The entrance to the Cranley Hotel

Christmas presents for me
Our beautiful bedroom - love the purple
Anyone for tea?
The view from the afternoon
Two sinks - ideal for two ladies sharing a bathroom


I wonder what could be in here?

Happy 2013 guys - I'm the one without a hangover and coughing like a crazy person instead (note to self eat more oranges in 2013). I hope you all had a fantastic new years eve, I've got a good feeling about 2013 and even made some new years resolutions - read all about them here. Todays post is a little belated but if you're anything like me you'll already be searching for your next mini break as the return to work looms (I am seriously not excited about a 7.30 wake up tomorrow) so if you're considering a mini break in the capital read on... 

The Cranley Hotel is situated in one of Londons most exclusive post codes - anything that begins with SW1 is alright by me. The Cranley Hotel is a beautiful Georgian town house steeped in history, owned by everyone from renowned chocolatiers to celebrated perfumers before becoming the boutique hotel it is today. On arriving at the hotel my mum and I were warmly greeted and asked if we'd like any refreshments - once two English breakfast teas had been decided upon we were shown to our room by the super helpful receptionist while we oooh-ed and ahh-ed at the original Victorian floor tiles and quirky original features. Before we could even open the door to our room another gent had appeared with a huge tray of tea and biscuits - my kind of service. On opening our bedroom door I felt right at home - our room was beautiful from it's traditional marble bathroom with two huge sinks to the four poster bed, essential for any mini break although maybe not when your staying with your mum! As we rested our wary travelled feet we sipped our teas and (maybe) scoffed a couple of biscuits before noticing the box of Hummingbird Cupcakes, a welcome addition for the sugar starved traveller. 

Anyone for breakfast?


My mum awaiting the arrival of her full English breakfast
The prettiest pyjamas in Austique
My and my new lady friend


Have you ever seen a more perfect picture?

The sitting area at the Cranley

It's Devonshire tea time

The Cranley is conveniently situated about a ten minute walk from the Kings Road so my mum and I had no trouble at all locating Bluebird and the most perfect boutique Austique,  stocked full of everything you'd ever need to live the Made in Chelsea lifestyle - I'm talking cashmere jumpers, pretty pyjamas and gifts galore. Hitting Bluebird on a Sunday morning pre 11am is the perfect time to beat the fashionable rush, not only do you manage to get a mouth watering full English but a table in the window so you can watch the Chelsea ladies stroll by. If shopping is your sport then work off your breakfast with a stroll down the Kings Road and you'll find Anthropologie (much better than the one on Regent Street), Tabio and a host of French boutiques - think Maje and Sandro. A little further down is the Duke of York square where my mum and I indulged in a mince pie and a hot chocolate at Manicomio and met a few bronzed friends. 

The Duke of York square was Christmas personified, shoppers dashing around with their body weight in shopping bags and more tasteful festive decorations and lights than you could shake a stick at. Last time I visited the boy and I hit the amazing food market - well worth a visit especially if lavender infused goats cheese is your bag. After a further perusal of the many shops - I'm talking about you Zara, we steadily made our way back to the hotel where a Devonshire cream tea was waiting for us (well it was nearly Christmas). Sitting down on the comfy sofa putting cream on my scone, being warmed by the roaring fire and watching You Tube videos before our taxi came to whisk us away to St Pancras train station was the perfect ending to our mini break in London - easily my ideal Sunday.

My mum and I booked our stay at the Cranley through Mr & Mrs Smith so it's worth checking them out for handy discounts and freebies on arrival, especially if you like Hummingbird cupcakes. The Cranley Hotel is easily the best and most friendly hotel in South West London so if you fancy living the Made in Chelsea lifestyle then give the Cranley a go.

Have you ever stayed in South West London? Where are your favourite places to visit?