And Finding a Special Home in London
Defining Hidden Gems
Is there such a thing as a hidden gem in this day and age? With people traveling more than ever before, despite fluctuating economies and new challenges that arise with flying, nothing seems to be a true discovery. Even if I myself am forever on the hunt.
Recently in London, my sister-in-law Caroline introduced me to a extraordinary hotel, At Sloane, whose dining room she visits often as a local. After a lovely breakfast surrounded by sumptuous interiors and a working fireplace, we were given an impromptu tour by their gracious sales director.
A Victorian townhouse that describes itself as “a perfect blend of discreet British charm with Parisian flair,” discreet it is, as one could travel the edge of London’s Sloane Square and easily walk past it without a second glance, save for the lone, elegant gentleman standing outside, ready to welcome you beyond its doors.
Once inside, one feels as if in the private home of a well-traveled, cinephile couple with the finest of taste. There is no front desk, but a long dining table with coffee table books stacked on top, along with burning candles and fresh-cut roses. Here is check-in, surrounded by genuine antique Roman vases and bookcases filled with glossy, glamorous books on art or fashion or design of every kind. It’s an impressive yet warm entry, designed with aesthetes in mind…
