Knightsbridge Serviced Apartments

Beaufort Gardens, London SW3

Home to The Most Exclusive Knightsbridge Serviced Apartments And Boutique Hotels

Beaufort Gardens, Knightsbridge is one of the most charming no-through roads or “cul-de-sacs” in London.  It’s name, however, is slightly mis-leading as it actually lacks any green – the gardens are now gone!  What does remain is stunning original architecture, tall trees and an overall feeling of elegance and style.

In 1859 William and Charles Quentery teamed up with a builder named Thomas Stimpson to redevelop Beaufort Gardens.  Together with architect George Adam Burn, they began to lay out the long, deep site.  The Red Lion Inn on Brompton Road was also rebuilt and the elongated square was built behind this. The original idea was to call the new site Brompton Road, however this was changed in 1863 to Beaufort Gardens.  Another successful builder, Jeremiah Little bought the site and the beautiful square was finally completed in 1870.

In the survey of London at the time, Beaufort Gardens was described thus: “The houses of Beaufort Gardens are of an orthodox high-class Kensington type, with four main storeys and a full attic above ground, light-brick walling, porticoes and plentiful Italianate “compo” dressings.  G.A. Burns five houses (numbers 43 – 47) present a slight simpler appearance than those of the Littles, but the general similarity makes it probable that he designed all the houses in Beaufort Gardens as well as the shops and the Red Lion along the Brompton Road.”!

Beaufort Gardens still remains one of the most impressive areas of Knightsbridge and is a tranquil tree-lined street boasting some of the most sought after residential houses and apartments in London.  Amongst these, one will also find an exclusive range of luxury Knightsbridge serviced apartments and boutique hotels.

A favourite of the Knightsbridge serviced apartments with J&K Apartments is Beaufort House, a quite beautiful property which has recently been completely refurbished and interior designed throughout.  Here you can choose from a range of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom serviced apartments, all individually designed to the very highest standard.  Many of the apartments also have a balcony or outside terrace, perfect for al-fresco dining. Elegance is paramount and the attention to detail in each apartment is superb, yet whilst staying here you will feel perfectly at home as the apartments also give a feel of warmth and comfort.  Whilst staying here you will benefit from daily maid service, 24 hour concierge and complimentary membership to the wonderful Aquilla gym and spa.  These Knightsbridge Serviced Apartments really are a superb choice.

Another of our top choices is Claverley Court.  This extremely attractive property was recently converted into 5 Star Knightsbridge serviced apartments.  Here you will experience real luxury and you can choose from a range of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom serviced apartments.  There are also 2 wonderful 3 bedroom penthouse apartments which are absolutely gorgeous!

If your preference is for a discreet 5 Star boutique hotel, look no further than The Knightsbridge Hotel on Beaufort Gardens.  All of the luxurious rooms and suites have been interior designed by Kit Kemp in her fresh English style.  This is a real hidden gem which we highly recommend.

For further information and exclusive rates at these Knightsbridge serviced apartments and boutique hotels contact us at enquiries@jandapartments.com or call us on +44 (0)1797 253 823

Stay in a luxurious suite at The Knightsbridge Hotel

The elegant entrance to Claverley Court Serviced Apartments

J&K Apartments Take Park in The London Moonwalk

THE LONDON MOONWALK

On Saturday 11^th May, some friends and I will be power walking a half marathon through London in the middle of the night, in our bras!   It is The London Moonwalk 2013 with the aim of raising money to fight Breast Cancer.

Each year Walk the Walk brings over 30,000 walkers together with the united aim of raising awareness and raising funds to fight breast cancer.  Did you know that 1 in 8 women in the UK will experience some form of breast cancer in their lifetime?  130 women every day are diagnosed with breast cancer.  1000 women a month lose their life to breast cancer.

