Deciding where to stay might be challenging at times. Should you stay in a classic hotel with stunning interior design, or would the ease and convenience of a vacation rental be enough to influence your decision in favour of an alternative type of accommodation?
You won't have to make a choice when you stay at The Other House since it combines the most desirable aspects of apartment living and hotel life, as well as the exclusivity of a private club. The more exclusive a location is, the more we want to be a part of it. This is precisely why the fact that the brand has a private club makes its idea that much more appealing.
By no means is this idea of exclusivity new, but the manner it has emerged in recent years is. Traditional stodgy corporate clubs have given way to the hip, private venues used by creatives and entrepreneurs as locations to network, mingle, work, or unwind. These elite locations, which include restaurants, spas, and private screening rooms, are where all the cool kids hang out these days. Soho House is among the most well-known instances; you're familiar with the term.
However, in contrast to Soho House, which debuted in July 2022, The Other House invites all residents (as visitors are referred to) to its Private Club section, which includes an atrium lounging area, a smoky, quiet speakeasy club, an indoor pool, and a gym. Like with Soho House and other such locations, non-members are not prohibited from using any on-site amenities. Additionally, guests may stay in roomy lodgings in London's affluent South Kensington area.
I chose to check out The Other House on a brief two-night business trip to London because I was curious to experience this part-hotel, part-apartment alternative for myself and see whether the concept would be as intriguing in person as it seemed on paper. The Other House brand and the experience of staying in this unusual sort of lodging are covered in detail here.
The style and design are appropriate.
Anyone who has travelled to London is aware of how affluent South Kensington's regal vibe is. The facade of The Other House is similar to conventional Victorian townhouses.
However, you'll feel as though you've been transported to another universe as soon as you step inside the jewel-toned, accessory-adorned lobby. With its deep, cosy colours and animal-themed patterns on everything from chairs to toss cushions, the stylish decor reminded me of "White Lotus."
Because of the velvet furniture in deep hues and the many decorations, such as comical gold monkeys, backgammon boards, and antique books, the house managed to exude an air of both chicness and friendliness at the same time.
The apartments are quite upscale and are furnished with a wide variety of conveniences.
You won't find any dreary halls or monotonous room numbers at The Other House since the atmosphere here is fashionable yet friendly. Because of this, the hotel does not employ room numbers. Instead of using typical numbers to name the rooms, street addresses are used instead. For example, the room I slept in was number 10 on O'Brien. This gives the notion of marking the rooms a bit more personality.
My living quarters were in a traditional Club Originals flat, which is the property's take on a studio apartment. However, The Alternative House offers a variety of other room arrangements, some of which include as many as three bedrooms. The apartment was rather large for a studio in London, which typically start at approximately 250 square feet and go up from there. It had a kitchenette that was fully stocked with appliances, a small dining table with seating for two, and a sitting room with a sofa and a television. The sitting area and the bedroom space, which included a sizable closet, were physically separated from one another by a barrier.
I liked how the flat's decor echoed that of the hotel as a whole, however, it was a little more subdued and combined jewel tones with luxurious fabric options like velvet and tartan. The kitchenette's abundance of facilities, which also included an espresso maker with pods, a tea kettle, a toaster, and a microwave, was much welcomed. Even detergent capsules for the little dishwasher and dish soap for the sink were available.
There are several lacking hotel-specific specifics.
The other areas of the accommodation missed certain standard hotel amenities, while the kitchenette offered about everything I could need. I regretted not having a "Do Not Disturb" sign when a maid unexpectedly barged into my room immediately after I arrived. She was embarrassed, but this could have been easily prevented if I had posted the right notice on my door.
Another feature missing from the rooms is a phone. You're urged to utilise WhatsApp on your phone to get in touch with the front desk instead. Although it is not currently accessible for download, guests will eventually have access to an Other House-developed app to utilise for on-property requests.
Service is inconsistent.
Other staff members weren't quite as helpful as Vanessa at the front desk, who eventually became my go-to "House Jack" (what the property refers to as staff members that assist with everything from check-in to concierge services to food and beverage orders). When I checked in, another service person didn't provide me with much helpful data regarding the property, and I also received contradicting information from other staff members.
The staff at the bar, though, was consistently cordial and accommodating. If only the restaurant staff could be claimed to be similarly organised and overworked during my visit. I was perplexed by the inconsistent quality of the service, especially given that the hotel had been operating for about six months at the time I visited.
I didn't understand there was a simpler method to acquire assistance or service when I required it until Vanessa informed me that I could get in touch with the House Jacks via WhatsApp.
It isn't the best for distant work.
Given that the Club Originals apartments lack desks and comfy seats for working in, digital nomads may not be thrilled with them. The circular dining table was the ideal location for me to work in my room. Though I did appreciate that the table had a flap you could lower for a better angle, it wasn't a comfy working.
There was no good place on the farm for working for a long time anywhere else. There were no comfortable chairs for working in the Private Club's Hogsmire atrium, which also had a few outlets but was occasionally loud.
Similarly, there were no tables or desks large enough for you to use your computer comfortably in the lobby. However, the wonderful library area in the lobby was rather peaceful, so I ended up working there while sitting on my lap. I was sent back upstairs as soon as my laptop's battery started to die because another passenger was using the room's only plug to charge her laptop.
The Private Club idea is modern and chic.
Private member clubs often come to mind as being upscale, and this one is no exception. With a few separate areas, it blends in with the architecture of the building.
The Other Space, the component of The Other House dedicated to well-being, has a spa and well-being space with treatment rooms, a gym, and a modest yet hospitable indoor pool.
