We review The Richmond Hill Hotel and delight in a country-style staycation in London’s greenest borough
Country chic in the big city.
Country chic in the big city.
When it comes to boutique hotels in London, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste. And over in the west of the city, in an area famed for its gardens and parks, a cool little stay awaits your arrival. We recently checked-in at The Richmond Hill Hotel and quickly fell in love with the elegant country home vibes and gastronomic delights.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Just a 15-minute train journey from London’s Waterloo, Richmond is the ultimate London borough for those wanting a slice of the country life with easy access to the CBD. When you get off at Richmond Station, rows of cute shops and restaurants welcome you, setting the scene for the rest of your stay.
A 10-minute bus ride from here, and you’ll find Richmond Hill offering sweeping views of the Thames, easy access to Richmond Park for deer spotting, and an array of cute pubs. It’s also home to The Richmond Hill Hotel, a stunning Georgian hotel and the perfect base for a weekend of exploring, or doing absolutely nothing.
Set back off the street with plenty of parking out front, the property pays homage to the herds of deer in the nearby park with sculptures at the entrance.
Once inside, you’re welcomed into a space that feels more like a grand home than a hotel, with multiple lounges offering spaces for guests to relax on elegant furniture. Decked out in refined blues and golds that pop against the crisp whites, it’s a classic country feel, with fun details if you look closely enough. As I’m looking around, I spy some stylish Scrabble and Monopoly editions that are encased in what look like vintage books, and it’s these little things that make the stay unique.
Check-in was swift and simple and we were quickly making our way up to our room. The hotel is surprisingly large and we found ourselves navigating corridors upon corridors before we reached our Georgian Deluxe Room.
Inside the guestroom, the team at Richmond Hill Hotel have managed to capture that home-away-home experience, albeit an elevated version. The feature of the space is undoubtedly the blue roll top bathtub which I manage to use three times during the course of our weekend. With Penhaligon’s toiletries on hand (in the Blenheim Bouquet fragrance which was originally created for the Duke of Marlborough), relaxing in this oversized tub was definitely one of the highlights of the stay.
A comfortable Heal’s bed complete with a curated selection of reading options that link to the local area provide an idyllic, restful ambience. I really appreciated the number of charging points across the room, offering both plug and USB formats so that we could keep our multitude of digital devices topped up at all times. The TV has a huge selection of channels, but we couldn’t seem to get streaming working through our Apple devices. This was no problem though, as our preferred chilling out programme, Law & Order: SVU screened regularly, as it seems to do across hotels worldwide.
The bathroom is generously proportioned with a huge shower offering both rain and standard heads. I really appreciated the addition of underfloor heating in the space, and the fact that the different light switches are labelled to avoid confusion. While prepping for dinner, I did find applying my makeup a little difficult as the mirror sits directly over the sink making it tricky to get up close for application. The addition of a foldout makeup mirror and light would be a welcome addition.
Breakfast is served in the restaurant downstairs, and they really have this nailed. A wonderful selection of fresh fruits, cereals, pastries, and hot food are available at the buffet, and I was very thankful for the vegan sausages while my partner indulged in crumpets with a selection of Bonne Maman conserves.
They also offer a small selection of unique dishes, and I thoroughly enjoyed the spiced rice pudding served with prunes. Another wonderful thing about breakfast is that it is open until 11am, which is perfect for those who prefer a brunch time graze.
For both lunch and dinner, the space transforms into 144 on the Hill, a chic dining space complete with feathered lampshades, bold patterned wallpapers, and equally gorgeous furniture. While it’s the same space we enjoyed breakfast in, by night, it transforms into chic and intimate space, the perfect scene for some excellent food.
We dived into the menu, enjoying an array of seasonal dishes. My partner delighted in his Botanical King Prawn and Crayfish Cocktail, while I loved the delicate Asparagus, Poached Egg, Miso Hummus. Our server was so attentive and gave us excellent wine and drink suggestions. When we arrived at 7pm, the space was already popping, so be sure to book ahead.
On the lower ground floor, a small yet well proportioned gym includes free weights, cable weight machines, and a few cardio options. I was thrilled that the elliptical machine had the option to do classes through the screen, so I did one of those before my weights routine.
The entrance to Richmond Park is a 5-minute walk from the property and a wonderful place to spend a morning or an afternoon. Even though we had a lazy start and arrived at the park around 11:30am, we managed to spot loads of Red and Fallow Deer during our visit.
If you live in London, then Richmond Hill Hotel should definitely be on your radar for a staycation. Equipped with everything you need, easy access to the best of Richmond’s parks and gardens, and a friendly team of hospitality professionals, it’s an ideal choice for any occasion.
Learn more about Richmond Hill Hotel or Book through Booking.com
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