The Capital Townhouse Knightsbridge luxury hotel near Harrods

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Capital Townhouse luxury boutique hotel in London was first published in 2016 and so some of the details might now be out of date]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.