Last year, together with volunteers, walkers and supporters Walk the Walk raised in excess of £8.00 .3 million!  As an organization, Walk the Walk has recognised the importance of emotional cancer support.  Over the past year grants have included CancerKin  – to support women in East London. This area currently has the highest mortality rate for breast cancer.  Funds have been granted to FACT who offer wonderful care and support to patients in the North East.  Scalp Cooling across the UK as been granted in excess of £5.00 million supplying 454 machines to 165 hospitals throughout the UK.  Although hair loss is not life threatening, the impact can be quite devastating. With a success rate of between 60-90%, these machines are giving cancer patients the best chance to keep their hair whilst undergoing chemotherapy.

Walking has been described by researchers as ‘the nearest activity to perfect exercise’.  It is certainly the most natural and probably the most accessible sport you could take up.  Walking is suitable for all ages and offers and array of health benefits as well as being low impact, thus being a sport with a low risk of injury.  Regular walking also improves posture by developing greater core stability and strengthening your lower back.  It is excellent for weight loss. Did you know that if you walk four times per week for 45 minutes at a pace that increases your heart rate, you could lose up to 18lbs in weight without even changing your diet?

There is strong scientific evidence that physical activity and walking specifically, reduces the risk of breast cancer.  The great thing about walking is that it is something that can be so easily incorporated into your daily life making you feel better inside and out!
So – although at the moment, I am not really looking forward to walking the streets of London in my bra, I am very pleased to be doing something positive and doing my bit to raise money to fight breast cancer.

Some of our luxury serviced apartments at The Sloane Club in Knightsbridge have very kindly let us use an apartment for the night.  It will be great to come back to a comfortable bed after all those miles, even if it is only for a few hours!  Thank you The Sloane Club.

If you did want to sponsor me, please follow the link below.  It really is a great cause.
http://www.walkthewalkfundraising.org/busters

Thank you.
Kate Griffin

Kensington Gardens

 Kensington Gardens

A Very Royal and Very Magical Park

Kensington Gardens is a charming oasis in the very heart of London.  Originally part of Hyde Park, King William III purchased it back in 1689.  King William unfortunately suffered from asthma and he loved the tranquility and fresh air of the area so much, that he commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to design the quite stunning and imposing Kensington Palace.  In 1704, Queen Anne then extended the gardens even further by “transferring” 30 acres of land from Hyde Park!  She was also responsible for creating the beautiful Orangery, now a fabulous restaurant, where you can take lunch or indulge in a delicious afternoon tea.

We at J&K Apartments adore Kensington Gardens – a real spectacle and an elegant landscape where one can relax, take a picnic or enjoy a pleasant stroll.  It is also a perfect place to take your dog for a walk.  As well as the Orangery, you can also enjoy a light snack in The Broadwalk Cafe and there are several refreshment points located through the park for ice cream, hot and cold drinks, pastries and wraps.  You can even hire your own deckchair from March – October!

Whilst strolling through this magnificent park, there are several attractions which are not to be missed.  The Albert Memorial is probably one of London’s most recognized and ornate monuments. It commemorates the death of Prince Albert in 1861.  Take time to admire the splendor of the Italian Gardens, a 150 year old ornamental water garden which was designed and created as a very special gift from Prince Albert to his beloved Queen Victoria (who was born at Kensington Palace and lived there until she became Queen in 1837).

There are also many statues and sculptures to be admired throughout the park.  The Physical Energy was installed in 1907 by George Frederick Watts and commemorates Sir Cecil Rhodes.  A quite imposing statue made in bronze, it depicts a man on horseback.   Another interesting sculpture is The Arch by the renowned artist, Henry Moore who presented it to the nation in 1980.  This is a 6 metre high Roman travertine piece situated on the north bank of the Long Water.  The Speke Monument is a reflective piece dedicated to John Hanning Speke, the explorer who discovered Lake Victoria and led many expeditions to The Nile.

This is also a wonderful and quite magical place for children to visit.  The Peter Pan statue is really charming and depicts squirrels, rabbits, mice and fairies climbing up to Peter.  Appropriately, Kensington Gardens was used as a location for the film “Finding Neverland”, starring Kate Winslet and Johnny Depp.  To add to the magic, take your children to see The Elfin Oak, created from the hollow trunk of an old oak.  Elves, fairies and woodland animals are beautifully carved into the wood and this is located alongside The Diana Memorial Playground, a wonderful area for children to play, use their imagination and explore. J&K Apartments highly recommend this as part of a great family day out.

