Cannizaro House, Wimbledon, London

At the end of a trip to London we spent a couple of days in Wimbledon Village, the famous and elite neighbourhood where we used to live nearly 20 years ago. We stayed Cannizaro House on Wimbledon Common, and quickly discovered why this boutique hotel is one of London’s best kept secrets.

• Location: On Wimbledon Common, just outside Wimbledon Village.
• Accommodations: Ranging from standard rooms to spacious suites, there are 48 accomodations each with three styles of feature walls, comfy beds with good reading lights and some lovely leafy views.
• Dining options: The Hotel du Vin Wimbledon Orangerie and Bistro is a combination of a large, conservatory-like venue at the rear of the hotel overlooking the rolling green of Cannizaro Park, and a more formal dining area. On offer is hearty and Gallic inspired dishes for lunch and dinner, along with breakfast, in a luxury yet informal environment. There is also a lovely bar where you can enjoy a cocktail, a glass of wine, and a menu of lighter and less formal food.
• What else is there: The hotel doesn’t have any other facilities.
• What’s nearby: Cannizaro House is a 10-minute walk to Wimbledon Village, where you will find cafes, restaurants, specialty shops and more. There is horse riding close by, the All England Tennis Club is also within walking distance, and down “the hill” you will find a District Line train station which can get to into central London and beyond. 
• Why go: If you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of London, and into a romantic village-like atmosphere, Cannizaro House is ideal and ticks all the boxes.

The Space

Part of the Hotel du Vin group, Cannizaro House enjoys a prime location on the edge of Wimbledon Common on 34-acre of parkland called Cannizaro Park. The hotel is a 19th century country house, which became a boutique hotel back in 1908, and it has a rich history and aristocratic background playing host host to the rich and famous over the decades including Lord Tennyson, Oscar Wilde and the last Maharajah of the Punjab. Being a country house, the hotel has plenty of nooks and crannies, majestic staircases in the lobby, a gorgeous grand piano and lots of fascinating artwork and sculptures. It really has a home away from home feel, and even though it's formally classified as a four-star property, the building, its decor and staff is five-star all the way.

Where We Stayed

Our home for the night was a romantic suite, tucked away in a quiet part of the hotel. It had glorious views of the gardens, and was a nice combination of posh meets traditional with plenty of romantic touches. The suite had a dark moody decor rich in earth tones, and a feature wall, and had a lineup of features including a super comfy king size bed complete with crisp Egyptian cotton sheets, a handsprung mattress, and an impressive heavy leather bed head and end. The sitting area had a two seater sofa, chairs and a coffee table, and facilities include a Nespresso machine. The bathroom was also a major drawcard, veering away from the more traditional feel of the bedroom, and highlights of which included a separate walk in shower, a TV and underfloor heating, along with views across the gardens, and a gorgeous egg-shaped free standing bath by the window There were luxury toiletries, fluffy robes and slippers, and personalised mood lighting for when you fancy a long soak.

UltimateTravelMagazine.com Loves 

• The leafy, county-style views.
• The modern meets tradition ambience.
• Romantic touches including the bath.

Insider Tips  

• The most alluring suite is Château Mouton-Rothschild, which has a curving terrace facing the park on the top floor.
• If you plan on visiting for the tennis, book your accommodation here early as the hotel is very popular for good reason!  

The Details

Cannizaro House is located at West Side Common, Wimbledon, London SW19, www.hotelduvin.com/locations/wimbledon/