Review of The Other House: A delightful, eclectic resident’s club in London’s South Kensington
Unveiled in 2022, The Other House is a mesmerising member’s club housed in 11 grand Victorian townhouses that will transport you to rainforest-inspired extravagance.
Nestled in the heart of South Kensington in London, this establishment defies the conventional definition of a hotel. It's a destination meticulously crafted to immerse you in the authentic local experience, enveloped in sumptuous velvets, quintessential British tweed, and the soothing embrace of fine wool.
In the Owl and Monkey bar, plush velvet cushions, adorned with jewelled panther heads, invite you to recline in comfort. Gilded parrots perch on lamp stands and animal motifs weave a captivating narrative throughout the public spaces.
Naomi Heaton, CEO and Co-FounderNaomi Heaton, CEO and Co-Founder at The Other House, worked with award-winning, London-based, Bergman Design House to inject an atmosphere of whimsy and English eccentricity, and is committed to sustainability, with residents receiving a large refillable glass water bottle for instance, menus are seasonal, and various items are sourced from verified environmentally friendly suppliers and local artisans.
Elegant retreats: The Club Flats
The Club Flats
The studio-style accommodations, known as Club Flats, emulate urban studios. The colour palette embraces deep greens and petrol blues, and curved sofas in ochre and mustard yellow add a touch of charm. Marble shower rooms and well-appointed kitchens offer respite and convenience, making it feel like home away from home, while the subtle lighting fosters an ambiance that oscillates between the mysterious and the seductive.
Larger groups can book Club Combos, and there is the option to interconnect Club Flats and even have access to a picturesque private courtyard.
The Other House's library: Literary treasures
Adjacent to the lobby, a curated library awaits. Its literary treasures were handpicked by journalist Pandora Sykes, author of The Sunday Times best-selling essay collection, 'How Do We Know We're Doing It Right?’
From the classic Lorna Doone: A Romance of Exmoor by Richard Doddridge Blackmore, to the contemporary prose of Caleb Azumah Nelson, this sanctuary beckons the bibliophiles among us. You can order a drink, sit back with a novel, get some work done or even hold an informal business meeting.
Culinary Delights: The Other Kitchen and Owl & Monkey Bar
Owl & Monkey Bar
Seeking a relaxed yet chic café for a nourishing breakfast or lunch? The all-day streetcafé Other Kitchen (open to the public as well as residents) offers breakfasts replete with green smoothies and granola, served on delightful monkey-motif china by William Edwards. You can opt for Clarence Court eggs on a slice of Flourish craft sourdough toast with smoked salmon or a full English breakfast featuring Huntsham farm sausage and garlic field mushrooms.
When twilight descends, the Owl and the Monkey cocktail bar awakens, serenading the night with a spirited soundtrack and an array of inventive cocktails, accompanied by delightful small plates such as the Artisan Cheese Board with Miller's Damsel crackers and tomato chutney or Padron Peppers with sherry vinegar, chilli and whipped feta. The cocktails are out of this world: Perhaps opt for an Espresso Martini with Ketel One Vodka and tonka beans or ‘Giselle’ with mezcal, champagne, raspberry, coconut and agave cocktail sorbet. The staff, all wearing stylish tropical waistcoats, are friendly and extremely attentive.
A sanctuary of well-being: The Other Space
The Other House was also set up to be a sanctuary of well-being, and offers spiritual and holistic experiences, from sound immersions with crystal singing bowls to astrology and tarot card readings. A vitality pool, sauna, steam room, and a well-equipped gym, as well as yoga sessions, held weekly, will make sure you bring balance to body and soul during your stay in the Big Smoke.
Cultural exploration: Proximity to art museums
For the art aficionados among us, the hotel's proximity to South Kensington's museums adds to its appeal. The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), one of the world's leading art and design museums, houses an extensive collection of over 2.8 million objects, books and archives, and is a 13-minute walk or 5-minute taxi drive away. The Royal Albert Hall is also just a short stroll away so make sure you check their schedule for world-class performances.
The Serpentine Galleries, located in Kensington Gardens, also offer excellent exhibitions, showcasing both established and emerging artists. Just a short tube ride away, you can discover other of London’s artistic gems such as the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, or The Royal Academy of Arts in the heart of Mayfair.
The bottom line: A place where the extraordinary beckons
Other House is a testament to the intersection of luxury and artistry, a place where the ordinary is left behind, and the extraordinary beckons. With plans to extend its presence to Covent Garden, its allure is poised to enchant even greater audiences.
Accommodation prices at The Other House range from £215 per night. Membership fees start at £1950 per annum.
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