THE LOWDOWN

Set in a vast 19th century mansion, Cannizaro House by Hotel du Vin Wimbledon sits in a tranquil spot on the south-eastern point of Wimbledon Common in Cannizaro Park, home to the vast 19th century, Grade II-listed mansion house (now hotel) and gardens. The park itself spans 34 acres and is home to rare trees and pretty ornamental landscaped Italian gardens.

Since being built, the mansion has seen several high profile figures live and stay within its grounds including the scandalous Sicilian Duke Francis Cannizaro and his Duchess, celebrities in their time for their exploits and affairs, as well as Lord Tennyson and Oscar Wilde.

If you want to staycation in London but feel like you’re miles away from skyscrapers, honking car horns and tourists, then this is the best of both (unless, of course, you visit during Wimbledon Championships in July). The hotel is just 30 minutes from the city centre but it’s a slower pace of life out here with chic Wimbledon Village right on the doorstep.

THE VIBE

Grand. The lobby-come-lounge bar area is particularly impressive with its wide staircase, glistening chandelier and working open fireplace. The tall, gilded gold and black pillars and ceiling centrepiece add to the character and give the space an almost theatrical element, but without feeling too chintzy.

Leather Chesterfield-style armchairs give the area an intimate feel despite its size, especially in the evening with dimmed lights and flickering candles that make the space feel quite glamorous. It’s easy to imagine the soirées and drinks receptions that were once held in here, with long silky gowns, hazy cigar smoke and hushed conversations in every corner. It’s the type of place where Gatsby would feel at home.

This area then leads through to the Orangery at Cannizaro House restaurant – more modern than the rest of the hotel with a striking oversized blown glass chandelier and floor to ceiling glass.

When I arrived for dinner late on a Friday evening, it was already pitch black outside so it was a lovely surprise in the morning to take in the views of the park. It’s a public space, so you’ll see dog walkers and runners sprinting through as you dine – but honestly it would be cruel not to share these grounds. They’re a real highlight of staying here with secret gates leading through to pretty sunken gardens and the sound of woodpeckers against the trees.

On my visit we stayed on the grounds close to the hotel, but head out for a longer walk and you’ll find several gardens (herb, rose, Mediterranean, water – take your pick) as well as an impressive collection of rare maple trees and statues including the Grade II-listed Diana and the Fawn, imported from Sicily, and The Millennium Fountain (known by locals as The Teapot).

SCOFF & QUAFF

Unlike the other Hotel du Vins that serve classic French fare, the Orangery at Cannizaro House leans into the house’s southern European roots with an Italian-inspired menu.

To start, I chose a flavoursome octopus carpaccio (£9.95 or a £2 supplement if you have purchased a package deal) which was served with grapefruit, ruccola and caperberries, whilst my plus one chose an Italian classic: bruschetta pomodoro served on toasted Altamura bread (£8.95).

Our dinner reservation was for 8pm (service ends at 9pm) and by the time we ordered, a few of the main dishes on my hit-list were unavailable (I’m looking at you, baked sardines and sole meunière). No matter though, I settled on a generously portioned fritto misto which included squid, tiger prawns, mullet and anchovies (£18.95 or a £3 supplement).

My plus one chose the 50-day aged sirloin steak served with confit pesto tomatoes and fries (£39.95 or a £21 supplement) and was very impressed. ‘Melt-in-the-mouth’ is often used as a buzzword, but apparently it was! (I’ll have to take his word, I’m a veggie).

Dessert featured a roll call of Italian classics – tiramisu, panna cotta, affogato, tartuffe di cioccolato, gelato – and after much deliberation we chose the first two to share. The panna cotta had a good ‘wobble’ and the tiramisu had just the right hit of coffee for an evening serve.

Wine is big news here (the rooms are all named after famous vineyards) so as you’d expect the wine list is excellent – heaps of choice but still with that feeling that it’s been curated carefully, with a big focus on French wine and good range of price-points. 31 wines are available by the glass, and 42 by the bottle only from the Signature Collection.

There’s also a lovely selection of Signature Cocktails (created by Hotel du Vin‘s mixologist), many of which feature an element of wine. We chose the grapefruit and orange martini with Chardonnay vodka and a chocolate Shiraz-erac with Shiraz gin. I know, it sounds a bit odd, but they tasted great, so definitely give them a try.

PILLOW TALK

There are 48 rooms here ranging in size from a Classic Room to the Park View Signature Suite, complete with its own private balcony overlooking the park. I had a wonderful night’s sleep here (the beds are all king-sized or bigger with the crispest white sheets), plus the amenities are good with a flatscreen TV, free wifi, underfloor heating, power shower and L’Occitane toiletries. Many of the rooms here are dog-friendly for an additional charge of £30.

OUT & ABOUT

The biggie is, obviously, the Wimbledon Championships (this year it’s 3-16 July) with the hotel perfectly placed at just a 20-minute walk from Centre Court. However, there’s plenty to do here beyond the tennis: Wimbledon Village has a string of chic shops (Matches, Neom, Clarendon Fine Art, Farrow & Ball, Sweaty Betty, Gardenia of London florist to name a few) and a lovely independent bookshop.

Horse riding is also big here – I saw at least 12 riders along the roads – with Wimbledon Village Stables offering riding lessons to non-members (check availability in advance).

Kew Gardens, Hampton Court Palace and the V&A Museum (currently showing Donatello: Sculpting the Renaissance until 16 June and Coco Chanel: Fashion Manifesto opening on 16 Sept) are all 25-50 minutes away depending on how you travel, as is Battersea Park and and the behemoth that is the Power Station with its brand new shopping centre and good selection of bars and restaurants.

KID FRIENDLY?

Absolutely, but the hotel feels more grown up. If you can’t shake your kids off, you can request an extra bed in your room (they have to be over 18 to have their own) and there’s a kids menu.

DOG FRIENDLY?

Dogs can stay in pet-friendly bedrooms and you have to pay a bit extra. But they’re not allowed in restaurant, bars or lounges, no matter how well-behaved they are. Panic not, there’s no shortage of walkies with the acres of parkland on the doorstep. Woof.

ACCESSIBILITY

Don’t be put off by the steps at the entrance, there’s a handy lift. Three accessible rooms are available and there’s wheelchair access to the bar, Bistro and other facilities.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: A laid-back weekend in London without the stress that often comes with staying in central. This hotel is best suited for couples and dog parents.

Not for: 24hr party people who want the buzz of city, Cannizaro House by Hotel du Vin Wimbledon is 30 minutes by train from the centre or London.

The damage: Unless you’re staying during Wimbledon where prices are, of course, hiked, Classic Rooms from £169 in May and June and from £189 in July. Hotel du Vin also offers brilliant packages. Available at this hotel: Suite Dreams (a luxe suite, Champagne, cooked breakfast and late 1pm checkout from £238); Deluxe du Vin (two-night stay in a deluxe room with cooked breakfast, three-course dinner on one night from £456); Glorious Getaway (one-night stay with three-course dinner, cooked breakfast and Champagne from £232).

Cannizaro House by Hotel du Vin Wimbledon, Cannizaro House, West Side Common, London SW19 4UE. Tel: 020 8879 1464

Review: Cannizaro House by Hotel du Vin Wimbledon, London

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