HotelChatter

Butterfly house up close.

The 137 rooms will blend “classical room amenities with modern elements” – ie chandeliers but TVs in the bathroom. And as a guest, you’ll get free rein with the Syon House grounds and gardens, and get to partake in aristocratic activities like trout fishing that the plebs would never get.

With an ice cream parlour, butterfly house in the lobby, rooftop lounge, spa and even a possible hookup with celeb plastic surgeon Alex Karidis, it sounds like the place is going to be pretty self sufficient – which is just as well, seeing as it’ll be a bum to get to central London from here.

WA is describing it as a West London property but don’t be fooled – this isn’t going to be a quick Tube ride to Oxford Circus. Yes, you can easily nip into town for a day, or even an afternoon – but it’s going to be problematic in the evening, so you’re best off thinking of it as a country retreat on the outskirts of London, rather than a viable place for a citybreak.

So will this beat Babington Houseas the weekend escape for cooler than thou, monied Londoners? Place your bets now.