Diana, Princess of Wales who famously lived here, is also remembered on the Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Walk.  This is a reflective 7 mile walk, marked by 90 plaques along the way to remind us of famous buildings and locations associated with The Princess during her life.
All in all, Kensington Gardens is one of the most beautiful, elegant, magical and tranquil parks in London and is not to be missed. It’s certainly one of our favorite areas in London.

We offer a range of serviced apartments located within easy walking distance of The Palace and Gardens. The Milestone Hotel is in a prime situation just opposite and 51 Kensington Court is tucked away in a quiet street just around the corner.  Cheval Hyde Park Gate and Cheval Thorney Court are both in wonderful Kensington locations and are just a short stroll away. 

Do contact us at enquiries@jandkapartments.com for details of these wonderful apartments and we will be delighted to offer you the very best preferential rates.

We recommend dining at The Orangery!

The ornate Albert Memorial at Kensington Gardens

J&K Apartments - The Blue Plaques of London

Interesting facts about London’s little blue plaques

London’s great landmarks need little introduction. Historic, impressive, inspired and inspiring or in many cases, all of the above. Splendid as they all are, easy to list and magnificent to behold, if you must be fussy, the only thing you could possibly say is that they are… well a bit…obvious.
If you’ve already ticked those boxes and fancy something slightly more adventurous, perhaps more investigative and you prefer your tourism a little less straightforward then a trail of ancestral footsteps awaits you.

The Blue Plaques (although some earlier ones are brown) are dotted all over the UK but densely congregated in the Capital. They each commemorate a significant historic, cultural figure by London residence, birthplace or workplace. There are over 850 of these clay discs fixed to addresses around Greater London and if you’re staying at any of our centrally located residences you are sure to be close to dozens of noteworthy sites.

This wonderful scheme is run by English Heritage and dates back to 1866 making it the oldest of its kind in the world. The very first plaque was dedicated at the birthplace of Lord Byron in Cavendish Square. That house was demolished a little over 20 years later leaving the earliest surviving plaque dedicated to Napolean III on King Street, St. James’s. There are some quirky coincidences too. If you visit Brook Street in Mayfair you will see 2 very neighbourly plaques just four windows apart. One for Handel the other for Hendrix.

Whether you are searching for influential artists, authors, philosophers, statesmen, politicians, musicians, poets or sporting figures you cannot be disappointed by the historical and cultural significance of the legends behind each of the names on these famous blue plaques.

If we have appealed to your sense of discovery and adventure then I expect you would be interested to know some more notables amongst the hundreds of hugely significant commemorations. Without giving away too much then, all within a mile or two of Central London you can find explanatory blue plaques dedicated to The Last Bourbon King of France, The Last Viceroy of India, The King of The Zulus or to Agatha Christie, to Captain James Cook, to Oscar Wilde, to Charlie Chaplin, to George Orwell or Samuel Pepys, to Laurence Olivier, HG Wells, Horatio Nelson, Charles Darwin or Vincent Van Gogh. That is to name only a glorious few.

Whether you seek them out on a dedicated route or spot them at random as you travel through London, these English Heritage Blue Plaques are unmistakeable. Whether in apparent modesty or obvious grandeur, the locations and subjects always give pause for a thought or two and often inspire further and immediate inquiry. Cultural trails like no-other.

51 Buckingham Gate

51 Buckingham Gate, London Serviced Apartments

Introducing The Jaguar Suite

We are delighted to showcase the worlds only Jaguar Suite at 51 Buckingham Gate by Taj Hotels.

Situated in the heart of Westminster, 51 Buckingham Gate offers a range of the most luxurious serviced apartments and suites in London.  The Jaguar Suite is truly the jewel in the crown.  The initial concept and design was overseen by Jaguar’s very own in-house Design Director, Ian Callum and he arranged the bespoke artwork, which is unique to this wonderful London serviced apartment. The design is one which is timeless, elegant and stylish, using subtle references to Jaguar through the artwork which will fascinate and delight fans of motoring history.

