.png)
Fancy a sophisticated city break close to an upscale and renowned shopping district but you’re not quite ready to compromise on the incomparable luxury of being in a more private, green, and peaceful environment? The Franklin London may be just the destination for you. CSP Times contributor Daniella Wu checks in to see what the hype is all about.
Situated within the beautiful and tranquil Egerton Gardens in a stunning traditional Victorian townhouse building, just a stone’s throw away from iconic cultural landmarks and institutions such as the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Natural History Museum and the famous high-end retail district of Knightsbridge, The Franklin Hotel promises to be an ultimate luxury boutique hotel experience that provides the very best of what London has to offer.
Choose from one of their 35 spacious rooms designed by Anouska Hempel with timeless sophistication and glamour at the forefront of the hotel’s interior concept, dine in the intimate Michelin-starred Franklin Restaurant by Alfredo Russo which serves up first-class gastronomic gourmet Italian cuisine, and don’t forget to treat yourself to one of the sublime cocktails that the mixologists whip up for guests and visitors in the gorgeous Gatsby-style Franklin Bar where you'll be taken back to the glamorous and sexy evenings of the roaring 20s.
There is a feeling of being transported into another world altogether from the moment you step through the doors into the hotel's gorgeous glossy black designer lobby which embodies the sort of classical Venetian and 20’s inspired glamour and elegance that remains unanimously enchanting to us all no matter the year. At The Franklin, the design concept flows seamlessly throughout the various rooms and areas of this stunning boutique hotel. You’ll be pleased to learn that despite the grandiosity of its townhouse exterior and the opulence of its interior, the warmth and personability of the staff at The Franklin are second to none, making their guests feel immediately settled and welcomed into their home away from home. There is no traditional ‘front desk’, rather a simple round table where you sit down with a front-of-house staff member and enjoy a coffee, tea, or water whilst you comfortably check-in in a relaxed ambiance.
The Franklin Garden Suite
Time stands still in the breathtakingly elegant suite at The Franklin, fitted with magnificent floor-to-ceiling windows which look out onto the idyllic greenspace of Egerton Gardens. I entered the room in the late afternoon and the sheer amount of natural light that poured into the room bathed the black, grey, and white tones of the room in a mesmerising warm glow. Boundless space, serenity, and timelessness combined with the suite’s sophisticated colour scheme set against simple yet undeniably elegant décor and the high ceilings working in tandem with the full windows and the exquisite full-sized Palladian mirrors behind the bed reflecting the lush space from outside.
One cannot help but be utterly and completely charmed by this jewel of a room and feel right at ease slipping into a complimentary fluffy bathrobe, popping the kettle on to brew a tea, and making yourself at home. With the large contemporary four-poster bed in the centre of this suite and thick full-length curtains framing the windows, the room’s design and layout once more perfectly encapsulate The Franklin’s concept of bringing magical Venetian splendour and sophistication into contemporary style. Another interesting feature of this room was the grey stencils of a name and date “Joseph Herrmann 1907” and of course being the endlessly curious person that I am, I went online digging around for who this figure might be, and needless to say, I was not disappointed by my findings! Apparently, Joseph Herrmann was a clergyman who shared a personal and secret relationship with Lord Egerton after whom the street and gardens are named. We enjoyed the aromatic Penhaligon’s bathroom amenities in the luxurious marble bathroom fitted with a bathtub and shower then spent the evening watching television on the smart TV from the comfort of our sumptuous king-sized bed.
Breakfast at The Franklin Restaurant
Though we didn’t get the chance to enjoy the full a-la-carte dining experience at The Franklin Restaurant by Alfredo Russo due to the timing of our visit coinciding with some social restrictions, we did, fortunately, have the opportunity to start our morning the next day with a beautiful breakfast spread. We ordered the Full English Breakfast along with two cappuccinos.
While we waited, I took the time to admire and appreciate more of Anouska Hempel’s interior design for the restaurant, and what a remarkable space it is. Continuing with the hotel’s Italian design influence, the timeless moody Venetian glamour is arguably most prominent here in The Franklin’s Restaurant where grey velvet upholstery blends in seamlessly with the dark walls and against stunning monochromatic marble flooring. The large full-length windows bordered by baroque ikat fabric panels exude old-world glam and allure and with the reflection of the mirrors on the opposite wall, portrayed an undeniable lavish intimacy to this dining space – classic and sexy. Not to mention the supply of a gorgeous unobstructed view peering once again into the lovely surrounding gardens.
The large full-length windows bordered by baroque ikat fabric panels exude old-world glam and allure and with the reflection of the mirrors on the opposite wall, portrayed an undeniable lavish intimacy to this dining space – classic and sexy.
Our breakfast came along with a varied selection of homemade pastries, biscuits, tarts, bread, and a selection of cold cuts, cheese, and smoked salmon, all displayed in a delightful three-tiered tray, just like the ones we all love to see for a traditional afternoon tea. We also enjoyed two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice.
The Full English Breakfast was a resplendent affair with mouthwateringly fluffy scrambled eggs, piping hot delicious bacon rashers, juicy and flavourful sausages, and savoury sautéed mushrooms. Can you tell we’re a bit obsessed with a proper English Breakfast and can you blame us? The pastries were lovely and fresh, particularly those flaky buttery croissants, and the little baked treats were so special and altogether our indulgent breakfast had us satisfied, energised, and raring to start our day.
From couples hoping to share a truly special and intimate meal to solo guests wishing to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast in peace with the morning light beaming through on to your paper of choice, the Franklin Hotel establishes itself as a wonderful boutique destination for guests who want to be dazzled and enchanted but crave the warmth of a home away from home experience. While stylish and opulent 5-star hotels are bountiful in a cosmopolitan and cultural city such as London, ones that can maintain an impressive standard of personalised and boutique hospitality and service are much rarer. The Franklin London sets itself apart as a world-class establishment by excelling on all fronts, a testament perhaps to the already stellar reputation upheld by the ‘Starhotels Collezione’ around the world. In addition to sporting a lavish restaurant and bar, The Franklin also offers a fitness center for their guests, a quaint and cosy library, and an impressive hammam for those looking for ways to exercise or unwind in style.
The Franklin London – Starhotels Collezione, 24 Egerton Gardens, London SW3 2DB, United Kingdom, +44 20 7584 5533
Book your stay at The Franklin London – Starhotels Collezione
Kommentare