The Other House South Kensington – A home away from home

Last week, I had the pleasure of staying at The Other House, which I must state is not a hotel. They are mini-serviced apartments with the general feel of a home away from home. Although it’s not a hotel, they do have a few characteristics of one.

World-Class Facilities

They have a pool, sauna, and state-of-the-art gym with the latest hi-tech equipment such as Peloton, assault air bikes and TRX Pro-46. They also have a wellness area called The Other Space, offering spiritual and holistic treatments, astrology workshops and shamanic healing. Alongside that, they have a cosy library, private meeting rooms, a destination bar and a side-street café serving breakfast and lunch.

Sustainable and Tech-Savvy Service

As The Other House is sustainable and eco-friendly, all of their communication relies on technology, so if you want to talk to someone you can WhatsApp or call the ‘House Jacks’ from your mobile. House Jacks are their version of staff members and are trained to do everything, alluding to the phrase ‘jack of all trades’. Most things you can request from the House Jacks, housekeeping and the use of spa robes, etc. That also means your room is paper and leaflet free, which is excellent for the planet!

Stunning, Homely Design

Bergman, their interior design partner, is incredibly talented, and the whole design of the space is incredible. It doesn’t matter what style you like; there’s a corner for everyone. They have a no-white-wall concept throughout the place to avoid looking clinical; think creams, greys and beiges. I think this adds to it feeling somewhat homely.

You’ll see beautiful artwork surrounding the walls in every area that has either been recycled or reused to give them a new lease of life or bought from auctions or antique stores, giving the place so much character. All of the mirrors and furniture are bought from antique shops too, or thrifted and given a refurbishment.

Out of all the rooms here, I fell in love with the stunning library; it was full of books that had been either recycled, given to or purchased from second-hand shops to keep in line with their sustainability vision. Knowing this made the library feel even more special. Imagine how many books end up in landfills when they don’t need to; buying second-hand books is much better for the environment. If you fancy reading a book, you can enjoy it sitting on the cosy sofas or take it to your room.

Club Flats: Luxurious Long-Stay Apartments

The Club Flat reveal is my favourite part of my staycation. Each Club Flat has a separate address which I thought was a cool concept; they are named after people in the local area as they didn’t want soulless corridors and floor numbers. Actually, the room key uses sustainable recycled wood rather than plastic which I love! As these are Club Flats, the idea is that you can stay here for as long as you like, whether it’s for one night or a year, meaning that all of the kitchens have full amenities. There is good cupboard space for your shopping and at least four plates, cups, glasses, etc. Then there’s a wardrobe, double bed, TV space with sofa and a desk. The rooms feel incredibly cosy and homely; think of a mixture of vibrant colours, British tweed and velvet.

Dining and Bars

They have a beautiful Owl and Monkey bar, which I was told is their interpretation of the guests that stay there; curious as monkeys or wise like owls. They serve small plates such as beef sliders, arancini and miso aubergine. Who knew that aubergine could taste so stunning; it was my favourite dish. They also serve lots of speciality cocktails made by talented mixologists. I was so fascinated that all the ingredients they have at The Other House are sustainable and eco-friendly. So, although you may be ordering a Piña Colada, it will be made using all sustainable products, and they taste great!

The Other Kitchen is where you can have breakfast and lunch; at breakfast, you can enjoy a range of pastries, healthy granola pots and, of course, the classic poached eggs and avocado toast. For lunch, you can enjoy an ever-changing seasonal menu; think soups, salads and sandwiches. I tried one of their vegan tofu breakfast toasties; it was delicious.

Later that day, I got ready and went to work in one of the meeting rooms downstairs; some are open-plan, and some have curtains if you want more privacy. I was completely free from distractions all afternoon, and to my delight, I got so much work done that I thought I’d treat myself to some relaxation time by the pool. I enjoyed my book snug in my robe whilst I was listening to soothing spa music; it was so relaxing.

I enjoyed staying here because it was right in the centre of everything you could need. It’s a short three-minute walk to the tube station, steps away from supermarkets and stores, and if you fancy going for a nice lunch or dinner, you’re spoiled for options.