The Scene: Cool, Calm and Quiet.
The Style:  Scandi Style meets British design   
Seen in the lobby: A selection of carefully curated artwork  

The journey here on the Underground and the noise of London streets became a distant memory as soon as I checked into Inhabit Queen’s Gardens. Set across a crescent of mid-19th Century townhouses on a tree-lined square, as soon as I stepped into the hotel there was instantly a sense of chilled, calm and relaxed luxury.

Opened in 2022 this is the second Inhabit Hotel in London (its first, the Inhabit Southwick Street opened in 2019 ).  Inhabit’s mission to create restorative, environmentally and socially-conscious places to stay in the city.  The collection was born from ‘a lack of mindful hotels and an awareness of the unmet needs of the modern, health-conscious traveller’.

Inhabit Queen’s Gardens is a collaboration between Holland Harvey Architects, Caitlin Henderson Design and art curators Culture A to create the tranquil interiors which very successfully puts its guests are ease.

Inhabit Queen’s Gardens proudly declares that it is a luxury hotel where ‘where sleep is taken seriously’. The luxury hotel features 158 rooms and 10 Queen’s Suites which have been designed with a restful sleep as its aim with sleek, clutter free design and natural materials and cool, calming tones. 

Having spent the night there The Luxury Travel Bible can confirm that indeed they do. Even for a Saturday Night in the capital I had a fantastic night’s sleep – I was half tempted to try and steal the Naturalmat organic mattresses which has been handcrafted in Devon, UK.

To encourage screen-free time, a phone lock-box has been cleverly integrated into the bedside tables, and the televisions are hidden behind sleek, sliding wooden cabinets. To further aid relaxation guests can tune into the hotel’s meditation channel for a variety of guided meditation classes.

I absolutely loved the style of the modern bathroom with its custom coloured concrete basin by Kelham Island Concrete and finished in cork, sustainable Mosa wall tiles. But this isn’t style over substance as the intensity of the shower certainly woke me up in the morning!

Inhabit has partnered with the award-winning Devon health retreat Yeotown to create Yeotown Queen’s Gardens, the hotel’s restaurant with a ‘Californian-inspired’ meat-free and plant-centric menu. 

Travelling with an allergy is always difficult so it was very reassuring to see the thought and care that had been put into the menu to be more inclusive for all diners. TLTB can confirm that the Bircher-style overnight oats are delicious!

The drinks menu also features a selection of alcohol-free options and Mocktails – so much more interesting than just having to settle with a Diet Coke or a OJ. 

When it is eventually time to venture out and explore the city, the hotel is conveniently located a 5-10 minute walk from Paddington Train Station, is close to two Royal Parks, Notting Hill and the West End. It is also close to many restaurants and bars, all within walking distance.

Inhabit Queen’s Gardens is a beautiful hotel for a relaxing stay, and a perfect base for when visiting London. But what makes it truly stand out from the Luxury Hotel crowd is its ethics and morals. 

The hotel has pledged to work with 100 social enterprises and small, socially-conscious businesses and it is fantastic to see them throughout; some obviously present and some less so. All of these commitments just add to the atmosphere and style.

Just a small selection of these collaborations include Soft Furnishings made by people recovering from and living with mental health illnesses, Goldfinger, an award-winning social enterprise demonstrating that high end design can and should be people and planet positive, has produced bespoke joinery for the hotel throughout the public areas and guest rooms and bathrooms feature full-size and refillable amenities are from Skandinavisk, a Certified B Corporation (disposable miniatures are not welcome here).

Inhabit Queen’s Gardens is the first London hotel to offer GAIA treatments. The GAIA skincare range use Fairtrade, certified-organic plant extracts sourced from small farms and producers while the mini bars are stocked by ‘Social Supermarket’ which support social enterprises.

During this stay I was having a busy weekend in London so a restful and serene stay was certainly welcomed. But next time I think I will just check into hotel, never venturing out and will leave 48-hours later in a total state of Zen.

Check in: 1–2 Queen’s Gardens, London W2 3BA

Ultimate Luxury: Choosing your bespoke aromatherapy scent for your room for the duration of your stay.

Most Indulgent Moment: Breakfast is Indulgent, but also guiltfree. Waking up from a fantastic night sleep and then enjoying a Vegan Full English Breakfast. The GF Blue spirulina and blueberry pancakes Pancakes and Bircher Overnight Oats are also delicious.

Insider Secrets: Almost 100% of waste from the hotel’s construction was diverted from landfill via reuse or recycling initiatives.

The Little Things: A book of ‘Bedtime stories for Grown ups’ by the bed for nighttime reading.

Junior Luxies: They are welcomed and family rooms are available.  Well behaved Fur Babies of the pampered pooch variety are also welcomed (for an additional charge).

Dent in the platinum:

Luxury Hotels Link:  www.inhabithotels.com