The background

Chinnery House is the self-catered arm of Your Place – an independent UK boutique accommodation collection, which includes Georgian House Hotel. Built by William Chinnery Mitchell and Thomas Cubitt in 1851, Georgian House is a lavish warren of beautifully decorated corridors leading to exemplary rooms and cosy communal spaces.

And a short walk from the hotel that started it all, another townhouse stands. Divided into self-catering apartments for those who like to live more like a local, Chinnery House is an aesthetically pleasing extension to the hotel that comes with the benefits of the hotel concierge but with the freedom to feel at home from home.

The space

I stayed in Chinnery House’s basement apartment – a cosy, one-bedroom, period apartment with an intensely comfortable queen bed, an Instagrammable living area with two plush green velvet sofas (one of which opens out to a bed for extra guests), a kitchen and dining area, and the cutest French doors leading from the living area or the kitchen onto a courtyard garden.

Said garden is overlooked by the towering townhouses around it, which not only integrates you further into the illusion of living like a local (packed-in city living, anyone?) but I am reassured – via the comprehensive guest information booklet – that ‘our neighbours are lovely – the best!’ Great news if you fancy having a natter over the fence (it was raining when I stayed so despite my gallant attempts to bond with the neighbours, they all stayed dry indoors. Very sensible).

If, like me, you travel frequently, you’ll likely be delighted by the prospect of gorgeous bathroom toiletries in hotels, and Chinnery House did not disappoint. I headed for dinner in Belgravia with the scent of Urban Apothecary’s Oudh Geranium emanating from my freshly washed hair and could not have been happier. The giant walk-in shower only added to the experience. I almost didn’t leave the apartment, it was so cosy.

The food

The “self-catering” part of this stay really negates the need to explain what the food was like because it really is up to you. The Georgian House Hotel has the Pimlico Pantry offering afternoon teas, breakfasts and delicious light bites, which I got to enjoy from my apartment round the corner as I was delivered a hamper of breakfast goodies (pre-ordered on arrival) in the morning. A quick fry-up of bacon and eggs, washed down with some freshly squeezed orange juice later, and I was ready to explore the city some more (after I’d done the washing up, of course).

The service

Chinnery House guests have to collect their keys from Georgian House before heading over to the apartments in a nearby street. I was greeted by the friendliest staff, who then escorted me so I didn’t have to navigate my way there with my head in Google Maps, wondering if I was walking in the right direction.

Once I arrived, I was left to my own devices, which – to me – is the ultimate in luxury service. The next I saw of anyone was with the delivery of my breakfast hamper, which was done politely and swiftly. The space itself is immaculate and the thought that has gone into these apartments to make guests feel comfortable and at home is an extension of this service. If they’re going to leave you to it, they’ve got to have thought of everything, right?

The bill

The Chinnery House apartments are available from £259 per night (two-night minimum stay). Breakfast hampers are available for delivery (£15pp), or guests have the option to have breakfast at Georgian House Hotel’s Pimlico Pantry (£20pp or £12 continental).

The verdict

What a lovely way to spend a couple of nights in London without the need to be on your best hotel behaviour. Thanks to the beautiful and well-equipped space, teamed with just enough concierge assistance to warrant my “independence”, my stay was relaxed, effortless and well-worth a return – even if it’s just to meet these neighbours I’ve heard so much about!

georgianhousehotel.co.uk