Living like a local in Belgravia

For Vanessa Sanchez and her family, summer means swapping continents – and perspectives. Each year brings a new city to call home, an annual ritual of immersion that blurs the line between travel and living. This season, London was the draw. “Wimbledon had been on our list for a long time, so it felt like the right moment to take a deep dive into the city,” she smiles.

Finding the right base was essential. “Hotels serve a purpose, but we’ve learned that staying in a home lets you settle into the rhythm of a place,” Vanessa muses. Hours of research usually go into choosing somewhere with the right fit, so discovering Domus Stay proved serendipitous. “The homes looked exquisite, but the concierge service was what really stood out. Sri, our dedicated concierge specialist, was incredible – she not only answered every question but curated our entire itinerary, including Wimbledon. It saved me hours.”

Their chosen home, Eaton Place, sits quietly among Belgravia’s regimented stucco terraces – a study in London classicism. “It looked and felt like a real home,” she says. With four bedrooms and light-filled living spaces, it offered room to breathe after long days of exploring, while the location balanced centrality with calm. “We wanted to avoid the bustle, and this was just right for us.”

It was the kitchen, though, that truly won Vanessa over. Framed by dark-teal cabinetry and a vaulted glass roof, it’s a space that invites gathering – a tactile contrast to the grandeur of the double reception rooms above. “That’s always where our family gravitates,” Vanessa notes. “There’s something grounding about making coffee in the morning or prepping breakfast before heading out – those little rituals that make you feel instantly at ease.”

Outside, Belgravia surprised her with its calm. “The streets here have such quiet poise,” she reflects. “You can spend days sightseeing, then come back here and it’s almost like you’re not still in central London.” For a family used to the sprawl of Texas, the city’s walkability felt transformative.

“We live somewhere where walking isn’t really an option, so being able to stroll to the grocer or dinner was a joy.” Her favourite find: a small corner shop that stocked everything from breakfast basics to impromptu suppers – the kind of local detail that anchors you in a place.

Asked to imagine her perfect day, Vanessa paints it easily: a slow breakfast at home, a morning of exploring, a pause in the afternoon sun before dinner somewhere new. “That balance between adventure and comfort was what made our stay so special,” she says.

But the real highlight was seeing her teenagers unwind. “They loved the freedom – lounging on the sofa, making snacks, filming family videos. That’s the beauty of having space: you can just be yourselves.”

Service played its part too. On arrival, the family were greeted not just by a house, but by a team who’d already stocked the space with essentials. “It’s those thoughtful touches that stay with you,” Vanessa says. “So many hotels have lost that human connection, but here we felt genuinely looked after. The Domus Stay team delivered exceptional hospitality with a true ‘“cherry on top’.”

Eaton Place is available for vacation rental.