A screening room, the brilliant Hogsmire atrium, and a magnificent, secret speak-easy-style lounge and bar named The Keeping Room and The Den are also located within the Private Club. These two areas are referred to as The Keeping Room and The Den, respectively.
A visitor may access any area.
The exclusivity of private clubs is one of its most sought-after features. At The Other House, fortunately, such is not the case. You'll feel even more pampered throughout your stay because all visitors get access to the property's Private Club areas, just like members do.
Some social settings are empty.
I couldn't wait to check out the Private Club since I was curious about the atmosphere. Around 2 p.m., the Hogsmire atrium was very busy, but as the day wore on, there were fewer and fewer people chatting and drinking coffee there. It was entirely vacant later in the evening.
I made the decision to go to The Den to shake things up, expecting to see a bustling happy hour scene there with plenty of people enjoying cocktails and perhaps someone playing some upbeat piano music. However, there were just three men on the sofa by the fire when I made my big entry, and they were all drinking whisky and having a meaningful conversation. The likelihood that a captivating stranger would invite me to play backgammon was poor to none.
I shortly became bored and decided to return upstairs to the lobby to wait for friends. We chose to spend our time in the upstairs Owl & Monkey pub because the environment downstairs was so uninspiring. This bar had a dark, seductive vibe and had a lot more patrons as well as a helpful staff. At nine o'clock, I tried to go back to The Den again, but it was deserted.
What a waste of my fascinating private club experience. I visited twice, and neither time did I find any employees.
I explained the lack of visitors at the Private Club by pointing out that I went there on a Tuesday and that this building is still very new. Perhaps there weren't many customers on a weekday because it had only been operational for six months before my visit.
The two biggest concerns are sustainability and accessibility.
I was thrilled to see a lot of eco-friendly details during my stay as someone who strives to travel as responsibly as possible.
Start by taking advantage of The Other House's refillable glass water bottles, which are available in every room and on every dining table. Light cleaning is only offered upon request, and bath supplies are kept in bigger communal bottles, according to a rule that is enforced, according to the personnel, for ecological reasons. A low-waste policy is in force at The Other Kitchen and The Owl & Monkey bar as well. This policy calls for utilising British buckthorn instead of limes and fruit peels as cocktail garnishes. Additionally, the building made every effort to get its furnishings and décor from eco-friendly companies and regional British suppliers.
Furthermore, I was happy to note that all of the guest amenities, including the dining and club rooms, are accessible so that those with disabilities may attend all of the on-site events. There are also accessible rooms that may be reserved.
There will soon be a second site.
Although The Other House only has one site right now in South Kensington, that will change in 2024 when the second property in London's Covent Garden neighbourhood, which is known for its shopping and entertainment, will open.
The Other House also intends to open other sites throughout London. The company intends to eventually open locations in New York City, assuming all goes according to plan.
Although often restricted, the food and beverages are delicious.
The property's restaurant, The Other Kitchen, serves both breakfast and lunch.
Several breakfast sandwiches, cereal bowls, yoghurts, smoothies, baked goods, juices, tea, and coffee are also available for breakfast. If you want to try everything on the menu, you can also get a full breakfast plate for 25 British pounds (about $31) that include a variety of other items.
I got boiling poached eggs on toast, which I paired with a cup of coffee, and it was all very fresh and tasty. But the service was slow and underwhelming, and at times it seemed like the waitstaff was chaotic.
Similar to the breakfast menu, the lunch menu was limited but complete, including a few salads, the same breakfast sandwiches, scones in a few varieties, several small plates, and a soup of the day. On a typically gloomy, rainy British day, I thought the 4.25 pounds ($5) of lentil soup was a cosy, tasty deal.
But much to my dismay, supper is not offered at The Other Kitchen. Later in the day and into the evening, the Private Club and Owl & Monkey bars above and below respectively serve small nibbles and beverages, but not enough to satisfy a complete dinner.
Nevertheless, I chose to try the short rib sliders at Owl & Monkey, which I adored. The accompanying drinks I ordered were fantastic and went perfectly with the delicate and flavorful steak. I wouldn't have felt the need to go out for supper if the amounts had been bigger.
Affordable prices
I spent 350 pounds per night ($429 approx.) for my two nights at The Other House. On the days I travelled in November, rates were comparable to those at conventional hotels in the heart of London.
If you'd rather, you may choose to become a club member, which gives you access to all club areas and a complete schedule of membership activities. Getting a club membership here is probably going to be simpler than getting one at other private club locations. There are no restrictions on who may join based on their position or occupation, however, the brand does seek out individuals who care about the social effect. A 350-pound ($429 approximately) one-time membership charge is required for membership, which starts at 1,500 pounds ($1,841) each year.
To rival Soho House, it still has a long way to go.
There are a few hitches to work out before The Other House can completely compete with a private members club and hotel as vast as one like Soho House, but it has the potential to flourish in the private club market owing to its lovely décor and kind (albeit occasionally ineffective) personnel.
On a Tuesday night, I visited London's Soho House, and it was lively, trendy, and busy. The Other House currently doesn't appear to have enough members to provide a comparable ambience in its Private Club on weekdays. Also hurting the Private Club are little things like the absence of information about the hours of operation and how to order beverages in The Den, which discourage customers from entering the venue in favour of the Owl & Monkey bar upstairs.
It would likely be more of a Soho House rival, though, if the hotel can address these minor concerns and perhaps increase its menu selection to include heartier supper dishes. Just make sure you leave your work at home as The Other House is more appropriate for vacation stays than it is for business trips.