How wonderful to stay at a hotel that gets it absolutely right! How spoiling to stay in such relaxed grandeur. The Kensington Hotel is both traditional and stylish, tasteful and chic, luxurious yet homely. The perfect bolthole for Central London.
It’s located on Queensgate, South Kensington’s spinal cord and boulevard that’s a five-minute stroll to Hyde Park. It’s perfect for Albertopolis, the nickname given to the area of museums and named after Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria. These consist of the Victoria + Albert (V&A) Museum, Science Museum, Natural History Museum, and Royal Albert Hall, some of which are included in the London Pass. Also nearby is London’s trendy Kings Road: the center both of the swinging 1960s and of Punk a decade later.
The Kensington Hotel is part of the Doyle Collection (which includes The Marylebone. It developed into a hotel 110 years ago from a row of seven 19th-century townhouses (the earliest dating from 1770) with their solid, sturdy, elegant, classic white stucco-fronted and pillared edifices. London domestic architecture at its best.
A top-hatted doorman helped me inside, past the lobby’s marble reception, where I instantly sensed the hotel’s impressive breadth. And who doesn’t love a roaring fire? The hearth in the fireplaces gave heart to the large but cozy enfilade of three interconnecting beautifully proportioned common rooms. They are multi-purpose in which to read, relax, eat, or drink. Proper sturdy drawing rooms, spacious and graceful beneath their high ceilings. A home away from home.
The ‘French room’ or morning room in divine pale duck-egg has original artwork that’s both varied and inspiring and not purely decorative. The Study has turtle and elephant artifacts and other spoils of travel. The glamorous Library has somewhat more feminine lighting that continues on from the bar and around the wonderful wrought-iron spiral staircase there’s a country-house style.
A corridor carpet depicting wisteria and swallows gave the upstairs its upbeat feel. There are 146 rooms (with rates starting from $485 and including 30 suites). I recommend the spacious suite 112 with its statement Murano chandelier and divine bathroom. Everything felt fresh and new and so opulent with its large balcony, high ceilings, and vast drapes. The original moldings in the bedroom were refreshingly sufficient to dispel the need for pictorial adornment. The earthy tones and gold and brass were offset by lacquered wood and by choice artwork. My bath was luxuriously deep beside a powerful rainforest shower and Malin & Goetz toiletries. But it was the splendid marble black and white with mauve markings that looked so stunning beside the gold fixtures to give it a real lavish wow factor.
The hotel’s darkened K Bar is a convivial central nook. The elegant décor lends it the atmosphere of a private club. Amongst the mirrors and marble and before the brass and glass doors indulgence and charm are abundant. There are leather chairs and leather-bound books, velvet barstools, and beech-paneling. All offset by gorgeous teal furnishings.
I ate at the hotel’s Town House restaurant. It’s modern, uncluttered, and wonderfully calm. It has a glorious bay window, a working fireplace, parquet floors, blush pink walls, and jazzy wallpaper. Just the right degree of ambient music and white amaryllis enhanced this ornate room. Such an eclectic mix amongst the tub chairs and banquettes of textiles and textures with velvets and patterned pots, tables, and rugs. The quality of food and the standard of service were exceptional. I loved my unfussy, unpretentious fairly-priced dinner. The black cod was delicious as was the breakfast which ranged from the traditional ‘full English’ to the offering of progressive açai and other wild berries.
Lots of little extras are added to the mix. There’s a fitness suite open all day and a luxury car service offering complimentary airport delivery for those enjoying a suite. Six liveried Pashley bikes are parked outside for guests to borrow, with baskets brimming with flowers and, in the summer, picnics to have in the park. Dream weavers are on hand to go the extra mile and bring the magic. Kids are looked after and dogs even have their own menu. 40% of the guests are Americans. The highest proportion of any country. They obviously know something others don’t. This hotel has it all.
