room2 is a brand new hotel that’s opened in Chiswick, London.

The world’s first whole life net zero hotel, room2 Chiswick combines classic hotel luxury with homestyle comforts to create an eco-friendly home away from home - or a ‘hometel’ if you will.

Fall for room2 Chiswick’s design-led interiors that celebrate local craftsmanship, its modern style and innovative sustainable initiatives that have raised the bar of environmental responsibility.

And with a 24 hour check-out (check-in and check-out at 2pm) to boot, your home away from home doesn’t get much better than this!

room2 Chiswick review: what’s it really like?

The rooms

room2 Chiswick’s rooms are really where this hometel shines. Among its 86 bespoke rooms, you have a choice of four different styles - Snug, Studio, Lounge and Suite.

Each one is modern, has a smart TV and most have an option for a king or twin beds.

A fab perk of the rooms is the fully-equipped kitchenettes which help make the space your own (more on that in a bit).

There’s also a bespoke 3-in-1 bin that offers recycling, food waste and general waste all in one with clear instructions so you know which one to use.

It’s quite possibly the first hotel of its kind to offer food waste recycling!

The room decor is particularly well thought out and much like the rest of the hotel, the design is a nod to Chiswick’s 19th-century arts and crafts heritage.

Each room's fixture and furnishings have been crafted in collaboration with local artisans using sustainable materials.

One of my favourite design touches are the Dali-esque mirrors in the ensuite bathrooms that have been handcrafted from English timber by local furniture maker Kieran Letts.

Others are the banquette and headboard that have been manufactured 10 miles from site from FSC-certified wood and fabrics containing recycled content; the handmade marble prints and wallpaper by artist Rachel Maiden and bespoke lampshades made from vegetarian leather.

There’s even a nod to the hometel building’s historic past as a wallpaper factory with framed wallpaper patterns in each room!

Discover more eco-friendly ideas from pebble's Sustainable Home Guide: Download It For Free

The service

The hotel service is laidback and friendly with staff near the entrance to offer a helping hand or recommendations about the local area if you need it.

In terms of housekeeping, you’re generally left alone in your room which I personally love as you can really decompress and make the space your own for the time that you’re there.

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The amenities

room2 Chiswick’s amenities are what set the hotel apart as a hometel - or a home away from home. Its lounge area has a co-working space, making it a great spot for remote work.

There are also laundry facilities and a gym fitted with weights, assault rowers and top of the range Peloton bikes.

Another good eco feature is the access to electric bikes provided by Human Forest just outside the hotel. The first 10 minutes of use are free.

My favourite amenities are in the rooms themselves.

Each room has a cosy lounge area, kitchenette and work desk (not always close to the plugs so make sure you bring an extension cord if you plan to work!).

The kitchenette gives you a lot more freedom to choose how and when you want to eat.

It’s good for keeping to a budget, feeding families or doing a bit of home-style cooking - much like what you have a with a holiday rental - just with the comforts of a hotel.

The kitchenettes are fairly well equipped with all the utensils you need for some simple cooking. The electric hob is easy to use and comes with simple safety instructions. There’s also a microwave.

Some bigger rooms (the suite) even have an oven and dishwasher for a place you can really call home.

The restaurant

room2 Chiswick has kitchen facilities in the room, however, if you don’t fancy cooking you can visit Boca Chiswick, an in-house partner bistro and bar serving up Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner.

You can also get a coffee and pastries for breakfast.

Located on the ground floor, Boca incorporates much of the eclectic design-led vibe of the rest of the hotel, offering a fun place to relax, enjoy a meal, glass of wine or cocktail in the evening.

The a la carte menu is relatively pricey but offers a select number of tasty options.

All dishes are organic and have been designed to be as low energy as possible in keeping with the hotel’s sustainability ethos.

Happily, there are vegan options too.

The area

Located just off the main high street in Chiswick, room2 is a little out of the way from Central London - so it’s not quite a stay in the heart of the city.

However, the hometel is within walking distance of several overground and tube stations, making it accessible if you’re looking to escape from Central London.

Chiswick itself is a lovely area and well worth a visit.

Here, charity shops reign supreme with favourites including Fara, Mind, Royal Trinity Hospice, Mary’s Living & Giving Shop and Oxfam Boutique. They’re great for seeking out top quality preloved finds.

Another sustainable win to check out is the Source Bulk Foods, a zero-waste shop full of plastic-free goodies and eco household items.

In fact, the Source and room2 Chiswick have teamed up to offer guests a 10% discount in-store. You can swing by and get some bits for cooking in your room.

Plus, Chiswick is home to Chiswick House & Gardens, a pretty park with a beautiful 18th-century mansion.

It’s also close to Kew Gardens and Heathrow Airport is not too far away if you’re coming from, or heading that way.

How is room2 sustainable?

room2 Chiswick is the world’s first whole life net zero hotel.

This means it essentially looks at the whole lifecycle of the building right from the carbon produced by the materials used in construction to use, refurbishment and end of life.

Carbon emissions have been reduced as much as possible at every stage and any unavoidable emissions have been offset through verified nature-based projects.

The hotel runs on 100% renewable, electric energy so there are no fossil fuels or gas.

All rooms have lighting and heating systems that are occupancy enabled so nothing is wasted if you forget to turn your light off.

In fact, room2 Chiswick uses 89% less energy per m2 compared to typical UK hotels!

There are even two lab rooms that monitor energy and water usage and clean air quality in real-time to help the hotel grow and develop its sustainability strategy going forward.

In the bathroom, the showers are powerful but cleverly use air rather than excessive amounts of water to find their oomph. All toiletries are refillable, cruelty-free and vegan.

Heating is generated by innovative heat pumps that use the ground as a heat source in winter and a heat sink in summer to warm up or cool the building down as required.

Even the dazzling patterned carpets are cradle to cradle certified and made from plastic fishing nets from the ocean.

The biophilic designed entrance has plants locally sourced from New Covent Garden and the roof has solar panels and bee hives.

Plus a green roof and blue roof promote biodiversity in the city and catch rainwater to minimise flooding.

And that’s by no means the end of room2’s eco-initiatives!

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3 reasons to book room2 Chiswick

• It’s the world’s first whole life net zero hotel.
• It’s a fantastic place to stay for remote workers and families.
• It has the comforts of a hotel with the freedom and flexibility of a holiday rental.

And lastly, room2 Chiswick has free wifi, it’s child friendly and 100% pet friendly!

room2 hometels can also be found in Hammersmith and Southampton.

Want more London travel tips? check out our London city guide.

Read our guide to London's zero waste stores too.