A members club isn’t always just for members and with holidays abroad looking uncertain, it was time for me to capitalise on the opportunity of experiencing the wonders available on my very own door step… London!
Photo courtesy of Jodi Hinds
Location
London has never looked more appropriate when considering a staycation in the UK. This exclusive private members club is settled right in the heart of Marylebone. Being based conveniently close by to lots of London’s famous landmarks, capturing none-disturbed photos come as an extra bonus on this trip.
Home House
The great thing about Home House is that the bedrooms for overnight stays are open to the public so you have a glimpse into what membership would be. It is not a frequent occurrence where you get a glance life inside one of London’s most exclusive members clubs and with doors leading off every corridor that would usually have been locked back in the 1700s, it’s time to begin my experience discovering the secrets to this mysterious maze of magnificence.
Home House was built by Robert Adam who was one of the most celebrated architects of his day. The Home House project is acknowledged as Robert Adams’ finest surviving London town house. Mixing 18th century neoclassical splendour with 21st century fun, Home House has created a unique experience in Portman Square over three Georgian Houses; No.19, No. 20 and No. 21. The three houses all have rich personalities and we noticed a crocodile everywhere. This croc is called Cedric, the much-loved mascot of Home House. Cedric is a crocodile with a cane and a crown and appears throughout Home House from the champagne glasses to the slippers in our room.
First impressions
So, here I am at the entrance to this rich architectural heritage – The large heavy front door positioned between two pillars supporting an entablature. Instinctively I enter and step straight back into the history of this exceptional town house, where time itself seemed to come to a halt. Now standing at the other side of the door, I find myself inside the grand reception room instantly surrounded by opulence. The character and wealth of this 18th century house continues throughout but with a modern, cool ethos with a relaxed dress code and a very warm welcome to non members and even four legged friends.
House 20
Starting on the first floor, I follow my accommodating host as we weave our way through this well-aged maze. Walking across the stone and marble floor my footsteps begin to echo and promptly right in front of my eyes, lies a rather famous and often photographed symmetrical double curved staircase. Revealing the sky, there is a glass dome that seems to have conquered its way to the entire top of this spectacular hall. Passing through a small secret door I reach another staircase, but this time it is wide and laid with thick bouncy carpet that instead silently cushions each step. As I reach the second floor my head and eyes finally resume back to their centred position, from worshipping the adornments and furnishings on the way up.
Our Feature Room – Drury Lowe
A moment of rattling and a few clicks later, the door to Drury Lowe is unlocked. The hinges of the door begin to split and the grandiose door slowly begins to open.
Directly in front of me is a monumental maple wood four poster bed, draping in royal gold and red fabrics. I already know that it’s time to kiss goodbye to those sleepless nights. A stunning range of dark furnishings sit in every corner of the room bringing a true sense of luxury. Deluxe red flock damask wallpaper lines the walls with intricate and elaborate designed cornice, crowning the top interior elegantly.
A door sits in the corner of the room and inside is a big bathroom tucked away under the staircase of house 19. This room is utterly unique offering cosy seclusion and it’s own tantalising Dickensian story. Home house has twenty three bedrooms spread spaciously across three stunning Georgian town houses at nineteen, twenty and twenty one Portman Square. Drury Lowe is one of the feature rooms provided that truly does flaunt the marks of an eccentric tale, reflecting the houses’ infamous decadence. This is a room befitting of a members club but importantly, it has loads of character and personality just like everything else at Home House.
Time for Tea
Its 3pm as I head to the drawing rooms for traditional afternoon cream tea. From top to bottom I soak up my view of the most sumptuous neoclassical interiors of its time. Coincidently, the walls and ceiling composed in shades of tea green, clustered in equal measure with gold prints across the rooms stately boarders. Large double hung windows welcoming through the natural daylight. Unlike a typical dining room that you will commonly find in a restaurant, there are no hard uncomfortable chairs and tables to be seen. Instead, an array of classic and cosy sofas with gently rounded shapes, making any choice of seat inviting, snug and perfect for sinking into. I’m relieved to experience the home from home feeling I was searching for on my visit here.
Delicious, warm, mouth-watering scones with clotted cream and preserve, accompanied by a pot of Chelsea Breakfast – this comes as the most necessary indulgence at this awe-inspiring residence.
The Restaurant
There is something so romantic about the restaurant at Home House. Hamid the Restaurant Manager greets us warmly and we discover he has been there over 20 years, along with many of the staff at Home House. We grab a corner table overlooking Portman Square and the atmosphere is so romantic and elegant.
The food is British inspired and very tempting. We start with some Poole rock oysters and some Wye Valley asparagus sitting alongside a delightfully crispy hen’s egg with truffle dressing. For my main, I sample a proper homely beer battered haddock and triple cooked chips of course.
Other members club things to do
We only experienced a night but want to go back with my friend who is a member to experience the other bars, House 21 and the late night experience in The Vaults. One thing I did use was the huge fitness facility. A gym and health spa with a Peloton bike, cardiovascular, strength, Pilates and conditioning equipment. This was followed by a sauna and steam to work up an appetite for breakfast.
Breakfast
After a royal nights sleep I head to the garden for breakfast al fresco. A vibrant oasis awaits and the surroundings in the garden are relaxing, warm and welcoming. A door which connects the garden to the house is dressed with the most fabulous floral installation. I thought that there was no better opportunity to opt for a Full English breakfast, to maintain this best of British adventure.
A members club that feels like home
Home House has an exceptional range of facilities of an unsurpassed quality. This house is a truly glamourous backdrop for any occasion and is London’s best-kept secret.
To discover more, visit: homehouse.co.uk
Imagery courtesy of Home House.
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