What
Occupying a considerable stretch of the eponymous street on which it’s based, Templeton Garden Hotel offers 156 rooms and suites, designed by Thurstan design studio – the good folk behind the Soho House group’s luxe aesthetic. The result is a hotel that manages to feel both stylish and accessible in a way few other four-star London hotels achieve. Part of the Miiro group, it opened last April to immediate acclaim and it’s not difficult to see why. With the amenities and intimacy of a boutique hotel but the slick polish of somewhere far grander, this is undoubtedly one of West London’s most appealing new places to stay.
Where
Once home to London’s biggest indoor concert venue, Earls Court spent many a year better known for backpacker hostels than boutique hotels. The Exhibition Centre has since been demolished and awaits redevelopment, while many of the area’s handsome white-stuccoed properties now command prices rivalling neighbouring Chelsea and Kensington. Yet much of the local hotel scene has remained oddly stuck in the past, trading on little more than location. Which is precisely why Templeton Garden feels such a refreshing arrival.
The Rooms
We were fortunate enough to stay in one of the hotel’s garden suites, which delivers all the hallmarks of contemporary luxury in a stylishly restrained package. There is the requisite free-standing bath, an exceptionally comfortable four-poster bed and a bottle of Nyetimber waiting on ice. Le Labo products line the bathroom, while best of all is access to a secluded private patio overlooking the hotel’s elegant and surprisingly expansive garden. Our daughter was especially delighted by Templeton Garden’s permanent residents: a quartet of impossibly sweet rabbits with their own enclosure tucked away in the grounds. Sitting outside with a coffee or cocktail on a warm evening, surrounded by greenery in the middle of West London, it instantly became our favourite discovery of the summer.
To Drink
The hotel’s food and drink offering has clearly been given serious thought, nowhere more so than at Sprout, which raises the bar considerably for West London hotel cocktails. Drinks revolve around unusual ingredients and inventive flavour combinations which, in lesser hands, might feel gimmicky. Here, thanks to the enthusiasm and expertise of bar manager Will, they are excellent. A Scottish girolle old fashioned used mushrooms to add remarkable depth, while a Tomato Collins cleverly split the difference between a Bloody Mary and a negroni to create the ideal summer cocktail. We could happily have spent the entire evening at Sprout, were it not for dinner awaiting at Pippin’s, the hotel’s modern British restaurant.
To Eat
Starters of tuna tartare and shrimp cocktail showcased excellent seafood, while Wagyu steak with béarnaise and prawn linguine elevated familiar brasserie staples into something far more memorable. The concise wine list is smartly chosen – we particularly enjoyed the English white from Sussex– while the ice cyder served with dessert proved even more compelling than a traditional sweet wine. The children’s menu also deserves mention for avoiding the usual beige clichés, offering properly considered dishes such as salmon in place of the inevitable battered cod and chips. It’s enough to turn any 10-year-old into a mini-gourmand.
Highlights
The free-standing bath was a particular delight for a leisurely morning soak before breakfast at Pippin’s, where guests can build their own version of a full – or not-so-full – English breakfast. But the true star of the hotel is the garden itself, along with its attendant bunnies: a vast, beautifully landscaped oasis hidden behind the building that feels almost impossible to believe exists in central London. For al fresco cocktails, lazy afternoon coffees or just a quiet moment away from the city, it is one of west London’s best-kept secrets. There’s a reason every guest here seems to be in notably good spirits. Templeton Garden has transformed Earls Court as a place to visit, and stay, completely. We, and everyone else of any taste, will be back.
How Much
Rooms start from £222 per night.
Images: James McDonald
By Alexander Larman
FAQs: Templeton Garden Hotel
Where is Templeton Garden Hotel?
Templeton Garden Hotel is located in Earls Court, West London, within easy reach of Kensington, Chelsea and Earl’s Court Underground station.
Who designed Templeton Garden Hotel?
The interiors were designed by Thurstan, the studio known for its work with the Soho House group, giving the hotel a relaxed but elevated boutique feel.
Does Templeton Garden Hotel have a restaurant?
Yes. The hotel restaurant, Pippin’s, serves modern British cuisine with a contemporary twist, alongside a well-curated wine list and thoughtful children’s menu.
What is Sprout Bar at Templeton Garden Hotel?
Sprout is the hotel’s cocktail bar, known for inventive drinks built around unusual ingredients and seasonal flavours. It has quickly become one of West London’s standout hotel bars.
Is Templeton Garden Hotel family friendly?
Very much so. The spacious suites, garden access and relaxed atmosphere make it particularly well suited to families, while younger guests tend to love the resident rabbits in the garden.
Does Templeton Garden Hotel have outdoor space?
Yes. One of the hotel’s biggest draws is its large landscaped garden, with some suites offering direct private access.
What are the rooms like at Templeton Garden Hotel?
Rooms and suites are stylish but comfortable, combining boutique-hotel aesthetics with practical luxury touches such as Le Labo toiletries, generous bathrooms and exceptionally comfortable beds.
Is Earls Court a good area to stay in London?
Increasingly, yes. Earls Court has changed significantly in recent years, offering a quieter and more residential alternative to nearby Kensington and Chelsea while remaining extremely well connected.
Who owns Templeton Garden Hotel?
Templeton Garden Hotel is part of the Miiro hotel group.
