24 Hours in Sloane Square: A guide to London’s most affluent destination

You have 24 Hours to spend in Sloane Square. What do you do? One of the most affluent destinations in London, Sloane Square is where art, culture and elegance come to life. Flanked by Chelsea and Belgravia on either side, this is where high-end shopping, fine dining and luxury living converge.

This square is also home to two very important buildings in London: the Peter Jones department store (now a John Lewis chain), which pioneered the existence of department stores in the UK; and the Royal Court Theatre, which has now become a haven for new writers and theatre aficionados. 

With the Duke of York square just a stone’s throw away for all your boutique shopping needs, incredible luxury hotels like …At Sloane right at your doorstep and the nearby Saatchi Gallery for some immersive cultural experiences, there is something for everyone at Sloane Square. 

And with the festive season almost here, Sloane Square will turn into a beautiful corner of London where the lights and all the festive flair bring this little neighbourhood to life. From luxury hotels to boutique shopping, here is the best way to spend 24 hours in Sloane Square.STAY | …At Sloane

…At Sloane is a chic boutique hotel in Sloane Square that combines discreet British charm with timeless luxury and Parisian flair to offer guests an experience akin to staying in an art collector’s chic townhouse. With 30 rooms and suites, a top floor restaurant, and a lower-ground bar, this hotel evokes an elegant sense of place in the neighbourhood, combined with an appreciation of design, for complete aesthetic pleasure. The entrance, with its historic facade, is discreet and welcomes guests into a place that is meant to feel like you’re coming home. 

Each of the hotel’s distinct rooms are playful in their refined approach to symmetry. There are hidden doorways in the timber-panelled walls that open to uncover walk-in wardrobes, maxi mini-bars, and elegantly considered bathrooms. This playfulness continues throughout the hotel, which has been created with couples in mind. There is a ‘love’ lighting at the touch of a button, walls featuring romantic trysts in black-and-white photo form, and bespoke curated libraries in each room. Each room is framed with beautiful stained-glass windows which enhance the intimate atmosphere. True romance is born in Paris, and you can find a slice of it right here in Sloane Square’s …At Sloane.DINE | The restaurant at …At Sloane

If you’re looking for good dining spots in Sloane Square, there are many lovely restaurants around the square, but none is better than …At Sloane’s in-house restaurant. Located in the hotel’s sixth floor, the private-yet-airy restaurant sits with high ceilings and low seating for a loungey feel, complete with a new cupola for up to four guests. Inspired by Jekyll and Whistler’s 1876 ‘Peacock Room’ created to showcase Chinese porcelain, the restaurant’s white lacquered shelves are laden with hundreds of Chinoiserie vases. The restaurant serves a menu of Costes ‘essentiels’, offering Parisian classics alongside Asian delicacies.

Standout dishes include the escargots, the dim sum and the spicy Chilean seabass. Make sure you order a side of fries and some delicious bellini to go with your meal. End with the restaurant’s famous cheesecake, which, according to the restaurant staff, allegedly also has a fan in Kim Kardashian. SHOP | Duke of York Square

The Duke of York Square is your go-to location for luxury shopping in Sloane Square. With over 30 stores ranging from boutique outlets to established brands, as well as beauty brands like Aesop, there is an outlet for every shopping need: from Massimo Dutti and Penhaligon’s to Space NK and Reformation. This place also houses the Saatchi Gallery, which is a great place to visit for the culture and art aficionados. 

For the festive season, the Duke of York Square is gearing up to host 12 days of Christmas, where the square will be decked up with decorations from the famed Christmas carol. Also happening in November is the festive lights switch-on, which will turn the square into a magical Christmas wonderland. Even if you’re not staying in Sloane Square, it is definitely worth a visit during the festive season.EXPLORE | Saatchi Gallery, Chelsea Flower Show, Frieze London 

There is culture everywhere you look in Sloane Square, no matter what time of the year it may be. For the art lovers, you can find a myriad of incredible exhibitions at the Saatchi Gallery all year round. In the summer, there is the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which is a must-visit event for anyone who adores beautiful flowers and installations. This also gives way to Chelsea In Bloom, which often sees all of Sloane Square decked out in gorgeous flower installations of a certain theme. This year’s installations paid tribute to fashion, inspiring innovative flower sculptures across the neighbourhood. And as summer gives way to autumn, you will find the nearby Regent’s Park decked out for Frieze London, which is the ultimate art fair for any discerning art aficionado. There is so much to do in Sloane Square all year round, you are certain to be spoiled for choices.

Images: Marina Germaine and Shutterstock

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