Fox Club

FOXY GALS AND THEIR GUYS can now go to ground at The Fox Club, the one-time lovenest of an 18th century courtesan and her amours, hidden in the heart of Mayfair.

Despite such racy associations – the house was once home to statesman Charles Fox, whose vices included “having a damn good time” – this little boutique bolthole is the sole of discretion. Run both as a private members’ club and a hotel, The Fox Club is for those seeking un-stuffy sophistication without over-the-top Mayfair glitz. We’d say it’s one of London’s best kept secrets.

Brilliantly located just off Piccadilly – Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park are just minutes away – the fab Fox offers easy access to most of London. It’s a fun and friendly place to unwind, dine well and bed down in appealing surroundings.

Plump cushions

Inside this Georgian London townhouse, there’s an invitingly cosy bar (where a fire burns merrily in winter) and an airy, glass-domed restaurant serving everything from breakfast to gastro-style dinners. Prints of bon vivant Mr Fox adorn the walls, and there are plenty of armchairs for lounging.

Handsome bedrooms – just nine – come with luxurious double-sprung mattresses, Egyptian cotton sheets, super-soft pillows, plump cushions and plenty of Molton Brown bathroom goodies. All have double sash windows and aircon, and even the names have a hint of naughtiness about them – all are named after the lovers of the fun-loving Mr Fox’s mistress.

Favourites include the Cavendish suite – a quiet roost at the back of the hotel with a drench shower and separate dressing area. Also made for hiding away (though some may find it a tad dark) is the Fox room on the lower ground floor.

Friendly and obliging staff – and the regulars who are Fox Club members – lend this bijou Mayfair bolthole a sociable and clubby vibe. We’d say it’s a den well worth discovering.

© Room for Romance