Tried & Tested

Hotel review: The Capital

21 Mar 2017 by Tom Otley
The Capital

WHAT'S IT LIKE?

The sister hotel to The Levin (for a review of this property see here) is larger than that 11-room hotel but still small, having only 49 rooms and suites.

Entrance is up a few steps into a smart lobby, almost residential in feel, with a fireplace, concierge desk to the left and reception to the right. There always seemed to be several smartly dressed staff there ready to help, and I never waited long for attention when coming and going. Like the Levin, it has just been sold to Warwick Hotels and Resorts.

WHERE IS IT?

In Knightsbridge, close to Harrods. The Piccadilly Line is direct to Heathrow and the West End from here, and Hyde Park is a five-minute walk away, as is the shopping on Sloane Street and Harvey Nichols.

ROOM FACILITIES

There are 49 guest bedrooms, including eight suites, seven deluxe doubles and one two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite. Not only are all the rooms different but they are in different buildings (town houses) so you access some of them by a separate staircase.

The decoration is smart and stylish, tastefully done but slightly dated compared to new hotels – I suspect this is how many of the guests like it, however, since it is all very well maintained and is rather like staying at a family friend’s house. The Deluxe King/Twins for instance are decorated with Ralph Lauren and Nina Campbell fabrics and are 31sqm, while the junior suites are 43sqm.

All rooms are air conditioned, have flatscreen TVs, minibars, laptop safes, bathroom amenities from Temple Spa, Nespresso machines in all Junior Suites, same day laundry and pressing service, twice daily room servicing, including turndown, complimentary shoeshine and newspapers.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS

The hotel’s restaurant – Outlaw’s, is the first outpost of the Cornish based, seafood-championing Nathan Outlaw (he subsequently opened another restaurant in the Burj al Arab in Dubai). This is simply prepared, ecologically sound British seafood from Cornwall, albeit from a chef who has two Michelin stars at his eponymous restaurant in Port Isaac.

The kitchen is overseen by Head Chef, Tom Brown. The bar is run by Cesar De Silva, who was the youngest Keeper of the Quaich in the UK, and who runs masterclasses on whisky and cocktails (or you can just quietly drink them). The hotel also has the Sitting Room for afternoon tea (this can also be reserved for exclusive use).

LEISURE FACILITIES

None, but for £10 you get access to the nearby Peak (in the Jumeirah Carlton Tower).

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES

The hotel has two meeting rooms including the Eaton Suite (up to 14 people) and The Cadogan Suite (up to 24), and the Sitting Room can also be hired as mentioned above.

VERDICT

Like The Levin, the Capital has the air of a secret hotel for those in the know and who value its location, friendly service and an outstanding restaurant.

CONTACT

The Capital, 22-24 Basil Street, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1AT; +44 (0)20 7589 5171; capitalhotel.co.uk 

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