From the moment you step through the door of The Jaguar Suite, you will be amazed at the attention to detail and stunning high quality of the design, from the sleek wood panelling to the subtle Jaguar wave motifs and collectors items which are used throughout the apartment.  The design features of the apartment really do take your breath away!  The innovative minimalistic clean-fuel fireplace reflects the shape of the brand’s hallmark back window and the finest Italian leather used in the car’s interior has also been used in the apartment.  Ebony veneer doors and custom-made Jaguar wallpaper are amongst other beautiful features.

Whilst staying at The Jaguar Suite you can enjoy 170 sq metres of pure luxury including 2 spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms featuring the latest in mood lighting, guest cloakroom, living room, dining room/meeting room, study and a fully fitted and equipped kitchen.  Exclusive to The Jaguar Suite and with the compliments of 51 Buckingham Gate, you can enjoy your own chauffeur driven Jaguar for your entire stay, butler service, a complimentary private bar and complimentary Wi-Fi.  If it’s privacy, luxury, indulgence and stylish living you’re looking for, then you have found it here!


51 Buckingham Gate also offers a range of luxurious Junior Suites, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, along with other signature suites including The Cinema Suite, The Presidential Suite and The Prime Ministers Suite.  Whilst staying here you have all the luxuries you would expect to find at at 5 star property, including 24 hour concierge, 24 hour room service, library bar and daily maid service.  You can also make full use of the wonderful gym and spa at The Spa at 51 and also the wonderful award winning restaurants at Quilon, Bistro 51 and The Courtyard at 51.

The location is superb!  You are within easy walking distance of Buckingham Palace and the tranquility of St. James’s Park and Green Park.  The fabulous boutiques, stores and award winning restaurants of Mayfair, Piccadilly, Belgravia and Knightsbridge are all a very short drive away.
J&K Apartments are delighted to offer exclusive discounted rates on all the apartments and suites here, including The Jaguar Suite.

Do contact us on +44 (0)1797 253 823 or email us at enquiries@jandkapartments.com and we will be delighted to make all the arrangements for the most luxurious stay in London you have ever experienced.

You have your own private study in The Jaguar Suite

The dining room in The Jaguar Suite can also be used as an executive meeting room.

Mood lighting in one of the stunning bathrooms in The Jaguar Suite

Relax in luxury in the Jaguar Suite at 51 Buckingham Gate

The stunning living room in The Jaguar Suite at 51 Buckingham Gate

The stylish, yet extremely comfortable living room in The Jaguar Suite at 51 Buckingham Gate

Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living

The penthouse is the largest luxury serviced apartment in Mayfair at The Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living.

Situated in the heart of Park Lane, The Grosvenor House apartments by Jumeirah Living offer all the facilities of a five star hotel and one of London’s most exclusive addresses.  No detail has been overlooked from daily maid service to 24 hour concierge and state of the art technology. Each of these stylish suites feature everything you could expect from a luxury hotel but are personalised to suit each clients individual requirements.

The largest suite at The Grosvenor House Apartments is called ‘The Grosvenor’ and has its own baby grand piano!  Located on the top floor of this iconic building, this penthouse is the crowning glory of The Grosvenor House.  The delightful apartment is over 448 sq metres and with absolutely no expense spared, guests can entertain friends in the glamorous art deco style living and dining areas which are also complete with gas fires.  The private lift offers privacy and exclusivity and the long private balconies offer stunning views overlooking Hyde Park and beyond.  Each penthouse apartment features bespoke study areas with a selection of books, games and travel accessories.  Each penthouse is equipped with well appointed media rooms with large televisions and games consoles.

J&K Apartments have secured exclusive rates with The Grosvenor House apartments, including the penthouses.  If you have not stayed at The Grosvenor House before, you may be interested to look at the, mainly first class, reviews on Trip Advisor

The location offers convenient access to the major airports and the private airfields.  Local transport links are within walking distance from the apartments and taxis or private transfers can of course be easily arranged.

