The Vegan Hotel You Need To Add To Your London Travel List In 2020
London’s first and only vegan hotel, La Suite West, is a unique boutique hotel in the capital’s affluent area of Bayswater. Anouska Hempel is the creative mind behind the Japanese-inspired minimalist decor which adds a touch of class to the luxury property. Acquaint yourself with the hotel below and discover why it is on our list of best boutique hotels in the most cosmopolitan city in the world.
The shaded patio
Neighbourhood
La Suite West is situated in one of the most sought-after parts of London, Bayswater. The hotel’s optimal location means that Hyde Park is no more than a five-minute walk away, Oxford Street less than 25 and the illustrious Portobello Road Market a healthy 30-minute stroll west of the hotel towards Notting Hill.
The strong cultural influences in the area create a truly cosmopolitan feel, with a broad range of artisanal shops, a buzzing high street and well-heeled locals.
Travel connections surrounding the hotel include Bayswater Tube Station, Paddington Station, within which you will find the Heathrow Express.
Room service at the hotel might be relatively limited, but one thing Notting Hill is superb at is providing a colourful array of eateries. Essenza and Osteria Basilico are tried and tested Italian favourites, with The Cow and The Ladbroke Arms but a short walk away. Guests of La Suite West couldn’t demand a better choice of dining and drinking spots at their fingertips.
From the exterior, La Suite West is a typical west London terrace, and features a pretty, leafy green patio with long wood tables and large lanterns which, at night, give the patio a romantic and cosy ambience. Tall trees provide privacy and shade for those looking to dine al fresco this springtime.
Decor & Rooms
La Suite West is placed firmly on our map of design boutique hotels in London, having been created by acclaimed British hotelier and interior designer Anouska Hempel and is part of the Bespoke Hotels Collection.
Hempel, also known as Lady Weinberg, has worked on projects globally, from a Turkish gulet, a traditional wooden sailing vessel, to a Louis Vuitton store, with La Suite West now included in her luxury repertoire.
The classically west London-style exterior is juxtaposed against the cool, minimalist Japanese decor within. The reception area, flanked by a commanding front desk and chic fireplace, serve as a welcoming introduction.
Long, narrow corridors lead to 79 rooms on the property: the suites with private front terraces are the standouts for the hotel and the Junior Suite is our favourite. The room features a sublimely comfortable bed, a long pull-out sofa, dining table and chairs, and a 32” TV which pops up at the press of a button.
The most aesthetically pleasing section of the room is the large, marble bathrooms which contain heated flooring, trough-like basins, a bath and shower combination and White Company toiletries. The Japanese zen decor is apparent across the hotel and, in-room, tall black wood shoji slated dividers create a chic separation between the kitchenette and the bedroom.
All rooms have mini fridges but no alcohol (the hotel is strictly alcohol-free), filter coffee and silk-wrapped tea, strong WiFi, and UK, US and EU plug sockets.
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Dining
Among its myriad charms, the hotel's cuisine is a stand-out: the in-house all-vegan Café Forty One is fast becoming one of the most trendy cafés in London. Not only is it the first but it is also the only vegan French patisserie in the capital.
The tastemaker behind the unique concept is head chef, Clarisse Flon, whose classic twist on a quintessentially English custom of Afternoon Tea, features delicate, handmade, fully vegan weekly-changing petit fours, dainty sandwiches consisting of BLT with aubergine ‘bacon’, a mini brioche roll with smoked carrot ‘salmon’ and chipotle ‘cheese’ with caramelised onion. Traditional plain and raisin scones come with a beautiful homemade berry compote, vegan honey and coconut clotted cream.
Among other options at Café Forty One popular among guests are the full English breakfast with flavoursome vegan sausages, a mushroom bourguignon pie and mash, and the sweet potato dauphinois with crispy pulled aubergine.
An afternoon spent enjoying vegan delights at the cafe is one we’ll be doing again. There is no question that LS delivers on its promise of luxury and is a hotel prepared to go to any length to ensure its guests get what they want.
Rooms at La Suite West start from £120.
Two rooms on the ground floor provide access for guests with disabilities.
41-51 Inverness Terrace,
Bayswater, London, W2 3JN
