It’s with excitement and intrigue that I take my first visit to Home Grown, a private members’ club in Marylebone, a venue, I have heard so much about. Home Grown is a leading business club in London, and the sister venue to the famous Home House private members’ club, both buildings are only a short walking distance apart. The concept behind Home Grown is to provide a luxurious as well as practical business environment which generates dialogue and cultivates new relationships. Home Grown’s current members are very much a global community that combine people originating from all over the world, and has members who span across a range of industries as diverse as banking, fashion and beauty. Both investors and entrepreneurs can network and socialise together to create strong connections.
Benefits for members include a diverse program of business and networking events. Even during the most recent lockdown situations, a wealth of events were still taking place online. I can see that during the current climate, now more than ever, Home Grown will thrive as many businesses may prefer to downsize from expensive offices. From my own experience, I often feel that better ideas can actually happen when you are away from a desk and outside of an office. Home Grown can offer flexible work spaces, study areas, comfortable lounges, bookable meeting rooms, private event spaces, and cosy bedrooms at very affordable rates. It is wonderful to have access to Home House as well, a fabulous Grade 1 listed building, which plays host to a hive of activity from intimate dinners, bespoke business seminars, breakfast briefings and social drinks. Members can use the Home House gym at a special day rate and can also book rooms for parties. For those driving into London, the close by NCP Portman Square located behind Nobu is available to members at the discounted rate of £12.50 for 24 hours.
Just a stone’s throw away from Marble Arch station, Home Grown does not disappoint with it’s stylish reception area with black and white square tiled flooring, leading towards a winding staircase with handheld mirrors decorating the walls. As I am given a tour of the building, I am led through a series of beautifully appointed meeting, dining and bar areas as well as spacious pitching suites. I am instantly struck by the elegant yet modern décor. Home Grown also has 35 decadent, well-appointed bedrooms, available to members and their guests. Rooms vary in style and size, so there is something to suit all tastes. I checked into one of the rooms on the second floor that benefits from its own outdoor patio area. It goes without saying that there is high speed wifi throughout the building. Rooms were designed by Russell Sage Studio, the super comfortable luxurious beds have Egyptian cotton sheets. A selection of Noble Isle toiletries can be found in the en-suite bathrooms.
For those looking to dine at Home Grown they offer a wholesome British menu, cooked with seasonal ingredients with experimental twists. Ideal for individual, business or corporate dining. Food is served in the restaurant Monday- Friday from 7am to 11pm. During my stay I decided to opt for the 3 course dinner menu, which included unlimited prosecco, lucky me! There was an array of delicious courses to choose from, but in the end I opted for the leek and potato soup with truffle crème fraiche to start. Followed by grilled mackerel, ratatouille with caramelised endive for my main course, polished off with milk chocolate and banana mousse accompanied by milk ice cream for dessert. My mouth is watering now thinking back to how wonderful each and every mouthful really was. After my delicious meal, I headed over to Home House for a nightcap, and it was lovely to relax on the plush sofas on the second floor and take in the friendly and warm atmosphere.
After waking from a really good nights sleep in my room, I made way down to breakfast. As it was the weekend, I was eating from the continental breakfast menu. A cooked vegetarian breakfast would have been my normal choice, however, I can hands down say that the continental breakfast offering at Home Grown is far better than I have ever experienced at any luxury hotel. I enjoyed a coconut yogurt pot, with granola and berry compote, a mixture of delicious homemade breads, different cheese, croissants, mixed fruits, toast with salted butter, every mouthful was divine. During the week other tempting breakfast choices include a stuffed croissant with scrambled eggs cheddar and mushrooms, Eggs Florentine, Benedict or Royale and coconut porridge with banana, blueberry and peanut butter. You really are spoilt for choice.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Home Grown. I enjoyed relaxing in the lounge areas, drinking at the colourful Unicorn Bar and my sumptuous dinner and breakfast in the restaurant. My room was stylish, comfortable and a pleasure to sleep in. For me, what I enjoyed the most was meeting the friendly staff and members and being welcomed into such a relaxing, yet inspiring environment. If you are someone looking to help grow your business and join a community of like minded entrepreneurs, Home Grown is certainly more than worth considering.
Non-members can take advantage of Home Grown’s beautiful bedrooms from £135 per night and are offering a glass of bubbles with their compliments for The Bespoke Black Book readers. Find out more via their website and reservations can be made via [email protected].
As for membership there are a few packages to choose from; membership options start from £1,000 per annum with a full membership being £2,000 plus £299 joining fee. Home Grown are offering The Bespoke Black Book Readers an experience day for you and a guest to access the club for the day that includes a welcome from the team, a complimentary drink of your choice on the house and access to any members’ events that are taking place in house or virtually that day.
