Visiting The Cadogan during Chelsea Flower Show week feels almost unfair if you’re aiming for objectivity. It’s like judging claret solely on a 1982 vintage, or assuming peacocks always strut in full plume.
But something tells me The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel doesn’t do off days – and certainly not off years.
When I arrive, the front entrance is framed by a floral sculpture so striking it quite literally stops you in your tracks. Instagram beckons.
The installation won a Gold at the show; the doorman was positively beaming with pride. Or perhaps that was just because of his chequered red suit, which was nearly as spectacular as arch’s roses.
Once you pass through the fragrant threshold, it’s a more understated yet equally elegant affair.
Vibe
Mark Hedley
Mattia Aquila
The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, delivers a masterclass in quiet confidence. Blending its storied past with contemporary luxury, the hotel’s Queen Anne-style façade hints at its rich history, while inside, a harmonious blend of classic and modern design elements awaits. Think high ceilings, ornate fireplaces, and a curated art collection that pays homage to its artistic and literary heritage.
On that note, room 118 was once the pied-à-terre to a certain Mr Oscar Wilde. It was even the site of his infamous arrest, immortalised in John Betjeman’s 1937 poem ‘The Arrest of Oscar Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel’. The space has since been integrated into the hotel’s Royal Suite. (Happy Princes and Young Kings welcome; Selfish Giants and Canterville Ghosts less so.)
There are subtle nods to this literary legacy throughout: key cards etched with line drawings of leather-bound books; Wodehouse on the bedside table; and a lift foyer dressed in 600 bronze-cast books.
The Cadogan was also the one-time home to socialite, actress and all-round scene-stealer Lillie Langtry. She famously entertained the Prince of Wales via a discreet wood-panelled door that still opens to this day. (Presumably, it’s not in use by the current Prince of Wales, though.)
Langtry made Chelsea her playground, and 21 Pont Street her home – the townhouse that became The Cadogan in 1895. Her bedroom, now room 106, remains part of the hotel, where her spirit lingers, encouraging guests to live – if not entirely scandalously – then at least a little more daringly.
Food & Drink
Langtry also gives her influence alongside her nickname to The LaLee. The hotel’s signature restaurant draws inspiration from Lillie’s grand tour travels – the menu is a curated journey through European classics, with dishes like Dover sole and beef tartare prepared tableside, adding a touch of theatrical flair.
Head across the hall to The Cadogan Lounge by Benoit Blin, which offers a haute French take on the British ritual of afternoon tea. Pâtissier Benoît Blin has been Raymond Blanc's Head Pastry Chef at the award-winning Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons since 1995 – but the chances are you may know him better for leading the show Bake Off: The Professionals.
Rooms
If you’re lucky, you may receive a welcome gift from Blin’s team. In our case, it was another tribute to the Flower Show – this one included stunning white chocolate bonbons styled to look like glossy daisies as a welcoming offering.
More of a savoury person? Parmesan sables were also presented under a miniature cloche – little bites of cheesy, buttery heaven.
The 54 rooms and suites at The Cadogan are sanctuaries of comfort and style. Each space is individually decorated, featuring plush furnishings, marble bathrooms, and curated libraries from nearby John Sandoe Books. Modern amenities, such as smart TVs and mood lighting, seamlessly integrate with the classic décor, ensuring a stay that’s both luxurious and homely.
Expect only the best: Riedel glassware, bespoke William Edwards china, Bang & Olufsen stereos and a Toto toilet. (My butt cheeks never knew they got cold until they were warmed by superior Japanese manufacturing.)
Refreshingly, there’s a simple light switch you can actually work: Mood 1 and Mood 2. That’s it.
There are art deco touches throughout from the shower screens to the Lefroy Brooks taps. Yet this is again balanced by modernity: our freestanding tub came with Aquavision TV on the opposite wall.
Sadly, there was no button to ring for champagne but I’m sure if you shout loud enough….
Inside Track
The story of The Cadogan traces back to Hans Sloane himself – physician, collector, and the man behind some of London’s greatest institutions. His treasure trove of plant specimens, rare books and exotic curiosities laid the foundations for the British Museum, the British Library, the Natural History Museum and the Chelsea Physic Garden. Today, every room at The Cadogan nods to his legacy – look for the blue morpho butterflies quietly watching over you.
To see some real butterflies, guests of The Cadogan also enjoy exclusive access to the private Cadogan Place Gardens. A private green sanctuary unchanged since 1886, it’s all sweeping lawns, sculpted borders and a sense of deep, unhurried calm. Stretch out with a book beneath the trees, practise your serve on one of the private tennis courts, or simply laze the afternoon away. Picnics can be arranged, blankets provided, and board games delivered – all you need to do is turn up and unwind.
If you need some extra help in that arena, head back to the hotel and book into the Treatment Room – an inviting subterranean cocoon – for cult treatments by Teresa Tarmey.
The hotel is, of course, perfectly placed for a stroll through Chelsea’s luxury boutiques – assuming you can actually bring yourself to leave.
See more at belmond.com
