Durley House

London

Located in the southeast of the country, the capital of England with its more than seven million inhabitants is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. As the former capital of the enormous British Empire, its population includes more than fifty nationalities speaking about 300 different languages. Founded by the Romans at extremity of the Thames estuary, London has been decimated by plague, ravaged by fire and bombed during World War Two, and yet it has never ceased to expand and now occupies a preponderant place among cities in Europe and throughout the world. Consisting of a multitude of villages, each with its own identity, London is an immense patchwork which is lively and animated both day and night. It is also extremely rich in culture, with its world famous British Museum, National Gallery and the Tate, and legendary monuments including Westminster Abbey with its famous Big Ben, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London, not to mention the royal residence, Buckingham Palace. From the historical and financial center known as The City, to Spitafields and the notorious Whitechapel quarter where Jack the Ripper stalked in the 19^th century, and from the central areas such as Covent Garden, Piccadilly Circus and Leicester with their theatres, cinemas and concert halls and ready to wear clothing boutiques, to the chic residential quarters of Chelsea, Kensington and Notting Hill, London is a combination of different social classes and a variety of architectural structures which add to its complexity and its charm.

A weekend at Lord Durley’s

Entering the Durley House is like entering a private residence. Located in the trendy Chelsea quarter, this elegant mansion faces the magnificent Cadogan Gardens, just a few steps from the famous Harrod’s department store and numerous other luxury shops. In the hall, there’s a fireplace, some comfortable armchairs and a portrait of Lord Durley, guarantor of the mansion’s secrets. Behind the reception area with its filtered atmosphere, a large staircase leads directly to the eleven suites, each with its own comfortable living room. Classical antique furniture, a marble fireplace, a regency portrait and a comfortable sofa give each suite a totally British aura. The tapestries on the walls change the tone depending on the suite. In the Durley suite, they’re black with tennis stripes. In the Luxury suite, they’re cream color or ivory, and in the Deluxe suite, they’re beige with thin white stripes.

There is no restaurant at the Durley, although meals are served in the living area adjacent to the bedroom. And for a moment of relaxation after a long day, tea is served in the salon near the reception area complete with small sandwiches, pastries, scones, etc.