It is just seconds from the shopping and traffic maelstrom which is Knightsbridge, but The Capital Townhouse hotel Knightsbridge boutique hotel in central London is the very essence of calm and tranquility. If you are looking for a place where the party continues until the small hours, then this small, smart, townhouse hotel close to Harrods is not for you; but if you want to retreat from the world in a little bubble of your own, then The Capital Townhouse is ideal.
My smart and spacious bedroom, a junior suite
[Note: this review of The Capital Townhouse luxury boutique hotel in London was first published in 2016 and so some of the details might now be out of date]
With just 12 bedrooms, a tiny reception and a surprisingly modern-looking bistro restaurant downstairs, the formerly family-owned Capital Townhouse doesn’t have a spa, swimming pool, separate bar or fine dining restaurant which other London hotels might.
The Levin’s blue and calming reception
A quiet hotel in the heart of London’s Knightsbridge shopping district
What it does have is peace and quiet and the air of a cosy retreat from the world. If you want fine-dining or a lively bar then just next door is its sister hotel, The Capital [reviewed by ALadyofLeisure.com here], which has The Restaurant at The Capital and its well-stocked cocktail bar.
Every room as well as the lobby has a stack of classic novels to read
However if you want to curl up with a good book then The Capital Townhouse luxury boutique hotel is your place both literally and literary – there are classic novels everywhere, from Austen to Zola, in every room and in the lobby downstairs.
There is an ancient but still working lift with a metal grille which will transport you to your room, but you’ll miss out on the impressive fibre-optic chandelier which cascades though the floors.
The light-fitting by Sarah Marsden cascaded through the floors
Bedrooms at The Capital Townhouse hotel
My room, a junior suite, was spotless and roomy, and came with a kingsize bed, separate sofa area, minibar, Nespresso coffee machine and of course, dozens of books. There was even a little hallway with fitted cupboards and the bathroom was on the other side, with an inflatable bath pillow and Temple Spa toiletries.
My room came with a coffee machine, water, books and a minibar
The fun and lively Metro bar downstairs at The Capital Townhouse
I did venture downstairs to the basement to the Metro bistro for a cocktail and to check out the menu which was surprisingly down to earth, offering shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, veggie curry and BLT sandwiches.
The surprisingly colourful and modern Metro bistro downstairs
Having had a late lunch I was content with a basic chicken Caesar salad and retreated upstairs to watch television – bizarrely there wasn’t an ITV until I retuned the entire TV – and have a relaxing bath. There were plenty of fluffy towels, white towelling robes, slippers and a Bose stereo to listen to while I drifted off.
My very smart bathroom
Breakfast the next morning was quick, efficient and friendly, with an off-menu order of crispy bacon, scrambled eggs and avocado being rustled up in no time and a good buffet selection too.
Breakfast buffet at the Metro restaurant in the hotel basement
I was told that The Capital Townhouse has a high repeat guest rate and I could see why. If you are a frequent traveller and just want a home from home where check-in takes seconds and staff will remember your name then The Capital Townhouse provides exactly that. As a hotel perfect for shopping in London it ticks all the boxes location-wise and if you’re planning on doing all your Christmas shopping at Knightsbridge then The Capital Townhouse is no more than a few steps from Harrods department store.
The world-famous Harrods department store is just a few metres away
Hotel information and to book The Capital Townhouse hotel
The Capital Townshouse, Basil Street, London SW3 1AS
+44 20 7589 6286
Rooms available from £234 a night
Book The Capital Townhouse on Booking.com
Visit The Capital Townhouse on Tripadvisor
Looking for a hotel in central London? Then check out these London hotel reviews: Discovering hidden treasures at The Stafford hotel, central London; A relaxing luxury spa break at The Corinthia hotel, London; Rooftop cocktails and a spa make The Montcalm Royal London House a top-to-toe destination; A penthouse stay at nhow, Shoreditch; A central London stay at Mayfair Townhouse, Piccadilly; Montcalm Royal London, Moorgate; The Royal Horseguards hotel near Trafalgar Square; Bloomsbury hotel, Bloomsbury; Point A hotel, Kings Cross; One Aldwych, the Strand; St James’s hotel and club. St James’s; The Marylebone, Marylebone; The Kensington, South Kensington; A Sherlock-worthy stay at Holmes hotel on Baker Street; Mayfair Townhouse off London’s Piccadilly; A luxurious five-stay at at The Stafford, Mayfair; Disco lights and a budget stay at Point A, Kings Cross
