Street, the hotel is decorated with antiques and rich textures, with a rooftop terrace that’s ideal for a sunny-evening cocktail (or two).

Draycott Hotel
22-26 Cadogan Gardens, SW3 2RP

If you’re looking for traditional British charm, the Draycott Hotel promises timeless elegance with quintessentially English luxury. You’ll be delighted with the personal touches that have endeared the hotel to generations of guests, who are offered complimentary afternoon tea and evening champagne in the drawing room.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

Sloane Square
50-52 Sloane Square, SW1W 8AX

The post-lockdown, open-air pop-ups on Sloane Square proved so popular with locals and visitors that the Square is now home to a year-round line-up of rotating pop-ups from the neighbourhood’s most-loved restaurants and bars. Summer 2021 has seen Colbert’s Tanqueray Gin Bar and The Botanist ‘Pizza on the Square’ partnership with Casamigos tequila. Sign up for our newsletter for all the latest happenings on Sloane Square.

Granger & Co.
237 Pavilion Road, SW1X 0BP

Granger & Co. is famous for its brunches, which includes stacks of fluffy ricotta hotcakes and the creamiest scrambled eggs this side of Sydney, where chef Bill Granger made his name. The restaurant is open all day and there’s a lovely palm-filled terrace if you fancy dining alfresco.

Harry’s Dolce Vita
27-31 Basil Street, SW3 1BB

Make a reservation at Harry’s Dolce Vita and be transported to Italy’s La Dolce Vita period. Order a cocktail at the gorgeous bar (make it a Bellini; Harry’s is famous for them), then indulge in an unapologetically Italian menu of delights like Harry’s taglioni, clad seductively with cream, black truffles and heaps of melted Parmesan, or one of the visually arresting puddings.

Hans’ Bar & Grill
11 Cadogan Gardens, SW3 2RJ

Named after Sir Hans Sloane, who was credited with bringing cocoa to the UK, Hans’ Bar & Grill has an impressive all-day dining menu is full of standout dishes that combine British fare with the spicy flavours of Southeast Asia. The terrace on Pavilion Road is sunniest in the morning, making it a perfect spot for a coffee to start your day.

The Botanist
7 Sloane Square, SW1W 8EE

Set right on the corner of Sloane Square, The Botanist is one of the most stylish places to see and be seen in Chelsea. Flatteringly lit and decadently fitted out in sumptuous fabrics, it’s the perfect spot for a post-shopping cocktail or weekend brunch.

Colbert
50-52 Sloane Square, SW1W 8AX

You won’t find a better chicken liver parfait or duck confit this side of the Bois de Boulogne than at Colbert, a proper French brasserie inspired by the great boulevard cafés of Paris. Breakfasts at Colbert are a treat: traditional pâtisseries, fluffy omelettes, stacks of buttermilk pancakes topped with syrup and more. It’s a great spot to linger over a long lunch and, since it’s just a few doors down from the Royal Court, it’s ideal for pre- or post-theatre dining.

Sumosan Twiga
165 Sloane Street, SW1X 9QB

Japanese and Italian cuisines meet at Sumosan Twiga, bringing together the combined passions of former F1 boss Flavio Briatore and Sumosan founder Janina Wolkow at Sumosan Twiga. They have realised their shared vision of creating a uniquely glamorous destination that caters for every element of a night out, from pre-dinner cocktails all the way to late-night high-jinx at Twiga Late Night Lounge, the restaurant’s African-inspired club. It’s all under one sleek roof.

WHAT TO DO

Pavilion Road
237-251 Pavilion Road, SW1X 0BP

Tucked just behind Sloane Street is Pavilion Road, a charming pedestrianised space and a gourmand’s paradise. Explore the offerings from artisan food producers and providers, including London Cheesemongers, Bread Ahead, Ice Cream Union, Natoora and Provenance Village Butcher.

Chelsea Physic Garden
66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HS

Soak up the sunshine within the grounds of the Chelsea Physic Garden, one of the most magical places in London. The garden was established in 1673 as the Apothecaries’ Garden by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries to grow plants to be used as medicines. You’ll discover rare plants, flowers and trees as you marvel at the healing power of plants.

Saatchi Gallery
Duke of York’s HQ, King’s Road, SW3 4RY

Be inspired at the Saatchi Gallery, one of the most recognised names in contemporary art, renowned for its innovative exhibitions that focus on largely unseen young artists, or by international artists whose work has been rarely or never exhibited in the UK.

Victoria and Albert Museum
66 Royal Hospital Road, SW3 4HS

There are over 200,000 objects to discover, across six floors and seven miles of gallery space at the V&A. In May 2021, the museum unveiled three major exhibitions and the transformed Raphael Court, home to the Raphael Cartoons, which are among the greatest treasures of the Renaissance in the UK.

Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser explores the cultural impact of Alice in Wonderland across film, performance, fashion, art, music and photography in an immersive and mind-bending trip down the rabbit hole.

Epic Iran tells the story of Iranian art and design over 5,000 years of culture – from 3,000 BC to the present day – providing an insight into a culture often seen through a different lens in the media.

Bags: Inside Out takes visitors through the style, craft and seduction of the ultimate accessory, from Winston Churchill’s dispatch box to celebrity ‘it’ handbags.

Urban Retreat at The White House
2 Hans Crescent, SW1X 0LH

Set just behind Sloane Street in a five-storey, 12,000-square-foot former private residence, the first-ever Urban Retreat flagship is the ultimate pampering destination. Here, among the extensive offering of services, you can be massaged, manicured, pierced with Lark & Berry jewellery, have your hair done, address digestive issues at the colonic clinic, and practise yoga. You can book blocks of time in the spa to fill how you please, and wrap up your treatments with a meal at vegan restaurant Holy Carrot.