Discovering The Guardsman: A Boutique Gem in London

After a crazy busy week of business, it’s always lovely to get away and indulge in what makes you happy, whether it be dining out, a little culture, some sightseeing or shopping, or maybe even a little of each.

The Guardsman is perfectly placed in a quiet corner of London, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, Tate Modern and various parks, a brief taxi ride to theatre land and Covent Garden, or an underground ride to central London.

I say a ‘quiet corner’ of London; we slept like babies. We had the windows open and didn’t hear a peep—no rowdy revellers, no police sirens, nothing, just silence all night. Heavenly. This is a very special boutique hotel, with the kind of personal service you don’t find in larger hotels.

Unparalleled Personal Service

We checked in and were greeted by the reception staff as if we were long-lost friends. This is the ambience the hotel exudes; it’s really more like a private members’ club, where the team looks after your every request and requirement, discreetly and efficiently, whether you need a taxi, restaurant booking or simply more coffee in your suite.

Luxurious Suites and Residences

Our suite on the 4th floor (a Guardsman Room) was just gorgeous: spacious and bright, extremely comfortable and chic. Our bed was large and inviting, and the furniture was stylish, featuring soft furnishings in rich, vibrant, relaxing shades. The bathroom was contemporary with black and white marble, a powerful waterfall shower and a huge bath. This suite also has an unusual addition: the bathroom was open to the bedroom, but for privacy, you can close the mirrored door. There are several levels of suites, but all include a flat-screen TV, tea and coffee-making facilities, a walk-in shower and a desk.

The Guardsman is more than a hotel; it can be your home away from home. There are six residences that offer the opportunity for a longer stay. Whether you need one, two or three bedrooms, all are sumptuous, beautifully designed self-contained apartments. You have your own kitchen, a dining area, space to work, state-of-the-art technology, and options such as a private chef, a valet and 24-hour room service. The residences offer the comfort and privacy of your own home with the added convenience and service of a hotel, perfect for those special London visits of more than one night.

Exceptional Dining Experiences

After a couple of hours of catching up on emails, showering, resting and then dressing for dinner, we ventured down to the dining room. We had a table booked for dinner at 8 pm, but were running a little late; we managed 9 pm, but there was no issue with this. The dining room is on the lower ground floor, and it features soft lighting and comfortable seating, classy table settings and, most importantly, warm and friendly staff. The menu changes regularly to take advantage of seasonal produce.

We chose pan-fried east coast cod fillet with garden peas and smoked pancetta, and Camden Hells beer-battered haddock with triple-cooked chips served with crushed peas and tartare sauce for our main courses. Both were steaming hot and delicious. We then chose passion fruit cheesecake with mango compôte and lemon tart with raspberry sorbet. We chose well; both desserts were perfectly fresh and light and cleansed the palate nicely.

Following our incredible night’s sleep, we felt refreshed and ready to tackle some important retail therapy, but first breakfast! We decided not to go too mad; we enjoyed the freshly squeezed orange juice and delicious lattes. We had the eggs Benedict and avocado and poached eggs on sourdough toast—the perfect start to our day.

Final Thoughts

Sadly, we checked out and said our goodbyes and went about our day. The stay at The Guardsman was supremely relaxing and totally stress-free. We enjoyed the suite, the dining, the team and its location; we highly recommend this boutique hotel.

A: 1 Vandon St, London SW1H 0AH
T: 020 7309 9200
W: The Guardsman Hotel
E: Reservations

Written by Debbie Stone, Global Editor for the Luxuria Lifestyle Group