Review: The Other House

_Location: In the heart of London’s South Kensington, just a stone’s throw from Gloucester Road tube. Heathrow can be reached by car within an hour.

_{First impressions:} This isn’t a traditional luxury hotel. The concept is private members’ club meets long-stay aparthotel. This is a trendy spot, and the decor is vibrant, fun and bold – think rainforest-inspired wallpapers (with plenty of wildlife), velvet cushions and dramatic lighting, set to a soundtrack compiled by DJ Fat Tony.

An app allows guests to have as much or as little contact with staff, who seem to only communicate through WhatsApp, which meant response times varied significantly. The benefit of the tech was that check-in was swift, as most information had been taken in advance.

_{The facts:} The property, the first from The Other House brand, opened last year to much fanfare. Renovated from 11 Victorian townhouses, it features 237 so-called Club Flats. The aim is to offer guests a home-from-home, with each boasting a kitchenette and a sitting room. Mine featured a mezzanine where the bed was located.

On the food front, daytime cafe The Other Kitchen offers green smoothies, granola, hearty sandwiches and salads. For a light bite in the evening, head to The Owl and Monkey, which also has an impressive list of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.

There’s no main dinner venue, which allows guests to sample options in the surrounding neighbourhood. There’s a vitality pool and extensive wellness options including sound healing, astrology and meditation classes.

_{Ideal for:} Anyone staying in the capital for long periods of time. The long-stay angle is clever and separates The Other House from the crowd.

_Explore: Head out on foot to enjoy west London’s plethora of museums, shopping areas and culinary delights. The Natural History Museum is 10 minutes’ walk away, while the Victoria & Albert Museum is only a couple of minutes further. The Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Gardens are a very pleasant 20-minute amble away from The Other House.

_Wow: The hotel’s sustainability credentials are impressive. From running low-waste kitchens with seasonal, sustainable food to low-carbon architecture and eco-conscious materials, this repurposed and renovated building is a blueprint for a sustainable stay.

_{Book it:} Rates start from £350 a night. Stays of six months or more start at £919 a week including club membership and all bills. Membership to the private members’ club is £1,500 a year with a £350 joining fee.
otherhouse.com