If you’re visiting London but want to escape the traffic and crowds, let me introduce you to the charming, riverside area of Richmond-upon-Thames. The affluent locals might prefer to keep Richmond’s 2,500-acre park, scenic views of the Thames, and quintessentially English cricket green to themselves. However, with the newly renovated Richmond Harbour Hotel and Spa, you too can enjoy this delightful blend of countryside and town.

This boutique hotel in Richmond offers a perfect weekend getaway, combining the sophistication of the city with the tranquility of the countryside. It’s just a short train ride from Central London, yet feels like a world away. At the Richmond Harbour Hotel, you can enjoy stylish city living, country relaxation, great food, and a spa for some much-needed pampering.

You might wonder why a hotel so far from the sea is named the Harbour Hotel. The Harbour Group started with seaside properties on England’s South Coast and has since expanded, maintaining a personalized experience and a strong sense of place. At the Richmond Harbour Hotel, you’ll find artwork reflecting the green spaces of Richmond Park, complete with deer and wildlife, and a selection of Hunter wellies in the lobby for your walks. The hotel is housed in a row of 18th-century Georgian buildings, adding charm and character with its winding staircases and creaky floorboards.

Since acquiring the former Richmond Gate Hotel, the Harbour Hotel Group has gradually renovated it. The public areas have been remodeled, and The Gate Restaurant now offers a stylish yet welcoming bar and kitchen that mirrors Richmond’s leafy charm. The hotel is ideally located at the top of Richmond Hill, near the gates of Richmond Park and a broad terrace with views over the River Thames. It’s perfect for those seeking a relaxing break with country walks and beautiful views, yet close to the shopping and restaurants of Richmond town center. Richmond station is just a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute drive away, providing excellent access to Central London and Heathrow Airport.

Entering the hotel, you’re greeted by imposing Georgian columns and a marble-floored lobby. The elegant fireplace and classical busts give it a country house feel, while leafy ferns and a tree branch growing from the ceiling add a touch of nature. The drawing room, with its wooden parquet floors, contemporary artwork, and coffee table books, is a cozy spot to wait for friends. The reception desk in the adjoining annex offers a friendly and professional welcome, with assistance for your bags.

Our light and airy suite (Room 22) overlooked the front of the hotel, with glimpses of the river through the trees. The autumnal shades of green and brown echoed the nearby parkland, with contemporary artwork of a stag and a fox bringing Richmond Park into the hotel. The ocean blue throw and deckchair-striped cushions hinted at the Harbour Hotel’s seaside heritage. The wardrobe contained essentials like a safe, kettle, tea/coffee making facilities, iron, and ironing board. The sideboard hid an empty fridge, and there was a complimentary drinks tray with gin and sherry. Mixers were charged separately, but none were in the fridge, so we would have needed to request these from the bar.

The bed was huge, with a super-comfy padded mattress and Egyptian cotton bed linen. It was quite high, reminiscent of the princess and the pea fairy tale, with feather mattresses piled high. It was the kind of bed where you could imagine being served breakfast in bed, feeling like royalty.

The only downside was that the large sash windows couldn’t be opened, so there was no way to get fresh air into the room apart from using the air conditioning. At the time of our visit (February 2019), about half of the hotel’s 72 rooms had been redecorated in this new style, but the other half were still awaiting refurbishment. Depending on when you book, it’s worth checking what style of room you’ll get.

While 45 of the 72 bedrooms had been redecorated, fewer bathrooms had been refurbished, with only nine new-style bathrooms at the time of our visit. The newer bathrooms feature luxurious white marble-style tiles and contemporary sinks and fittings. Our original-style bathroom was a bit dated and showed signs of wear and tear but was perfectly clean, with lovely White Company toiletries and a powerful shower over the bath. Since the bathrooms are being updated gradually, you may want to check the style of bathroom you’ll have when you book.

After settling into our room, I tried out the HarSpa facilities, which are complimentary for hotel guests. The HarSpa, formerly The Cedars Health and Leisure Club, continues to operate as a leisure club with non-resident members using the gym, pool, and saunas. The leisure facilities have been updated as part of the hotel refurbishment, and we loved the light and airy feel of the pool area with a colorful mural at one end. There’s also a sauna and steam room for relaxation, and the pool is a good size for swimming.

