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The Franklin 3 Boutique Home
The Franklin is waiting to become your favourite home-from-home
in SW3. A short cab ride from Victoria Station and a mere stroll from
South Kensington tube station, this boutique treasure is located discreetly on the semi-circled Egerton Gardens, smack on the border with
Knightsbridge. You9d be forgiven for missing the entrance but, once
inside, you9ll be entranced by the plushness of interiors, seamlessly arranged by celebrated designer Anouska Hempel. The reception process
is smooth and relaxed, centred around a beautifully informal table; from
here, a couple of stairs lead up to the restaurant and bar areas, neatly
tucked away on either side of the main hall. For a small hotel, The
Franklin prides itself on being one that punches well above its weight
in the areas of most importance to guests: Immaculate service, amazing
food, fantastic location and wonderful rooms and suites. The Science
Museum, Natural History Museum and the V&A are all a 5-minute walk
away and curiously, there is even a hammam in the basement. But what
exactly do you want out of your Franklin experience? The possibilities
are manifold.
The Garden Suite is the best place to start your Franklin adventure.
Elegant French windows open out to Egerton Gardens and the e昀ect
can be quite staggering, especially on a summer, or even autumnal,
day. Luxurious velvet curtains lead to petite balconies, yet modern
technology abounds within the room, perfectly re昀ecting the classic yet
modern feel within the hotel in general. Marble bathrooms accentuate
the overall opulence and are stocked with toiletries from London9s very
own Penhaligon9s.
The hotel is owned by Starhotels Collezioni, the Italian group that also
owns The Gore and so naturally, The Franklin Restaurant is helmed
by Michelin-starred Alfredo Russ, showcasing Piedmont cuisine in a
setting of thirty covers. Mirrors, stretching across this intimacy, give an
impression of spatial abundance. It easily stands on its own as a destination eatery and doubles up as a breakfast hall in the mornings where, in
my opinion, the Full English is easily one of the best in town.
The Franklin Bar, at the other end of the hall, is a classic Champagne
and cocktail haven. Paying tribute to The Great Gatsby, it sparkles
brightly with mirrors and surfaces, perfectly complemented by some
exquisite signature and classic varieties of the mixology kind.
The Franklin o昀ers a perfect level of caring from the sta昀, indulgent
pleasures in quiet corners and wonderful moments spent in one of the
best parts of London Town. To sum it up, a very satisfying tranche of
opulence.
The Franklin, 24 Egerton Gardens, SW3 2DB www.starthotels.com +44
2 7584 5533
Sid Raghava