You know what caught me off guard about this place? The building itself – Nell Gwynn House has this proper old-school Chelsea feel that you don’t expect from apartment listings. I mean, you’re literally a three-minute walk from Harrods’ back entrance (the one on Hans Crescent that locals actually use), but somehow it feels tucked away from all that Knightsbridge madness.
The flat itself is honestly quite smart – whoever designed it actually thought about how people live, not just how spaces photograph. The bedroom gets morning light without being obnoxiously bright, and there’s enough room to properly unpack, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many London places skimp on storage. The kitchen’s compact but functional – I actually cooked a proper breakfast, though let’s be real, with Daylesford just around the corner on Pimlico Road, you might not bother. The whole setup feels more like borrowing a friend’s place than staying in typical tourist accommodation.
Location-wise, this is where it gets interesting. Sloane Avenue puts you in that sweet spot where you can walk to Sloane Square in about eight minutes (perfect for the tube or just people-watching), but you’re also close enough to South Ken that the museums are totally doable on foot – though honestly, the V&A is much more pleasant than fighting the crowds at the Natural History Museum. What I really appreciated was being near the King’s Road without being on it – you get all the Chelsea perks without the weekend tourist chaos. The Saatchi Gallery is practically next door if you’re into contemporary art, and there’s something quite nice about having actual neighborhood spots like the little Tesco on Sydney Street for when you need basics. Parking’s typically London annoying, but the building’s pretty quiet considering you’re in central Chelsea – double glazing does its job. The 8.1 rating feels about right; it’s not trying to be fancy, just comfortable and well-located, which honestly matters more than marble bathrooms when you’re exploring London.