San Domenico House, London, United Kingdom
San Domenico House 5 Stars
"Intimate and refined with eclectic Baroque touches: a beautiful townhouse conversion tucked away in Chelsea."
Hotel Overview
Review of San Domenico House, by Isabel Clift
San Domenico House is just off Sloane Square, but the insides feel more like stepping into a grand Italian mansion. Eccentric and luxurious, the hotel's warren-like corridors and stairwells lead to huge rooms filled with antiques and oil portraits. A sister hotel to Masseria San Domenico in Puglia, it's old-school Italian hospitality makes the place feel exceptionally homey and private.
Striped and flowery couches in the lounge make for a comfy place to sit and admire the surroundings - marble fireplace, mirror panelled walls and all. An admiral's uniform is propped on a mannequin in the corner of the room, bringing a pleasingly skew-whiff air to the decadence. Formal English drawing rooms are much less fun.
A bright breakfast room serves a slap-up Full English as well as continental options. Alcoves of decorative willow-pattern crockery and a fireplace festooned with greenery gives the room a cosy, family-kitchen feel. There's no restaurant, but the Italian-inspired room service menu is sure to satisfy. When the sun shines, rush up to the roof terrace to enjoy sweeping views of south west London.
Fifteen bedrooms and suites are filled with crushed velvet curtains, curly-footed antique furniture and ornate mirrors. Beds will please aspiring aristocrats - high-ceilinged Junior Suites boast ones with 25ft gold-canopied headboards, while Gallery Suites have four posters with heavy curtains and plenty of frills and flourishes. Gallery Suites also enjoy a split level space, so you can parade down your oak staircase to the sunken bedchamber with true regal poise.
Smaller Double Superior rooms on the top floor are no less enchanting, with large oil paintings, fairytale wardrobes and queen sized beds with rustic antique headboards. Some have the bonus of private balconies with fab rooftop views. All rooms at San Domenico House enjoy modern black marble bathrooms with Molton Brown toiletries and deep baths.
Facilities
Rooms
15Awards
"Best London B&B" AA Travel Awards 09; "Hot List" Conde Nast Traveller 06Who stays here?
Designers, fashion editors and Italian glitterati.
Come for...
- Champagne on the roof terrace
- The lavish surroundings — so this is what an Italian aristocrat's house looks like. . .
- Contemporary art in the neighbouring Saatchi Gallery
Not Suitable for...
- Those seeking big-hotel bells and whistles or soothing beige-on-beige decor
Children
Cots and sofa beds available for children, as well as an interconnecting family room. No special children's menu, but staff will prepare kids' meals on request.
Eating in
No restaurant, but room service runs between midday and 9:00 pm.
The Press Say
"Our favourites included a junior suite with walls done out in powder blue with deep red and gold furnishings, a double room with delicate printed wallpaper, elegant original built-in closets and antique Louis Vuitton luggage at the foot of the bed." Independent 08
Reviews
Review of San Domenico House, by Angela Moore
San Domenico House, owned by the same Italian family who own the hideaway Masseria San Domenico, is a luxury townhouse hotel at the Sloane Square end of the Kings Road. Expectedly, but no less delightfully, it is decorated in opulent, ornate Italian style.
The lobby and drawing room are hung with huge oils and heavy drapes. There are standing lamps and gilded mirrors and sumptuous silk sofas ranged around fireplaces. It's saved from showiness by the occasional, strategically placed quirky piece of furniture or thoughtful artwork. There may be a lot of marble and gilt but there are also cheeky stone putti and painted candlesticks in the shape of elephants and Ghurkhas. The front desk runs a full concierge service. Bonus: the roof terrace, with a scattering of pretty tables and lovely views of Chelsea.
Dramatic and opulent, and each unique, the 15 rooms in San Domenico House are exceedingly spacious; those on the lower floors have soaring high ceilings. Superior doubles are higher in the house, with lower ceilings, and junior suites are simply enormous. All show great attention to detail and all are furnished with wonderful, imaginative pieces. There are fabric-covered walls, stacks of Vuitton trunks, and portraits of coquettish Edwardian ladies. Bathrooms are laden with marble and chrome, and generously stocked with Molton Brown toiletries.