Afternoon tea at the Milestone Hotel & Residences is a somewhat sacred affair— worthy, as my mother would have said, of “putting on the dog.”
After all, we’re seated in a chandelier-clad tearoom in create this special tribute suite. The Meghan is wonderfully a landmark Victorian mansion, nibbling on delicate egg and tuna sandwiches, petits fours and warm scones with jam and clotted cream. The menu has literally hundreds of hand-picked teas from around the world. Divine!
We’re but steps away from Kensington Palace in the Royal Borough of Kensington, and keen for a sneak peak tour of the hotel’s two recently re-imagined suites: The Meghan and the 106 Grand Master. The latter is affectionately known as the “Hermès Suite” because of its distinguished display of vintage Hermès scarves, elegantly framed and presented on luxuriously upholstered white velvet walls. Twelve-foot- high coffered ceilings give the sensation of endless space, and magnificent floor-to-ceiling doors lead to the suite’s private garden-view balcony.
The Meghan is, quite clearly, a delightful tribute to the Duchess of Sussex. Our guide, hotel general manager Andrew Pike, enthusiastically explains that Beatrice and Toni Tollman, the family team that owns the Red Carnation Collection, worked with master craftspeople and artisans to unique, with three large windows that overlook the palace and its gardens, where several young royals now reside. The suite’s extraordinary elegance is also accentuated by an exquisite 18th century ebonized French bureau plat, Giacometti-style chairs and original contemporary art. A vast black and white marble bathroom is set behind majestic bronzed mirrored double doors, and there’s even a handmade Savoir bed surrounded by custom-designed Indian silks.
The launch of the Milestone’s new suites comes on the heels of the unveiling of six fully refurbished two- and three-bed- room residences. Each boasts exquisite fabrics, antique or custom-made furnishings, rare artworks, vintage mirrors and hand-crafted Murano glass chandeliers. It’s the perfect home- away-from-home for longer-staying guests looking to be in the heart of Kensington, London’s most desirable village.
I can’t blame Mr. Pike for hoping that one day, Meghan, Harry and little Archie will pop in for a sleepover.
