The background

Dorset Square Hotel is part of the award-winning Firmdale Hotels, which is owned by husband-and-wife team Tim and Kit Kemp. One of eight boutique hotels in London and two in New York, Dorset Square perfectly encapsulates the boutique townhouse style Firmdale has become synonymous with. With 38 individually styled rooms, the hotel overlooks the perfectly kept green at the centre of the square, and stands on the site of the original Lords Cricket Ground (which vacated the area in 1811 after rent prices increased). The cricket theme extends throughout the hotel, complementing the homely interiors curated at the hand of owner and designer Kit Kemp.

The space

Standing on the site of Thomas Lord’s first cricket ground, the sporting theme pervades the lobby and halls of the hotel, with artwork, heritage photography and cricket memorabilia lining the walls and display boxes. The very English game is complemented perfectly by Kit Kemp’s vibrant home-from-home interiors. The colourful flora and forna wallpaper, dark woods small corridors and bouncy soft carpets line the way to the welcoming guest lounge and the luxurious bedrooms. Each bedroom has a similar Kit-Kemp vibe but no two are the same. The English country theme also spills out into the lower ground floor restaurant, The Potting Shed, where Kemp’s colourful soft interiors make for very comfortable dining indeed.

The bedrooms are picture perfect, sumptuous spaces. Brummell stayed in the recently made over Room 204 – a green hued version with electric green curtains in James Malone’s ‘Zig Zag’ fabric, which is repeated on grand king-size bed’s throw cushions. The rich headboard has been styled by Kemp to combine wide panels of her own fabric ‘Tasha’s Trip’ paired with a chunky green weave by French interior stalwart Pierre Frey. The beautifully crafted bedspread added to the luxe feel and we were delighted to discover is available to purchase via Kit Kemp’s shop. A small writing desk on one side of the room is well equipped with stationery for those on a working trip, and a comfy seating area with tub chairs upholstered in the same Pierre Frey green weave is perfect place to sit for a relaxing spot of room service or a treat from the well-stocked mini bar.

One thing that really strikes me about the room is the glorious scent, thanks again to Kit Kemp and her RikRak range of ambrosial room sprays and toiletries, which line the bathroom countertop. A delectable lavender and eucalyptus pillow and room mist has a calmingly addictive aroma that helps us nod off to sleep in the ample and comfortable King size bed with no problems at all.

The bathroom is everything you would expect from a luxury boutique hotel, sparkling white, powerful shower set to the perfect temperature to minimise shower-control mishaps, crisp white towels warmed perfectly on the radiator and RikRak products and a selection of useful vanity packs replenished whenever needed. One of the cosiest rooms we’ve stayed in, with a fabulously British view of the square and green from the window. There’s also the option to borrow the key to the private square gardens should you fancy an exclusive stroll during your stay.

The food and drink

Beneath the richly decorated comfort of the boutique hotel is an equally delightful restaurant, The Potting Shed. Conjuring an English country garden, the restaurant is a fitting amalgam of colourful fabrics, lovingly upholstered furniture and calming moss green walls. Another win for Kit Kemp, who has created a serene and relaxing zone from which to enjoy a hearty and sumptuous dinner.

Serving food all day from breakfast, to lunch and afternoon tea, bar snacks and dinner, the space caters for everyone with a delicious menu of European classics alongside a special dish for every day of the week. Brummell settled down in a comfy corner booth complete with cushions for a dinner with cocktails. The accommodating bar staff even offered to create a cocktail off-menu based on our preferred tipple, with delicious results. We opted for a mouthwatering venison carpaccio, with black truffle and shaved parmesan  to start alongside a grilled pumpkin and radicchio salad. For mains, our choice of roast chicken with spiced cauliflower, romesco sauce and cavolo nero and an Angus bavette steak, with crispy chips, watercress and peppercorn sauce was one well made – a perfectly satisfying precursor to our flavoursome desserts: a bitter chocolate mousse sprinkled with honeycomb and crème fraîch and the must-order apple tarte tatin with vanilla ice cream. All in all a highly satisfying meal, made all the better in the knowledge that we could take a stroll around the square and retire to the incredible comfort of Room 204 with complete ease.

The bill

Rooms from £365 a night including breakfast; three-course dinner at The Potting Shed, around £160 for two people with cocktails.

The verdict

Dorset Square is the perfect English country retreat, a home-from-home (if your home is lucky enough to be kitted out with some of Europes’ finest and most colourful fabrics, beautifully upholstered by the talented Kit Kemp). With everything you need for a luxurious, relaxing break, it’s a winning combination of comfort, style, delicious food and excellent service.

Dorset Square Hotel is part of the Firmdale Group; firmdalehotels.com