The penthouse facilities and services include;
Private check in, 24 hour room service, daily maid service, complimentary Wi-Fi, complimentary local calls, fully fitted kitchen with gas hob, iPod docking stations and DVD player, two line telephones, in-room safe, fine crockery, cutlery and glassware, complimentary newspapers and magazines, welcome gift pack upon arrival, on site fitness room, an extensive range of in-residence Spa Illuminata treatments, business and bespoke shopping services, private butler service, complimentary bottle of champagne upon arrival, evening canapés, complimentary private bar, children’s pack available, complimentary return airport transfer, luxurious toiletries.

The list is endless and nothing is too much to ask as these luxury apartments.   A five star London apartment with five star facilities in a five star location!

Do contact us on +44 (0)1797 253 823 and we will be delighted to make your stay in London the best it can be!

The sitting room in the penthouse apartment

The beautiful dining room in The Grosvenor Suite penthouse

The Grosvenor House balcony with amazing views over Hyde Park and beyond

Mayfair Serviced Apartments

Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London W1

Its’ History, Restaurants and Serviced Apartments

Shepherd market, a small enclave in the heart of Mayfair and tucked away behind Piccadilly, is a charming small square and piazza developed between 1735-46 by Edward Shepherd. It comprises several small side streets with a variety of boutiques, restaurants, bistros and impressive Victorian pubs.

Mayfair itself is named after the fifteen-day fair that took place in the area that is today known as Shepherd Market.  The fair was first established by James II in the 1680’s, primarily for trading cattle. Over the years the fair grew in popularity and size, attracting both rich and poor.  However, the gentrification of the area in the 18th century brought the festival to an end. A local architect and developer named Edward Shepherd, was commissioned to develop the site. It was finished in the mid 18th century, designed with paved alleys, a duck pond, and a 2 storey market, topped with a theatre.

During the 1920′s, Shepherd Market became a sought after address for some of London’s most refined inhabitants, actors and writers including Michael Arlen who used Shepherd Market as the setting for his novel “The Green Hat”.  The village-like area around Shepherd Market has something of a colourful reputation. It was at 9 Curzon Place that Cass Elliot (Mama Cass) of The Mamas and Papas died in 1974, and, just 4 years later, Keith Moon of The Who, died of an overdose. In the 1980s, Shepherd Market was where politician Jeffrey Archer met the prostitute Monica Coghlan, an encounter which eventually led to his imprisonment. Next to Shepherd Market is Half Moon Street, where the fictional Bertie Wooster of P.G. Wodehouse’s novels lived, and where in 1763 the real James Boswell (newly arrived from Edinburgh) took lodgings and wrote his defamatory diary.

Shepherd Market these days remains a relaxing and interesting enclave. There is a wide range of diverse restaurants around Shepherd Market’s main square and in its surrounding streets.

Positioned in probably the market square’s most prominent location is ‘L’Artise Muscle.’ This wonderful restaurant is the epitome of classic French charm and rustic cooking.  It almost appears to have been plucked from a Parisian lane with its warming, provincial décor.

 

On Shepherd Street itself, is‘L’Autre,’ a quirky Polish-Mexican bistro. A unique restaurant where you can order seafood enchiladas followed by rabbit stew! Just across the street are some excellent Turkish, Iranian and Lebanese restaurants, offering mouth-watering mezze menus and al fresco dining.  Then just a few steps away is ‘Misto,’ an authentic Italian restaurant. Misto offers classic Italian pasta dishes and real pizza (baked in a pizza oven).   It really is great value for money considering its location!

 

On the West side of the market, you will find one of London’s best French restaurants - ‘Le Boudin Blanc,’.  This is a very welcoming and elegant eaterie with lots of class!  The menu offers some traditional French dishes, such as escargots and steak tartare, yet you can also choose from more modern specialities such as monkfish and chorizo skewers or its signature ‘Boudin Blanc’ (white pudding sausage), encompassing chicken, ham hock and veal sweetbread. 

