Suite Dreams

What’s in a name? When it comes to any of Home House’s 23 luxurious bedrooms and suites – everything. Each exquisitely decorated room has its own story to tell, and visitors’ first clue as to the delights that await them behind each door lie within the rooms’ names themselves…

Home House began as an idea in 1773 when George III’s architect, James Wyatt, was commissioned by Elizabeth, Countess of Home, to build a sophisticated ‘Pavilion’ designed purely for enjoyment and entertainment at N° 20 Portman Square. The Countess, aptly known as ‘The Queen of Hell’, was in her late 60s, twice widowed, childless – and rich.

Unfortunately, Wyatt was sacked from the project in 1775, and his competitor Robert Adam, one of the most celebrated architects of his day, was appointed to complete the interior of the house in the sumptuous Neo-Classical style. Today, N° 20 Portman Square is acknowledged as Adam’s finest surviving London town house, and although Home House’s breathtaking imperial staircase, which rises through the entire height of the house to a glass dome, may be what immediately grabs your attention when welcomed through our doors, the unique, resplendent bedrooms really need to be seen to be believed.

Once you step foot into your room for the evening, you’ll immediately be transported to a different time and place. Each of the 23 luxurious bedrooms and suites have a unique story to tell, with exquisite features that range from hand-painted silk wallpaper, baths made for royalty, to shimmering gold ceilings.

In 1784 after the Countess’ death, Home House was left to her young nephew who was still a schoolboy. The house was subsequently let to tenants including amongst others, the French Ambassador, the Dukes of Atholl and Newcastle, as well as Earl Grey (of tea fame).

One of our most impressive and spacious rooms is the Duke of Newcastle suite, named after Henry Pelham Fiennes Pelham-Clinton, the 4th Duke of Newcastle-under-Lyne. A British nobleman and

Duke of Atholl

Duke of Newcastle

politician who played a leading part in British politics in the late 1820s and early 1830s, Pelham-Clinton embarked upon life with many personal advantages, and with a considerable fortune.

He married great heiress Georgiana Elizabeth, daughter of Edward Miller Mundy of Shipley, Derbyshire, served as Lord Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire from 1809 to 1839, and was also Steward of Sherwood Forest and of Folewood Park. If that wasn’t enough, in 1812 he was made a Knight of the Garter.

Not everything was plain sailing however, and he certainly ruffled some feathers. Notably, in 1821, he published a letter to the Lord Liverpool protesting against a Bill for Catholic Emancipation, and although he did not hold any national office, he was extremely active in politics.

From about 1826 he became one of the leaders of the so-called ‘Ultra-Tory’ faction, staunchly supporting the traditional establishment of Church, Country and State – although he always rejected the label of Tory.

He was also a vehement opponent of electoral reform, and this stance led to attacks on his property during the Reform Bill Riots of 1831. Nottingham Castle was burnt to the ground and his residences at Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire and Portman Square, London also had to be fortified against a mob.

Just as well that he had the light and airy Duke of Newcastle suite at Home House to make use of, then. Comprising an elegant lounge, bedroom and bathroom, this grand room boasts views overlooking Portman Square through no fewer than four impressive Georgian sash windows, and is one of the most majestic bedrooms in London.

Lined with exquisite dark green wallpaper, this large bedroom is flooded with natural light and features the Duke of Newcastle’s actual mirror, and will lure you in with its stunning half tester super kingsize bed complete with heavy drapes that are fit for a king, queen – or duke. This large, plush bed is adorned with intricately embroidered

velvet cushions that scream luxury – complemented perfectly with a dark wooden finish – a theme which is reflected in the rest of the stately furniture.

The opulent bed will likely vie for your attention, but little touches like the ornate, understated chandelier, the heavy red and gold curtains in the walkway, large fireplace, the red, ornate rug that perfectly offsets the room’s green, and the black and white paintings that hark back to a time gone by all contribute to the room’s lavishness.

The bathroom is not to be outdone, however. Guests will be soothed by this pale green, brightly lit, cleanly-designed room, which is all turquoise squares and hard angles aside from the large archway that perfectly frames an impressive marble bath.

Meanwhile, the lounge continues the green theme, offset by two plush, red velvet sofas, large, gold-framed paintings and a fireplace – the perfect place to relax, take tea or get a bit of work done.

Our Duke of Anthol room is also something to behold, and is named after John Murray, the 4th Duke of Atholl and Scottish peer.

In 1786 he was created Baron Murray, of Stanley in the County of Gloucester, and Earl Strange in the Peerage of Great Britain, which gave him an automatic seat in the House of Lords. He later served as Lord-Lieutenant of Perthshire from 1794 to 1830 and was sworn of the Privy Council in 1797.

In 1800 he was made a Knight of the Thistle, and in 1793 was appointed Captain-General and Governor in Chief of the Isle of Man. He succeeded his mother in the barony of Strange in 1805 and was also Grand Master of the Antient Grand Lodge of England from 1775 until 1781 and again from 1791 until 1812.

Interestingly, he introduced the Japanese Larch into Britain, planting the trees at Dunkeld, where they hybridised with the first European Larch in Britain, planted by his uncle, the second duke, which gave rise to the Dunkeld Larch.

Situated on the third floor of House No. 20, the Duke of Atholl suite features rich mahogany furniture and a truly resplendent kingsize bed.

Drury Lowe

If you’re a lover of clashing prints, then this is the room for you. Gold flowered wallpaper, a carpet like a maze and a luxurious red and gold bedspread with an exquisitely decorated large floral headrest make this room hard to resist.

If you do manage to extract yourself from the queen size bed’s allembracing grasp, the bathtub is the real talking point. The bright and elegant bathroom features a bath originally made for His Highness Say Aji Rao III, Maharaja Gaekwad of Baroda.

The room boasts views overlooking Portman Square. To top its splendour, it’s the only suite that includes three unique, decorative fireplaces.

Our Drury Lowe room is Home House’s hidden gem, and interestingly, is one of our rooms that is not named after a previous tenant of ours.

Nestled at the rear of House No.19, the Drury Lowe room offers cosy seclusion and opulence in equal measure. This large, imposing room is flooded with natural light and its walls are an inviting, deep red.

The bedroom features a resplendent super king-size four poster bed made of polished maple wood and edged with chintz, featuring a beautifully embroidered red and gold bedspread with lavish bed hangings to ensure you’re truly sleeping in style.

If you manage to pull yourself away from the bed, the blue and white tiled bathroom is tucked under the staircase of House 19, and features a grand marble bath and sink.

Drury Lowe

Grand, Eccentric, Iconic

Unforgettable Events at Home House

With its eccentric charm, beautiful Georgian-style rooms and exceptional menus in London’s Marylebone, Home House offers an impressive backdrop for special events from weddings and glamorous parties to special suppers and all-important meetings.