Nestled next to Sloane Square, At Sloane – our latest Walpole member – is bringing the seductive magnetism of the French capital to Chelsea a new hotel. Inside, music seeps into every hidden corner of the building and a sensual signature fragrance dances in the air. Intimate and warm, this is a pied à terre for a new, quiet luxury generation of traveller – and it's just opened its doors to guests.
Comprising just 30 ultra-exclusive rooms, the hotel has been inspired by the format and feel of a traditional English guesthouse, with privacy, cosiness and a relaxed atmosphere prioritised. Perhaps the most notable example of this is upon your entry into the building itself. Unlike many other hotels, there is no lobby with a check-in desk and shirt-and-tied staff. Instead, you are greeted by an intimate reception room, bathed in candlelight and soft lighting, with tall bookcases lining the walls and a central dining table surrounded by chairs, nearly groaning under the weight of cool art tomes. Welcome staff, dressed in relaxed tailored separates, mill about this space helping guests as and when they need. It speaks to a new breed of luxury customer – one that desires an informal, home-from-home vibe from their hotel, while still having access to the finest facilities.
However, it's more than that, it's also got personality – and a deeply, distinctly English one at that. Created in partnership with the Cadogan Estate, At Sloane is housed inside a distinctive nineteenth century, red brick former mansion block. Constructed in 1889 and designed by Edwin Thomas Hall (1851–1923) – the British architect who is most famous for designing the striking Tudor-revival Liberty London department store in the West End – the historic façade has been retained whilst the interior was completely remodelled, and an additional sixth floor with its own cupola added. The project has been masterminded, both outside and in – by architect-designer Francois-Joseph Graf.
"The first testimony to the luxury at At Sloane is the notable difference in design and execution compared to its five-star counterparts," says Graf of his work and how it speaks to a new generation of luxury customer. "The natural logic of the floorplans, the particular attention to soundproofing and the upmost care for the comfort of guests – great attention had been paid to the smallest details. The soft and warm light conveys the image of being received into a sumptuous private house, representing a new level of luxury hospitality."
Immersed in French luxury throughout his career, Graf's approach to the project has been to infuse the hotel with English sophistication while collaborating with the finest craftspeople in France. Dozens of artisans and craftspeople collaborated to bring Graf's vision to life, including the creation of no fewer than 21 carpet designs, 19 curtain designs and 50 custom made fabrics, next to exquisite objets d’art ensure that each room assumes its own style. The result is a style that brings a sexy, French swagger to this most storied of English neighbourhoods.
"Historically, France and England have been allies since 1815. English culture at the French courts, dating back to the reign of Louis XV, has always been very fashionable and Anglo-mania in the 19th century will always be an integral part of French culture," says Graf on his inspiration behind the interior design scheme. "Within At Sloane, I gave precedence to English culture having been invited to London, perhaps with a French way of doing things: axes, symmetries and doors opening to the rooms."
Entering through the grand front door into the neo-Greek lobby – intricately patterned tiles underfoot and a roaring fire to the right – guests will be immediately struck by the Arts and Crafts influence at play in the interior decoration. This movement, beloved by the building's original creator, Hall, has a longtime connection to Chelsea. Graf wanted to pay homage to this.
"I really like London, I adore English architecture and in particular that from the Victorian period," says Graf. "The address delighted me. Collaborating with the Cadogan Estate was a wonderful gamble and one I am completely thrilled with."
Of course, William Morris wallpaper and mirrors adorn the stair walls. In the rooms, an Anglo-Asian aesthetic is achieved through cream English panelling on the walls and ceilings contrasting and complementing the Japonisme styled desks. Original pieces of antique furniture have been restored, sometimes replicated, with a nod to Godwin and Mackintosh. Stained-glass windows by Ateliers Loire Chartres offer a characteristically British level of intimacy, but walk-in wardrobes cheekily named the ‘Mistress Door’, ‘Love’ and ‘Music’ switch controls, and black and white photography celebrating love and personalities connected to the area take a more playful tone. Much like the Victorians themselves, the hotel enticingly contradicts its refinement with sensuality.
"It is never easy to transform a quiet private house into a roaring hotel," says Graf. "To do this, we razed the entire interior, but not before taking measurements of all the moldings and staff ornaments from the old house which were to be reused. An additional floor was built, to house a top-floor restaurant. We have done absolutely everything to preserve the property’s layout and proportions ensuring we retain the quiet and comfortable charm of an English house."
Beyond the bedrooms, At Sloane features two new gathering spaces for both resident and non-resident guests. Housed on the new top floor, At Sloane’s spectacular light filled restaurant was inspired by the ‘Peacock Room’ created in 1876 for Frédéric Richards Leyland’s house in Kensington by Thomas Jeckyll and local artist Whistler (the original was later relocated to the Smithsonian Gallery). The restaurant comprises a series of small dining rooms that open out onto a roof terrace with London skyline vistas, while the restaurant’s elegant cupola offers an octagonal space with expansive views across Chelsea. Natural light floods through the stained-glass windows and antique mirrors, and wooden shelves displaying Chinese vases add an air of grandeur. Epicureans can enjoy a menu that offers the best Parisian dishes at the hour of any patron's choosing, thanks to the restaurant’s all-day dining.
On the lower ground floor, the downstairs lounge beckons pleasure-seekers in the late hours of the night. Accessed either through the hotel or via a dedicated private staircase on Holbein Place, this speakeasy bar is an intimate location to enjoy cocktails and Champagne under candlelight while enjoying the smooth sounds of At Sloane’s resident DJ. Because quiet luxury doesn't have to be quiet 24/7.
See more photos from inside At Sloane in our gallery below
> At Sloane is now open at 1 Sloane Gardens, London SW1W 8EA. atsloane.co.uk
Photography by Will Pryce
