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It’s not often that you get a glimpse inside London’s most exclusive members’ clubs, let alone get a chance to stay in one. The Other House is the latest addition to the capital’s private club scene, offering even more than exclusivity. Here, the benefits of a private members’ club are combined with the convenience and autonomy of having your own apartment.

The Other House CEO and Founder, Naomi Heaton, describes her concept as a “Residents Club with apartment-style accommodation that can operate as a hotel.” And we can tell you, she’s not wrong.

Wildly unique

Life-sized dog statues with gemstone collars guard the entrance to the row of eleven Victorian townhouses that make up The Other House. Inside, the stunning lobby features a grand chandelier with gold leaves, geometric tiles, sleek velvet and leather upholstery, and elegant coffee tables with carelessly scattered books and chic ornaments, instantly creating a casually swanky vibe.

There’s a jungle theme throughout the hotel with sprinkles of wildlife everywhere like mirrored beetles on the wall, animal sculptures and the most spectacular lavatories with golden swan necks for taps.

There are 200 rooms here, all called flats and big enough to stay in for a long time without ever feeling cramped, or for a short trip to feel utterly pampered. The layout is quite unique, thanks to the configuration of the old buildings which makes the stay utterly intriguing. For example, we stayed in a flat with a mezzanine bedroom with access to both the fourth and fifth floors.

Home sweet home

The decorative concept of the living spaces embraces visual simplicity and exceptional materials. Bedrooms are minimalist but cosy, featuring grand curtains and tons of storage space, all decorated in a turquoise and burgundy colour palette with subdued lighting. Bespoke furniture covered with velvet, British tweed, and wool provide an intimate and homely feeling. Bathrooms are all cappuccino-coloured marble, modern and spacious.

All of the flats come with a kitchenettes equipped with a dishwasher, an oven, microwave, and everything else you need to call it a proper apartment. If you are staying for two weeks or more, you will receive a complimentary welcome hamper with a few items for the cupboard and fridge to get you started. Then you can eat from the dining table and relax on the sofa with a glass of wine afterwards.

Stay for as long as you want

The Other House seems to have thought of everything. You can move in right away and stay from a day up to a whole year, with the ability to ‘break’ your residency for up to 4 weeks per year. This is especially convenient for corporate relocations, sabbaticals, home renovations, or simply after a summer-long getaway.

There is a post room for picking up parcels and takeaways as well as laundry facilities. Long-stay residents who come and go get access to storage facilities, and they are allowed to sublet their accommodations if they’re going away for a while so they don’t need to pay when they’re not “at home”.

Each corridor in the building is named after famous local residents of Kensington, giving each guest their own individual street address instead of just a room number. These include Richard Allison, the architect who designed the Science Museum; writer Agatha Christie; and musician Bob Marley. Our segment was dedicated to Evelyn De Morgan, an artist who lived her whole life on Old Street Church in Chelsea.

Dine and unwind

The club has plenty to offer beyond a good night’s sleep. Breakfast at The Other Kitchen is open to the public as well as residents, serving sumptuous breakfasts, brunches, and lunches. Think pink and green smoothies, fresh juices, granola, berry compote, and Egg Royal on fun monkey-motif china by William Edwards.

Those looking for livelier pastures are more than welcome to the decadent Owl and the Monkey cocktail bar which comes alive every evening with upbeat ambient music, great cocktails, and delicious sharing plates. The food and drinks we tried were nothing short of mouthwatering, with Middle Eastern meze and pulled BBQ short-rib beef sliders being the highlight.

Tranquillity awaits

Another perk for hotel guests and club members is the luxury wellness spa offering a sizeable heated indoor vitality pool (rare for central London!) adorned with black tiles and serene ambient lighting and music.

There’s a poolside area with loungers, a steam room and sauna. Down the hall is a gym and group sessions of bodywork such as yoga take place three times a week. For an additional price, you can lie down cocooned between two of the UK’s largest gongs, accompanied by crystal bowls, to experience an hour’s meditation through sound.

Down the rabbit hole

The standout feature of the hotel is undoubtedly the club areas. The Other House offers something different – sexier and more fun than older clubs. Bold flora and fauna patterns in a riotous range of colours dominate the interiors offering a jungle feel and contrasted with dark panelling and black and white tiles. The Keeping Room is an atmospheric lounge with plush low-level seating, underground vaults, and an open fire complete with playing cards, board games, and plenty of reading material.

Hidden at the back is The Den – the perfect place to cosy up with friends and watch your favourite movie on a gigantic screen. Next to the gym and pool lies another lounge inside a conservatory with a large tree focal point and golden flamingos. During the day, natural light fills the two-storey glazed atrium overlooking the vitality pool. As the evening draws in, dusk and an open fire create the perfect piazza-style bar to relax and unwind in.

If you are looking for a stylish hotel in central London, with just the right balance of exclusivity, formality and character, it does not get much better than this.

More information about The Other House Kensington can be found here.

 

Image credits: © The Other House