Tucked away on a quiet garden square, the Eccleston Square Hotel is one of London’s best-kept secrets (well, until now). Nestled in one of the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, it’s perfectly positioned for all of London’s must-see sights. But if you’d rather skip the tourist stampede, you’re just a leisurely stroll away from Elizabeth Street in Belgravia – a delightful spot where you can browse unique boutiques, sip on an delish latte, or pretend you’re in a scene from a Richard Curtis film. And should you need to hop around the city, London Victoria station is conveniently around the corner. The Eccleston Square Hotel has got you covered, whether you’re here to tick off your sightseeing list or simply to luxuriate in London’s more relaxed corners.
Now, let’s talk tech. This hotel is where Georgian charm meets the 21st century in the most stylish of ways. Picture this: 200 years of history, tastefully paired with cutting-edge gadgetry like SONOS sound bars, smart TVs, and bathroom walls that turn opaque with just a touch – perfect for those who prefer a little mystery with their morning shower. But the real star of the show is the handcrafted Swedish Hästens massage bed, hailed as the best bed in the world (and after a night here, I’m inclined to agree). These beds, made from the finest natural materials, are adjustable with a remote control that lets you choose from a range of massage settings. It’s like having your own personal masseuse on standby – minus the awkward chit chat!
The rooms are fitted with exquisite marble bathrooms and stocked with L’OCCITANE amenities, including take-away bottles of their dreamy pillow mist. Trust me, once you’ve spritzed your pillow with this lavender and sweet orange concoction, you’ll be falling asleep faster than you can say “jet lag.” It’s these thoughtful touches that truly set the Eccleston Square Hotel apart from the pack.
Guests also get exclusive access to Eccleston Square Gardens, a serene sanctuary just opposite the hotel. Developed by the legendary London architect Thomas Cubitt in the 1830s, the gardens are dotted with majestic plane trees that create a perfect backdrop for a quiet moment of reflection – or, if you’re anything like me, some harmless eavesdropping on the locals (I’m a sucker for gossip). With access restricted to just the residents of the square and hotel guests, it’s the perfect escape to recharge, regroup, or simply hide from London’s louder corners.
The staff here are a delight – on hand 24/7 to cater to your every whim. Whether you prefer to chat with them in person or use the nifty WhatsApp option to make your requests, they’re always polite and professional.
Pro tip: For the best views of the gardens (and for those, like me, who enjoy a good bit of people-watching), book yourself a balcony king room. I spent a blissful evening perched on my balcony, observing the world go by in the cosy, softly lit square below. It was like watching a live-action version of "Notting Hill," minus Hugh Grant and sadly no Julia Robert’s either, but it was lovely either way.
For dinner, we ventured out and decided to walk 40 minutes to Marylebone to try Junsei, a traditional Yakitori restaurant. Despite their speciality in chicken skewers, we were spoiled for choice with their vegetarian and pescatarian offerings. The décor was beautiful, with a genuine Japanese vibe and stunning attention to detail. The service? Impeccable – attentive, polite, and incredibly prompt.
We started with padron pepper, tofu, and mushroom skewers, which were so delicious they disappeared in seconds. Next, we shared the Akami crudo – the most tender tuna loin I’ve ever tasted. It was so good we ordered another dish, much to the amusement of our waiter. The tofu tomato skewers were another revelation, packed with flavour and instantly added to our favourites list. The Chawanmushi, an egg custard dish, didn’t quite hit the mark for me (imagine a crème brûlée, but instead of sugar, there was seafood lurking inside), though the crab and prawn ball was a nice surprise. But the grilled Hotate was the showstopper – a perfectly cooked scallop with a sauce made from Eryngii mushrooms and Shoyu butter, it had us talking about it for hours after (and I’ve been googling how to make the sauce myself), just gorgeous and I highly recommend you visit.
Back at the Eccleston Square Hotel, we finished the night with a bed massage (yes, really!) and drifted off to the gentle hum of the square outside. Breakfast in the morning was continental – toast, bagels, cold cuts, fruit, and cereals – but there’s an à la carte menu for those who like to start their day with something more substantial. For an extra £5 each, we went for the veggie breakfast bowl, which arrived brimming with beans, grilled halloumi, a sunny-side-up egg, and mushroom sauce. Delicious, filling, and the perfect fuel for another day of London adventures. The service was friendly, and the lovely lady serving us couldn’t have been more attentive.
Until next time, Eccleston Square Hotel – it’s been a blast!
By Stanley Dru
Eccleston Square Hotel www.ecclestonsquarehotel.com
@ecclestonsquarehotel
Junsei
@junsei_uk
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