Shepherd Market also has no less than 4 great pubs and numerous eclectic shops and boutiques.  It really is a very special place – a wonderfully quiet surprise right in the heart of bustling Mayfair.  And the great news is……….you can stay in your very own serviced apartment here!  We offer a range of luxurious serviced apartments in and around Shepherd Market which can be rented for a few nights, weeks or even months.

The first apartment we can offer is Mayfair House, a charming and luxurious property located just on the edge of the square.  Here you can choose from a range of newly refurbished 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom serviced apartments including a fabulous penthouse apartment!  With 24 hour concierge and a private fitness room, this really is a great choice.

Just around the corner on Half Moon Street is The Flemings Hotel and Serviced Apartments.  If you are looking for a luxurious serviced apartment with all the benefits of a 5* hotel, look no further.  Here you can choose from a range of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom serviced apartments, some with their own private roof terrace.  We can offer you a range of traditionally designed apartments or newly refurbished contemporary styled apartments.  You can stay for just a few nights, weeks or even months.  With 24 hour concierge, 24 hour room service, an award winning restaurant and cocktail bar, this is really a very special place to stay.

We also offer a selection of serviced apartments which are within a short 3 – 5 minute walk of Shepherd Market.  These include Arlington House, 20 Hertford Street, 17 Hertford Street, Shaw House and Clarges Street.  All fantastic serviced apartments.

Contact us for special discounted rates at enquiries@jandkapartments.com  or visit www.jandkapartments.com for further details. We look forward to hearing from you!

Which London Serviced Apartment Do I Stay At......?

London Gift Fairs and Exhibitions for 2013

And The Best London Serviced Apartments To Stay At 

For Exhibitors and Visitors Alike

There are some excellent exhibitions and gift fairs in London where you really can find some unique products.  We have discovered many interesting up and coming businesses as well as long established companies that are perhaps not so readily found online.

Saturday 20^th April is a fun day in London as it is the Feast of St George’s fair in Trafalgar Square.  A free day of fun for all the family with many excellent stall holders exhibiting their wares.   A particular favourite of ours is a company called Bobbins.  Established for over 25 years, Bobbins sells wonderful home furnishings, ranging from duvet covers and bedspreads to tablecloths, needlepoint rugs and pure cotton nightwear.  Jackie from Bobbins will be exhibiting at the Feast of St George’s fair as well as many of the other events listed below.

The Spirit of Summer fair is at Olympia between 15^th – 18^th May.   An very well organized event where you can spend between one and four days immersing yourself in everything from interior decoration, fashion accessories, books, antiques and art, games, toys and presents. The exhibitors are very carefully chosen to ensure that only the finest products and services are on offer at the Spirit of Summer fair. It is always very well attended and attracts thousands of visitors.

We recommend Templeton Place apartments or Point West apartments if you are looking to stay in London as they are very convenient if you are visiting Olympia.

The next Asthma gift fair at The Hurlingham  Club will be held on Thursday 10^th October. There will be a private view on Wednesday 9^th October.  Approximately 70 stall holders sell their goods ranging from toys, boutique clothes and accessories to gourmet foods and fine home furnishings.

The Country Living Christmas fair this year takes place between 30^th October and 3^rd November at the Business Design Centre in Islington.  We have some apartments within walking distance to the Business Design Centre on City Road which are perfect for both stall holders and visitors to the show.  It is often a good idea to stay a night of two in London as these events are often so big, it is hard to take it all in, in one day alone (and to carry your shopping!)

The Spirit of Christmas at Olympia this year will be between  5^th – 10^th November.  This is one not to miss and you could most certainly complete all your Christmas shopping under one very big roof!  A lovely array of festive delights and presents to tempt and we are sure you would find something for even the trickiest person for whom to buy!

If you are exhibiting or planning to visit any of these wonderful exhibitions and fairs, contact us for further information on the best London Serviced Apartments to stay at!  www.jandkapartments.com