Templeton Garden

Earls Court isn’t necessarily the first area that springs to mind when you think of London. Yet it’s a surprisingly pleasant place to live: central enough to get anywhere quickly, but significantly quieter and more liveable than Soho, Covent Garden or Notting Hill. Templeton Garden fits the bill perfectly. The hotel stretches across a row of white London townhouses with columns and tall windows, behind which lies a lush garden that’s unusually large by London standards. It’s actually the main reason we like the place. Even the lobby is entirely oriented towards the greenery, complemented by works by the artist Bethany Holmes and the large oak-leaf chandelier by Cox London. The interior is warm, British and with a slight mid-century feel, featuring wood, muted colours and fabrics, without slipping into that now somewhat overused boutique hotel style. The 156 rooms come in eight quite distinct categories – ranging from small single rooms to more spacious Garden Rooms and suites with freestanding Burlington baths. It’s worth taking a closer look when booking, as location and size do make a difference. On the ground floor is Pippin’s, serving British cuisine, Sunday roasts and views of the garden. In the evening, the small bar Sprout is the better spot for a drink, with cocktails that are a little more unconventional than the hotel itself – such as a watermelon and radish margarita. But Templeton Garden is at its best when you simply sit in the garden and forget for a moment that you’re in the heart of London. A place for anyone who prefers quality accommodation to necessarily staying at the trendiest address – and a pretty good reason to put Earls Court back on your London itinerary.