The Draycott

Entrance
As you ascend the steps and ring the bell of the Draycott, distinguished only by its union flag and brass plate, you can imagine what it would be like to live in such a charming area. Here the key words are stylish, elegant and discrete.

Inside the hotel the first impression visitors have is the sweet scent of the fresh green and red apples piled high by the door. A short flight of stairs and a corridor leads to a reception area at the foot of an elegant stairwell. Against the walls of the corridor is an old padded leather sofa where travellers can rest while all the booking formalities take place at a desk.

The lack of a standard reception area underlines the effect of being in a private house.  The staff, impeccably dressed, enquire about your trip but in such a way that you know immediately you were expected. You are then shown to your room which has your name on the door and music coming from within.  While you are being shown all the features of your room your luggage arrives as if by magic. Welcome to the Draycott Hotel!

The public rooms of the hotel include a Smoking Room to the left of the entrance and a Drawing Room at the end of the entrance corridor. A small Edwardian dining room is found on the ground floor of the third building.

A former dressing room, the Smoking Room is small but full of history. Overlooking the street and decorated in whites and pale creams it sports a selection of portraits, numerous books and Asian ceramics. An oriental chandelier and its own fireplace give the room its cleverly understated feel.

The main public room overlooks Cadogan gardens. The effect of the décor is an airy room with that makes the most of light flowing in through the bow window to soften the white that dominates wallpaper, settees and rugs.  The huge bouquet of flowers, crystal chandelier, Chinese ceramics, large landscape paintings, fireplace and settee with plump cushions all combine to make the room not only inviting with its shabby chic effect but also very soothing as there is no sound except the murmured conversation of others.

In the afternoon complimentary tea is served here, to be replaced by champagne cocktails and then hot chocolate later in the evening. Guests may help themselves to a wide choice of drinks from the honesty bar.

To return the one’s room guests simply follow the corridors that traverse the three buildings. The first floor is reached by stairs while the second and top have a lift as well as stairs.

Rooms
All the Draycott’s rooms are different, whether by colour, furniture or layout and each one has its own distinct ambiance. Some are dark and cosy, some light and bright and some are simply romantic or even slightly exotic.

All however are warmly welcoming from the heavy folds of the fabrics to the solid wood furniture, the fireplace and the deep sofas and armchairs. Colour-wise the rooms are mostly light and bright with blues, salmon pinks and greens. There is nothing garish though, just careful coordination around the main colour.

Even if the furniture is not always in the same style, the hues of the woods all match. Being surrounded by such an eclectic mix it is not hard to imagine you are sharing someone’s treasured possessions rather than the work of a firm of interior designers.

Everywhere you look this impression manifests itself from the framed painting and the objets’ d’art - which may well be valuable, to the designs on the ceiling which must have historical significance. To add to the Edwardian impression the windows are the old sash-type and each room has a potted biography of the celebrity after whom it was named.  

The bathrooms too are typical of the period and although all are different they are mostly spacious.

In the evenings maids turn down the beds and replenish consumables. Room service is available round the clock.

Room types
The hotel has three types of room: single, double (available as standard or deluxe) and suites. Although less spacious, single rooms have been designed specifically to be cosy. Doubles are roomy and comfortable. Suites have a larger floor area but those that have the characteristics of an apartment can seem smaller.

The hotel signature room, the Draycott Suite is a two-bedroom apartment.

All rooms have king-sized double beds or twins and either overlook the quiet street or Cadogan gardens. The rooms on the top floor under the mansard roof and those on the first floor all have high ceilings.

Breakfast
This is served in the room or in the delightfully cosy dining room on the ground floor. Continental and English with a wide choice of pastries, breads, jams, cereals, dairy products and cooked breakfasts.  Beside the tasty products on offer a silver service makes this a special occasion.