Located in the main harbour area of a former industrial district, the Chelsea Harbour Hotel & Spa is a tranquil, yet modern escape from the bustle of the city. With a scenic vista, the establishment overlooks the peaceful and pastoral Thames and views of myriad yachts and vessels docked at the harbour. One can also see iconic structures such as the Shard in the distance, and a brilliant skyline that illuminates in all its London glory, by nightfall. The interior of the hotel is dotted with sophisticated fittings featuring dark woods and metals, and plush furniture, lending to its contemporary, but moody ambience. There is also an excellent display of diverse art featuring artists from around the world, giving the hotel a colourful, animated and cultural setting too.
Recently, my family and I spent two nights at the hotel, a luxurious staycation that was a peaceful getaway from the hubbub of the everyday. In the 158 suites-only establishment, the rooms are spacious like very few others in Greater London. We stayed at the Kings Penthouse Suite – an expansive home away from home. The living and dining areas are perfect to cosy-up for much-needed family time, and the option to retire to your respective privacy is also facilitated by two separate bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms. The crowning jewel of the hotel, this suite also houses a sauna, making it truly fit for royalty.
Nevertheless, the Chelsea Harbour Hotel & Spa also features a spa, which could be its main attraction. It is an inviting and ambient space of tranquillity for guests to unwind with a wide range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments to choose from, featuring products from the prestigious French skincare brand – Caudalie. The spa features four separate treatment rooms, including one for couples, for pampering guests with its holistic treatments and therapy. For those who prefer to break a sweat on vacation, there is a state-of-the art fitness centre with modern equipment. But I would say the most important and my personal favourite feature of the fitness and recreation facilities is the 17-metre long pool, perfect for all water-babies who love their laps or their pool-fun.
The hotel is also home to the Harbour Bar & Terrace and the Chelsea Riverside Brasserie. The former offers an impressive all-day menu ranging from salads and pizzas to steaks and grills. The latter is the hotel’s more refined and elegant dining destination which specialises in a fusion of British and Italian cuisines. One can also pair their meals with the many notable wine and champagne labels available, including vintage makes. Al-fresco dining means that you are once again privy to the breathtaking view of the harbour – a perfect setting for a romantic dinner or Sunday brunch. You can also take your afternoon tea at the Brasserie with a remarkable list of brews and blends, finger sandwiches, pastries and scones. For longer staying guests who are looking for variation, the hotel’s location allows one to venture out and explore the multitude of restaurants and eateries in the vicinity, as we did on one of our evenings.
All in all, breath-taking views of the marina and the outstanding spa and fitness centre make The Chelsea Harbour & Spa the perfect destination for all city dwellers looking for an escape from the everyday mundane and stresses, but cannot get too far for too long, especially in these rather distressing times. An all-suite establishment means that there is enough room for everyone to enjoy quality time together or find their nook to be by themselves and enjoy their privacy. For travellers, the area offers great connectivity through the Imperial Wharf Station and the Thames Clipper boat to Central London from the Chelsea Harbour Pier. The establishment has also put together a number of offers and packages available on their website for all kinds of guests seeking relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether you are looking for a weekend to be pampered alone, a romantic getaway with the background of stunning views or spending quality time with your family, there is something here for everyone. Unwind, relax and enjoy the calmness of the Chelsea Harbour Hotel & Spa to feel restored and reenergized.
Also at times we all have long work days, where you don’t have a traditional 9 to 5 job and don’t know if you would get time to go back home and change or if you are doing late night and then want to grab a drink post work with your friends then you need to be ready for the after party. Also, it not just about your work timings, but a lot of people live away from central London and travel to work and the busy metro life can suck the energy out of you. So make sure your social life doesn’t go down the drain because you don’t feel dressed up for the occasion.
Generally, to tackle the fast pacing city life and avoid traffic I tend to follow a few hacks when I have a plan post work and can’t go back home to change. I generally prefer carrying a big bag like a tote to work where I can haul up all that I need to go through the day. It’s pretty spacious and you can carry a lot of things with you on the go. I carry my makeup, a small coverup, iPad, as well as flats as a change when I plan to walk miles around or get tired of wearing my heels. You can also carry a fancy top to wear on top of your trousers or a simple dress. If you don’t want to carry extra outfits you can carry some accessories to jazz up your outfit like chunky bracelets or a statement necklace.
I paired the bag with an off-shoulder blue dress with ruffled sleeves by Bardot, from Top Shop. Off-shoulders are in this season plus you can take them from day wear to night wear with simple accessories like a necklace or footwear and a cover up. I teamed up the dress with black peep-toe sandals from French Connection and a black choker. I kept my accessories to a minimum by wearing a watch since flashy jewellery isn’t appropriate for work. But for an evening look, you can always add some accessories like rings, necklace and bracelet.