A quality hotel in Camberwell Green? It is the sort of idea for which Sir Alan
Sugar would flay one of his wannabe apprentices.
The new Church Street Hotel is 50 yards from one of South London’s noisiest
junctions. The Green is full of winos, Camberwell Church Street has a drugs
and weapons problem, and in the past year there have been at least four
murders within half a mile of this quixotic venture.
That has not deterred Mel and Jose Raido, two thirty-something brothers
possessed of abundant drive, optimism and can-do spirit. They have taken a
run-down bed-and-breakfast joint – “a real dive”, says Mel – and spent a
City salary turning it into a hotel unlike any other in the capital.
Outside, the handsome old building has been painted a smart grey. Inside, it
is a riot of colour with a Spanish-American religious theme. The reception
desk is fashioned from an altar. The corridors are decorated with madonnas
and votive candles. The rooms, entered through arched doorways, are bright
blues, greens and yellows, while the bathrooms gleam with wall-to-wall
Mexican tiles. The beds are of hand-forged ironwork, and there are
flatscreen televisions and DVD players in every room.
The hotel is delightfully idiosyncratic. My wife and I were greeted by a fresh
flower, a jar of homemade hot sauce, two bars of organic chocolate, natural
toiletries, a handwritten welcome note and a scattering of books, including
The Iliad.
The brothers plan to open a tapas bar, but in the meantime you must venture
out to dine. This being multicultural South London, you can eat Italian,
Greek, Indian, Turkish, Vietmanese, KFC or “lip-smacking African”, but
finding quality is harder.
We ended up round the corner in The Willow on Denmark Hill, where we enjoyed a
fine dinner of warm goats’ cheese on crostini, crispy ducks’ legs on mashed
potato, and white chocolate cheesecake with rasberry compot. With wine, the
bill for two was £50.
The true gastronomic experience came at breakfast, which was 100 per cent
organic – muesli with Tibetan goji berries, Greek yoghurt, coffee from
Borough Market, croissants hot from a Wandsworth bakery, watermelon
smoothies and orange juice.
The brothers consider Camberwell to be an up-and-coming area and hope to
attract customers from the Oval, Camberwell College of Arts, affluent
Dulwich, Brixton’s music venues and Vauxhall’s gay scene. It is a bold
gamble.
Bottom line: Martin Fletcher paid £119.99 for an en suite double room
with breakfast.
Sampling the fare: 57 ethnic varieties near by, but no foodies’
paradise.
Best thing: Breakfast.
Worst thing: Neighbourhood.
Access all areas: No.
Need to know: Church Street Hotel (020-7703 5984, www.churchstreethotel.com),
29-33 Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8TR.
Room: 7 out of 10.
Breakfast: 10 out of 10.
Service: 9 out of 10.
Value: 6 out of 10.
Have you stayed at the Church Street Hotel? Do you agree with our review? Use
the comment form below to add your views
I had been very upbeat and optimistic about the opening of the Church Street Hotel.
Now I realise it will attract more people like this reviewer to Camberwell I'm depressed.
Clapham here we come.
Montague Withnail, London, UK
You are right about Camberwell and you are wrong about Camberwell. I challenge anyone to stand at the intersection of the Green and look back toward the Parish Churg (St Giles). If you look beyond a few decades of neglect, you'll see underneath remains perhaps the most true English village in South London, maybe all of London. A green, beautiful shop fronts (many neglected), and the church rising in the distance. You also failed to go just steps across from the hotel into the Grove - some very nice restaurants closer to the Hotel (and more to your taste) and streets of homes that rival, even surpass Hampstead.
There is a reason they are taking a 'bold' gamble. For waiting to emerge is the village in South London that used to rule and make Kennington, Oval, Brixon et al green with envy. But yes, with such a large population of poor Africans and more than its fair share of social housing - and a Council who puts it bottom of the list, it now depends on places like the Hotel.
Ian Kempt, Camberwell,
How much of the ethnic food did you try? It sounds like you played safe and went to The Willow - an excellent but thoroughly safe establishment, catering for 'middle class' tastes. The 'lipsmacking african' you refer to is actually excellent - although, it might be a bit spicy for your taste, it is actually authentic cuisine.
Nothing ventured nothing gained, one wonders if you thought you 'knew' Camberwell before you arrived and therefore failed to see it
Becky Rowe, London,
I work in Camberwell and we've been watching the exterior revamp of this hotel with interest. Until their own tapas bar opens ( which we watch for with interest, one of the best places to eat , just a two minute strol away, is The Dark Horse in Grove Lane, a recently revamped pub, with dining area. Great value wines and beers, and terrific food, including an early bird menu and bar snacks. friendly staff, funky decor, comfy seating, make this a great place to eat or enjoy a cocktail.
Sue, London, UK
I haven't stayed at the hotel, but I do live in Camberwell and I think this review is offensive. What effort did the reviewer and his wife make to explore the neighbourhood - its fine houses, its green spaces, its good independent food shops? None at all, by the sound of it.
Carole, Camberwell,
Good idea. Comparable in price to a Travel Lodge but an infinitely richer experience.
Alan Dale, London, UK
Worst thing: Neighbourhood
I'll have you know I've lived in this fantastic neighbourhood for the last 24 years - in Camberwell Grove, which has some of the finest terraces of Georgian and Victorian houses in London. There are good local pubs, serving decent food as well as a few good restaurants (Willows is one of them), a great local jazz club at The Crypt and a thriving art and cultural scene - visit www.camberwellarts.org.uk/festival for details of the Arts Festival, June 16-24
Rosemary, Camberwell, London, England