The Sloane Club: The Historic Women’s Club With Much To Offer Modern Members

From AllBright to Marguerite, women’s clubs are in vogue right now – but you might not know that Chelsea hotspot The Sloane Club was one of the first. Founded back in 1922 by Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Helena, it was originally opened as the Service Women’s Club: an affordable place for women in the forces to stay in London. 

The name changed to The Helena Club in the ‘60s, and in 1976 it became The Sloane Club, with men being allowed in for the first time. Then, in 2017, the club was acquired by family-owned hospitality company Queensway, heralding the beginning of a new era for the historic venue. Two years later, sister property Sloane Place launched, offering contemporary Asian fare for members and non-members alike, alongside a number of chic bedrooms.

The Sloane Club: What’s It Like Today?

Today, The Sloane Club stands as a place for people to come together with a shared attitude of embracing life in all its glory. It’s looking more stylish than ever thanks to a recent revamp, with 106 bedrooms alongside a bar, restaurant and a bright and airy co-working space called The Chelsea.

It’s designed as a place where members can work by day (with private boardrooms available if needed), then enjoy food and drinks in the evening. The restaurant serves Asian-European dishes from ex-Savoy chef Bernhard Mayer, and the bar is renowned for its cocktails and buzzy vibe. Those who wish to stay the night can rest their head in one of the bedrooms, which feature Molton Brown toiletries and soft robes for a relaxing evening. Better still, the club is dog-friendly, so it’s perfect for pet owners.

The Sloane Club also hosts an eclectic programme of events, from comedy shows to music performances and talks. Coming up there’s a comedy night featuring Harriett Kemsley, Rachel Parris, Marry Hutson and Patrick Spicer; a talk on the British crown jewels; an evening with famed UK swimmer Mark Foster; and a trip to Gusbourne Estate complete with a private wine tasting. 

This summer, members can spend afternoons sipping Whispering Angel on the roof terrace, with live music playing on Friday and Saturday nights. Pair with light and fresh dishes from the summer menu, which features lemongrass chicken burgers with garlic aioli, spicy Asian slaw, and seafood and basil risotto.

‘As a members’ club and a hotel business, one of our greatest challenges is how we stay relevant within an evolving marketplace,’ says Nic Wenn, Managing Director. ‘We’re proud custodians of The Sloane Club and want it to be as relevant for the next 100 years as it has been for the last century. We need to remain pertinent for our members while also attracting a new demographic whose lifestyle requires a space that isn’t their home or an office for them to fulfil the various components of their lives.

‘Lifestyles have changed: we’ve gone very quickly from having quite structured lives to blending work and leisure. And we are clearer than ever that our role is to provide a space, service and community that empowers those convergent lifestyles.’

Find out more at sloaneclub.co.uk and book Sloane Place at sloaneplace.com