Step into a discreet red-brick building and prepared to be wowed: introducing One Sloane
Words: Charlotte Pasha
ARE YOU READY? The hottest new hotel opening is here and it’s right on our doorstep. One Sloane, just off Sloane Square, is a collaboration between revered designer François-Joseph Graf – who was cherrypicked by Jean-Louis Costes of Paris’s Hotel Costes fame – and Cadogan.
Described as the “perfect blend of quiet British charm and curated French craftsmanship”, the vibe is old-school Chelsea meets Parisian chic. To that end, the building’s history – it was originally crafted in 1889 by architect Edwin Thomas Hall, who also designed the Liberty store – has been honoured, maintaining the beautiful Victorian facade while totally updating the interior. “The guiding principle is always the same: to respect the original features and enhance them so they can be brought into the 21st century,” says Graf.
No wonder it has taken six years: no detail has been overlooked. The entrance and lobby are intimate and romantic, with dim lighting – wall lights, sconces and chandeliers abound, with more than 700 lamps across the hotel – and incredible geometric mosaic floors and panelled ceilings. Like the playlist and the scent that greet you? Both are the hotel’s signatures and utterly perfect.
The whole hotel is design-led, with Graf’s perfectionism apparent throughout. The colour palette is largely reds, greys and beiges, giving a sense of real luxury. There are nods to the Arts and Crafts movement – think William Morris wallpaper and hand-painted calligraphy – and the hotel is an ode to love, from the black and white pictures of famous couples adorning the walls to the slightly naughty Greek-inspired vases in the lobby.
Rooms are lighter and airier than the lobby and none of the 30 bedrooms and suites are the same, thanks to an extensive collection of fabrics and patterns (there are 19 curtain and 21 carpet designs alone), the playful trompe-l’oeil and every piece of furniture being handpicked.
Function hasn’t been forgotten though – there are supremely comfortable mattresses, blackout blinds, music controls at the flick of a switch by your bed and soundproofed windows, all designed for the perfect night’s sleep. Come morning, the double doored minibar in each room houses a fully stocked coffee station.
The top floor restaurant is bright and inviting, inspired by the original Peacock Room created in 1876 by architect Jeckyll and local artist Whistler. It has low chairs and tables and an unusually intimate layout, with a menu that focuses on simple, unfussy French fare served all day. The bar in the basement, meanwhile, is super sexy: dim lighting, cocktails, banquettes, a resident DJ and little snug areas. It can be accessed through the hotel or via a separate entrance on Holbein Place.
Hugh Seaborn, chief executive of Cadogan, says: “It is a joy to see so much of Chelsea’s exquisite architecture and rich artistic heritage reflected and celebrated throughout One Sloane – creating a truly beautiful and unique hotel which will appeal to both discerning visitors and locals alike. We have been working closely as a team for six years to realise Costes and Graf ’s exquisite vision for their first London property and it is inspiring to see the artisanship involved at every stage. We believe One Sloane will effortlessly and immediately feel part of the neighbourhood, while bringing a fresh new energy to Chelsea.”
The hotel may look like an incredibly high-end members’ club, but it’s really for the community. This is a hotel that is anchored in Chelsea and locals are encouraged to become regulars. It doesn’t want to open with a splash. It’s quieter than that, more word of mouth and locals telling friends. But now you know, do pay a visit.
1 Sloane Gardens
onesloane.co.uk