The first opening from new boutique hotel brand The Signet Collection, The Mitre has all the feel of a country hotel but sits snuggly inside London’s zone 6.
With a lively riverside terrace (complete with a Whispering Angel boat shack), two restaurants and 36 playfully decorated bedrooms, it’s an exciting new addition to London’s hotel scene.
Where is it?
On the banks of the River Thames across the road from Hampton Court Palace. Roughly 30 minutes from central London on the train and just nine miles from Heathrow Airport, it’s the best of both worlds with 1,100 acres of glorious Bushy Park on its doorstep, riverside walks and easy access to all the sights and sounds of the capital.
Style
A Grade-II list building commissioned in 1665 to host King Henry VII’s courtiers when there was no space at the Palace, rumour has it there is an underground tunnel leading directly into the Royal household but the team hasn’t been able to find it... yet. The interiors couldn’t be less dated and dusty. Conjured up by Nicola Harding, who worked on Beaverbrook and The Rose in Deal, they are a delightful hodge-podge of colour and clashing prints, a satisfying blend of old and new.
Rooms and suites come with four poster beds and roll top bath tubs. Make a beeline for the handpainted de Gournay electric blue wallpaper in one of the hotel’s many stylish nooks for the ultimate Instagram shot. Where possible, the team sourced local fabrics and antiques with many original pieces from the original hotel being reworked or upcycled to give them a new lease of life.
Outside, the terrace has to be one of the best spots in town for soaking up the sun. Mismatching furniture, a roaring outdoor fireplace and, the pièce de résistance, a Whispering Angel boat shed piled high with bottles of delicious rosé.
Extracurricular
A jaunt around Hampton Court Palace is a must, of course. The hotel takes its proximity to the Palace seriously and you’ll find nods to the neighbourhood’s most famous inhabitant throughout. Not least with the names of rooms - the Catherine Parr suite is particularly special and the Do Not Disturb signs feature a half naked Henry VII in the bath.
With its own jetty and easy access to the River Thames, don’t just watch the river life cruise by from the safety of the sun-drenched terrace, join them by hopping aboard a vintage wooden riverboat and enjoying The Mitre’s champagne picnic. There aren’t many better ways to spend an afternoon.
Nearby you’ll also find Kew Gardens, Chessington World of Adventures and Richmond Park.
Food & Drink
The ebullient Ronnie Kimbugwe, formerly of Gordon Ramsay at Claridge’s and the Bel and Dragon Inns, helms the food offering. Find relaxed all-day dining in the airy Coppernose restaurant as well as an epic and, for London, well-priced Sunday roast. There’s slightly more formal dining at the 1665 brasserie, named after the year the original inn was built. Flame grilled rib eye steak with truffle mayo and celery salted fries, lobster & prawn linguine and whole Atlantic lobsters jostle with warm chocolate filled bombolini doughnuts and Hampton Court honey, apple & berry crumble for your attention.
The Mitre brews its own beer, Six Wives and, as with all good British hotels, it will be serving afternoon tea from October.
Which room?
Rooms are reasonable with a classic starting at £178 per night. All are individually decorated and completely unique. Patterned wallpaper by Ottoline and Ceraudo clashes wonderfully with colourful statement Rosi de Ruig lamps. If you can, stump for the Catherine Parr suite from £592. The copper roll top bath sits front and centre next to the window with views across the river and over to the Palace.
Best for...
People who love a beautiful hotel with a heart. The welcome is warm and the location is exceptional. Life’s good down by the river.
Well behaved dogs are allowed.
Details
Rooms from £178 per night. All pricing based on a room only basis for two people including taxes & fees. Full English Breakfast from £15 per person. mitrehamptoncourt.com/
