Even though I’ve lived in London for over ten years, I had never - naturally - woken up next to Buckingham Palace. That all changed last week when I stayed at The Guardsman Hotel & Residences in Westminster, a five-star boutique property featuring 53 rooms and six private residences.
Because it was the peak of a summer heatwave, I brought my puppy along for the ride; we both desperately needed that sweet, sweet hotel air conditioning.
The Copeland is a one-bedroom residence which is 40sqm (pictured).
DesignMyNight's Review Of The Guardsman Hotel & Residencies
Need To Know:
- Address: 1 Vandon Street, SW1H 0AH
- Area: Westminster
Ambience & We Think Perfect For
- Atmosphere: the hotel was playful yet lavish from the onset, with design choices nodding to eras spanning Art Deco to postmodern British luxury. Bright, bold sofas sat alongside more understated pieces, and the staff were warm and welcoming from start to finish. The space had the distinct air of a private members' club, but without the intimidating exclusivity
- Perfect for: professionals in the city, an overnight stay after the theatre (it was within walking distance to Wicked and Hamilton), and sightseeing
Service & Price
- Service: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Value For Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Cost: around £905 per night for an overnight stay in Copeland, including breakfast and VAT
Myself and my puppy enjoying the amenities (pictured).
Room Quality & Comfort
Room: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Because we had the pup, we stayed in Copeland, one of the private
residences on the fifth floor. The layout is a seamless, open-plan
space featuring a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette. A
heavyweight, dark walnut sliding door allows you to section off the
bedroom from the lounge - handy for getting a bit of peace from the
four-legged mad lad.
The design is incredibly sleek, spotless, and modern, complete with parquet flooring and Designers Guild fabrics. That evening, my partner and I made the most of the Christophe Robin amenities, wrapped ourselves in thick cotton bathrobes embroidered with the hotel logo, and melted into a sapphire-blue sofa, ready to Chromecast to our hearts' content.
The marble bathroom (pictured left) and room service breakfast (right).
My Overall Experience At The Guardsman Hotel & Residencies
DesignMyNight Review Out Of 5: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
From the moment we arrived at The Guardsman Hotel & Residencies, we were made to feel incredibly welcome, allowing us to relax completely and treat the Copeland suite as a home away from home rather than just a place to crash. True to their word, the hotel was exceptionally dog-friendly - providing 'wine', treats, and food bowls for my puppy.
Everyone seemed to love having him there, though getting him to leave was a challenge after he befriended the terrier doorstop and tried to take it with him. Room service was prompt, the entire property was spotless, and I will be reminiscing fondly about that heated bathroom flooring for a long time to come.
