Reviewed: The Rockwell hotel, London

The Rockwell hotel

The Rockwell hotel

Walking down Cromwell Road, in London’s frenetic Earl’s Court area, it soon becomes apparent that hotels are ten-a-penny in this part of town. Placards and flags line the well-trodden street offering a bed for the night to weary travellers and unsuspecting tourists. However, amid the many decidedly average hotels found along the stretch, The Rockwell is something of a swish gem whose subtle entrance could be easily overlooked in favour of a one of the more gaudy frontages.

Before entering through the rather hefty wooden door I began to feel a sense of trepidation that this would be just another bed sheet stained failure along this stretch of tourist-trap hotels.

Thankfully, as soon as the mammoth piece of door ware came to a creaking halt behind me, any sign of traffic noise and taxi horns was eliminated in favour of a stylish, tranquil lobby, which immediately quelled any fears about this being a run-of-the-mill hotel.

The Rockwell hotel
The Rockwell hotel

Beautiful Victorian floor tiles, high ceilings and a perfectly-chosen colour palate perfectly unified the grandeur of a stunning London residence with the essence of a stylish boutique hotel. Staff were friendly and attentive to a perfect degree – offering all of the assistance required yet not intrusive – perhaps why The Rockwell has attracted a celebrity clientele including Jade Jagger, Armani and Jasmine Guinness.

Each of the hotel’s 40 rooms has been individually designed to give everyone a unique feel - combining traditional English shades with contemporary styling. The Rockwell does offer duplex suites and garden rooms with their own private patios; however, I was in a standard double – which was more than adequate for my stay.

The Rockwell hotel lounge
The Rockwell hotel

The room was flooded with light and overlooked the tranquil garden below, with huge sash windows, a neutral décor of egg-shell blue, cream and white and an invitingly large and comfy bed. Although the hotel is situated on a busy road in a central London location, the room offered a surprisingly quiet retreat, with an open window only giving way to faint bird song and local residents pottering about in the adjacent gardens.

Luxurious White Company products lined the simple and modern bathroom, whilst a large flat screen TV and well-stocked mini-bar nearly had me refusing to explore the hotel’s surrounds. However, the lure of shopping in nearby Knightsbridge soon persuaded me otherwise.

One downside though is the lack of tea and coffee making facilities in the room – a real bug bear of mine and a minor touch that I feel makes all the difference when staying at a hotel. The Rockwell does make up for this in part with afternoon tea and breakfast being served in the pretty dining room downstairs or the courtyard garden.

The Rockwell hotel garden
The Rockwell hotel

One of the main draws of The Rockwell is its location. Knightsbridge, with world-famous Harrods and a plethora of other designer and high street brands, is a short bus hop away as are a cluster of museums, parks and restaurants.

All in all the Victorian grandeur and contemporary feel of The Rockwell place it head and shoulders above the other townhouse hotels in the area and the outstanding service is just the icing on a rather sumptuous cake.

The Rockwell Hotel
181 Cromwell Road
London SW5 0SF
Tel: (020) 7244 2000.
www.therockwell.com
Prices for a standard double room start from £160 per night (two sharing), including breakfast.