The 35 generous rooms and suites in the hotel are scattered over three original Victorian homes, and the steep staircases and hidden nooks all contribute to its cosy charm. There’s also a strong theatre theme running through the hotel, with rooms named after famous actors who treaded the boards in the West End. Unlike many big-city hotels the rooms are also substantial and spacious, with Victorian antiques and plenty of comforting touches like books to read, a well stocked mini bar, and even a teddy bear on your bed after turndown (which can be bought at reception).

Bathrooms tick all the boxes, and the sought-after Penhaligon’s products make for a lovely touch — and again you can stock up on more ample sized products at the hotel reception. Luckily amidst all this old-world comfort, there’s still modern technology at your fingertips: WiFi, aircon, satellite TV, DVDs and CDs.

The rest of the hotel beckons with wonderful shared spaces — the difficult task is choosing where to relax first: the drawing room, the plush lounge with oversized couches, and large pillows and beautiful fresh flowers, or the secret garden beyond…

Luckily the Draycott provides more than ample reason to enjoy and make the most of the communal spaces: their complimentary drinks and snacks will have you planning your sightseeing around them! Tea and biscuits is enjoyed at 4pm, so have a soothing cuppa in the drawing room decorated with theatre memorabilia. Then at 6pm there’s Champagne: an ideal way to enjoy a glass of good bubbly is to sneak down the steep staircase into the enclosed garden behind the building.

Shared by the terraced houses around the square, this private garden is a true gem, with moms and toddlers, gents smoking a quiet cigar on a bench and people lying idly under a tree and reading. It’s almost too good to be true to experience such a genteel slice of English life — something that is only available to a privileged few.

Then after a night out in trendy Chelsea, pop back to the lounge, sink into a generous sofa and drink some soothing hot chocolate before retiring to your room. And if that’s not enough to fill your belly, there’s also 24 hour room service.

It is evident that there are many return guests, as this home-from-home draws people in to feel comfortable and, well, at home. There’s no obvious reception area as you enter, merely a room and a desk to the side of the entrance passage — a gentle reminder that you are actually a hotel guest.

Location-wise, the Draycott is ideally set to explore everything Chelsea has to offer: a two-minute walk brings you to the crossroads of King’s Road and Sloane Street. The former filled with all the high street shops, great pubs, bars and restaurants and cinemas.

Meanwhile Sloane Street beckons with top designers aplenty that would set any fashionista’s heart aflutter. And it’s only 10 minutes’ walk from iconic British stores Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Just remember to get back to the Draycott, shopping in hand, to sit back and enjoy a cup of tea before heading out for another night on the town. Bliss.

The Draycott is part of the Mantis Collection of five-star hotels and game reserves in Europe and Southern Africa. Discover more on www.mantiscollection.com or www.draycotthotel.com.

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