South Kensington enjoys a prestige and allure that connects it to luxury residences, renowned cultural institutions, and hospitality venues that are amongst the best in the world. As the city of London expanded west due to a population boom in the late 1700s, the area that is now South Kensington gradually became urbanised in a carefully designed way to eventually make up an important part of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It was Prince Albert, Consort to Queen Victoria, who particularly championed the area as an educational and cultural hub during their reign. This led to the creation of places such as The Victoria & Albert Museum, The National History Museum, The Science Museum, and Imperial College London, all housed in the beautiful surroundings of South Kensington. Prince Albert’s influence on this place was so great that it even became colloquially known as Albertopolis for quite a while.
Modern-day South Kensington is now a thriving tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the globe looking for a base from which to explore London. Our guide to South Kensington concentrates on some vital aspects of any trip here with a view to minimise more arduous parts of research that inevitably accompany any planning. Let’s begin with a look at where you could be staying with our selection of the very best hotels that South Kensington has to offer.
The Adria
The refined, luxurious, and welcoming atmosphere of The Adria on Queen’s Gate in South Kensington has been delighting its patrons for almost 15 years. The Stucco façade and stylings of this 19th Century Townhouse introduce a five-star elegance and charm while still offering all the comforts of modern living. 22 rooms are tastefully decorated in subtle furnishings with Italian marble bathrooms adding an indulgent flair. The services, facilities, and amenities include a spa and gym to ensure you remain refreshed and invigorated during your stay, with the Butler’s Pantry and Martini Trolley available for those indulgent treats. The staff and service personnel are available at every minute of the day to take care of any transport connections or restaurant & entertainment bookings. An open-air Garden Room is available to all residents, so there is always an opportunity to relax in style, and with Harrods department store just a ten-minute stroll away, you have everything you want at a moment’s notice.
The Kensington Hotel
The Kensington Hotel is a spacious and regal venue that welcomes its clientele in a relaxed and traditional way. This impressive Victorian building is also home to a most serene private garden that offers a quieter sanctuary away from the bustle of South Kensington’s tourist spots that can often get very busy at peak times of the year. There is an air of low-level glamour here that allows guests to be comfortable and classy as they enjoy a meal of seasonal English Cuisine from the celebrated chef, Steve Gibbs, at the Town House restaurant. The suites are all imbued with their own personality and individuality with highlights including gold-coloured hardwood floors, velvet furnishings, and statement bathrooms with televisions built into the bathtubs. The oak-panelled walls and Gentleman’s Club atmosphere of the K Bar at The Kensington Hotel create some fabulous cocktails too, including the King of Queen’s Gate made with Jameson Select Reserve Whiskey.
The Exhibitionist
The Exhibitionist is a boutique hotel that has been created with a clear focus in mind to set it apart from the competition. From the outside, you would be forgiven for thinking that there is nothing different here from the neighbouring array of beautiful grand Victorian Townhouses that surround it. However, the huge bronze bull statue accompanied by a brightly painted mannequin that greets you on arrival sets the tone for a thoroughly art-centric stay within its walls. Set in the heart of South Kensington’s cultural hub, The Exhibitionist is destined to make itself an attraction of note in the area with its use of a bold maximalist design that runs through all rooms and the interior. Each corridor is themed on particular works of art, including an impressive mural celebrating the Art Deco movement as imagined by contemporary Scottish artist, Karis Knight. The intriguingly named suites such as Trash City and Squint Splash demonstrate a willingness to push the boundaries of what is expected from a modern hotel in a classic location.
The Franklin
The Franklin Hotel in Egerton Gardens certainly has some impressive neighbours to speak of with the Victoria & Albert Museum and Harrod’s both just a stone’s throw from here. This is a classic example of the world famous actor and interior designer Anouska Hempel’s passion for luxury boutique style in a hotel. All the rooms and suites are guided by her unmistakable eye for detail and passion for Italian influence, with high ceilings, huge windows that bathe every room in light all year round and immaculate furnishings that offer comfort and style. The Franklin Bar here feels like a love letter to The Great Gatsby, Roaring Twenties, high-society era with its mirrored walls and overt glamour at every seat. The resident Bar Manager Salvatore Maggio even offers a Mixology Masterclass that can have you shaking up a real stir during your stay.
The Ampersand
The Ampersand Hotel makes the most of its central location in South Kensington and is thrillingly informed, inspired and influenced by all the attractions that this area has to offer. From birds to botany, geometry to astronomy, and the fashion fabulous to musical maestros, every room has an accent taken from The Natural History Museum, The Science Museum, The Victoria & Albert Museum or The Royal Albert Hall. There is a wonderful, and very British sense of whimsy throughout the overall design in general with suites that offer what had been described as the ultimate ‘Mary Poppins’ rooftop view across London’s famous skyline. The intimate and laid back Apero restaurant adds a splash of the Mediterranean too with some fantastic options such as the Jurassic Afternoon Tea where volcano cakes erupt from dry ice and would-be archaeologists can dig through chocolate soil for a fossilised fancy to eat. This is definitely worth the visit for children of all ages.
Making South Kensington your home, even for just a short trip, is a wonderful way to experience the best that West London has to offer in a compact and comprehensive way. With the choice of hotel established, part two of our guide will shortly be taking you through one of the next most essential parts of your time here – where to go for brunch.
