Sitting alongside a quiet avenue 10 minutes from Victoria Station, Georgian Home Lodge seems to be like another constructing within the space. Nevertheless, this unassuming, four-star Pimlico lodging is hiding a secret: tucked away within the resort is ‘The Wizard Chambers’. Promising to be a very magical keep, this spot offers a completely immersive expertise from bedtime to afternoon tea. Having grown up with the tales of a sure boy wizard, I’m a giant fan of all issues witchy, so couldn’t move up the chance to take a look at this resort myself.
The resort was initially constructed and opened in 1851, and continues to be run by the identical household (is there some philospher’s stone factor happening right here?!). It’s a Grade II-listed constructing, and boasts oodles of attraction. Going from reception to our room to the eating space meant following a labyrinth of hallways, and it positively gave off the texture of being a lot larger on the within that it seemed on the skin.
Frankly, I used to be completely enamoured with all of the little touches the resort had taken the time to think about, and it elicited a child-like pleasure from me as to what I’d discover subsequent. There’s even an in-house, two-person cinema (£40 complete for 3 hours), the place you’ll be able to sit and benefit from the Harry Potter movies!
The Wizard Chambers
Whereas the remainder of the Georgian Home Lodge cuts a slightly fashionable form, The Wizard Chambers are starkly totally different. ‘The cabinet below the steps’ this isn’t, although the chambers are accessed through an inconspicious door, and sit on the resort’s decrease degree.
Particular person chambers lead off from a portrait-filled, candlelit passageway, and the rooms themselves boast stained glass home windows, stone arches, and cauldrons. Once more, the extent of element right here is wild – from the john to the lights, all the things is in theme. At its centre sits velvet-clad four-poster beds, and I had such a cushty night time’s sleep. Though it’s technically summer time (lol, inform the rain that), I virtually cracked on the wooden burning range for added environment.
In stark distinction to the lowly lit, gothic vibes of the Wizard Chambers, breakfast is taken in a light-weight, vivid, intimate room in one other a part of the resort. You may select between a continental breakfast, cooked breakfast, or the particular wizarding menu. Whereas I opted for the standard poached egg and bacon on sourdough (omg, the eggs had been completed completely!), the particular wizarding pancakes virtually had me.
It’s price noting that The Wizard Chambers are dearer than the resort’s common rooms – nevertheless, it’s to be anticipated with the added alchemy. An ordinary Wizard Chamber keep is £329 per night time this summer time (inclusive of breakfast and extra, top-secret treats), whereas common rooms begin at simply £134. Away from the Wizard Chambers, I used to be slightly impressed that the resort affords beneficial single room charges; one thing usually exhausting to come back by as a solo traveller.
The Enchanted Afternoon Tea and potion-making expertise
The right match to an in a single day keep in The Wizard Chambers is a spellbinding afternoon tea and the potion-making expertise. Happening each weekend, the Enchanted Afternoon Tea affords a variety of tantalising treats. Throughout three tiers, there are inside out sandwiches, lightening bolt scones, and beastly bakewells, served in an open hen owl cage. The entire thing begins with a incredible florish of dry ice in a cauldron, which I beloved a lot, I requested if we may do once more. You even get somewhat witches’ hat when you eat.
Alongside the candy and savoury treats, friends can strive their hand at a potion-making expertise. Utilizing specialist components like Goblin Goo, Curious Caviar, peaflower syrup, Werewolf Fur, and Unicorn Tears, you’ll be able to concoct two cocktails or mocktails. You might be given directions simply as you’d count on from Potions class, delivered on a scroll. I simply beloved the entire interactivity of this (even when I used to be a bit crap at making the Curious Caviar myself). In the event you favor sipping much less flamboyant drinks, then go for gentle drinks resembling spellbound Butterscotch Beer, Tears of a Wizard Cream Soda, and Cauldron Cola.
Pre-booking is totally important for The Enchanted Afternoon Tea, and it’s open to friends and non friends alike. It prices £40 per grownup and £20 per youngster, and gluten-free and vegan variations can be found. The potion-making expertise is an extra £25 for cocktails (or £20 for mocktails); or you’ll be able to go for bottomless bubbles for £20pp as an alternative.
In the event you can pull your self away from the intriguing interiors and entire immersive world of wizardry, the Georgian Home Lodge is ideally situated to discover the capital and neighbouring areas, given its proximity to Victoria station. From theatre productions to devishly good eating choices, there may be loads to do – although I’ve to confess, I used to be simply completely enthralled with resort, so I didn’t do any of that. Having ticked it off the bucket checklist, I can confidently say “mischief, managed.”