Between the pool and the changing rooms are exercise machines, which were being well used. There’s also a Juice Bar & Cafe, serving sandwiches, cakes, coffee, and juices, which doubles as the gym reception. It’s open from 7 am to 6:30 pm and is a great spot for a light and healthy snack if you don’t want a full hotel breakfast.

The spa includes 13 treatment rooms with a relaxation area and a selection of ESPA products, as well as the Harbour Hotel’s own HarSpa range using naturally sourced marine and botanical elements. You can book a wide range of treatments, including manicures, pedicures, facials, and massages, to leave you feeling relaxed and pampered during your stay.

One of the highlights of our stay was our Friday night dinner at The Gate Restaurant, named after the nearby Richmond Park gates. The restaurant spans the back of the hotel, with a light and airy conservatory feel from the large arched windows and glazed roof. At one end is a cozy bar area, perfect for enjoying a cocktail or beer, with live music and DJs on weekends. The bar area has a 70s-inspired Moroccan vibe with kilim cushions, velvet banquettes, oriental lamps, and potted ferns hanging from the ceiling. The main dining area, bordered by a marble counter bar, has a Scandi meets William Morris feel, with light and contemporary furnishings and a hint of exotic Edwardian in the patterned fabrics, fringed lampshades, and molded mirrors. The restaurant overlooks a spacious paved terrace, ideal for a drink on sunny summer weekends.

We were joined by our grown-up son and daughter for drinks and dinner. We started with cocktails from the bar and an avocado and chili dip with taro chips, which was delicious and perfect for sharing. For starters, Guy had the smoked haddock soufflé, which was rich and smoky, with a fluffy twice-baked soufflé in a cheesy sauce. I liked it so much that I ordered it again for lunch another day. The Harbour Hotel restaurants are known for their excellent seafood, and three of us ordered the halibut, which was perfectly cooked and served with clams and tiny girolle mushrooms in a buttery sauce, accompanied by shared sides of mash and seasonal greens.

For dessert, we shared a lemon tart and a pomegranate trifle, which were fine but not exceptional. Overall, we were impressed with The Gate Restaurant, which offers a well-balanced menu with plenty of fish and plant-based options, as well as meat dishes. The ambiance is relaxed but special, without being stuffy.

After a great night’s sleep, we returned to The Gate Restaurant for breakfast, enjoying a spread of cereals, fresh fruit, yogurts, compotes, cheese, and ham, with table service for coffee and freshly made toast. The cooked options upheld the great British tradition of a hearty breakfast. Over two mornings, I ordered my favorite Eggs Royale with soft poached eggs on a muffin, smoked salmon, and hollandaise. Guy tried the vegetarian breakfast with mushrooms, tomato, spinach, and grilled halloumi on sourdough, which was so tasty that I ordered it on our second morning too. Guy also tried the rich and moreish Omelette Arnold Bennett with smoked haddock, Gruyere cheese, and hollandaise, reputedly created at the Savoy Hotel in the 1920s for the English novelist who was staying there. If breakfast isn’t included with your stay, it costs £11.95 for the continental breakfast or £16.95 for the cooked breakfast.

The hotel has elegant reception rooms that can be used for business events or private parties. The Library, located on the corner of the building with windows on two sides, is open for guests to sit and read or work when not in use for private functions.

The Richmond Harbour Hotel is a luxurious boutique hotel ideal for stylish couples looking for a leisure break. It combines the sophistication of Richmond with the green spaces of Richmond Park and views from Richmond Hill. The hotel is more suited for leisure travelers than business travelers and is better for couples than families, although they can accommodate babies or older children.

The hotel is located on the edge of Richmond Park, a short walk from Richmond station with excellent links to London. It’s easily accessed by car, with a car park at the front of the hotel and routes into Richmond from the M3 and M4. Parking costs £8.00 per 24 hours, and the car park is open-air with street access and CCTV.

For more information and to book, visit The Richmond Harbour Hotel website.