The Kensington, a five-star property on leafy Queen’s Gate SW7, offers London townhouse glamour in one of the city’s most cultural areas; just a stone’s throw from the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace and the world-renowned Kensington museums including the Natural History, Science and V&A, whose sell-out fashion exhibitions are world-renowned and provide the hotel with inspiration for their seasonal luxury afternoon tea served in The Townhouse.
Stretching across several Victorian townhouses, The Kensington belongs to the Doyle Collection whose other London hotels include The Marylebone and The Bloomsbury, offering luxury stays with a family-run atmosphere in the most sought-after areas for exploring the capital. The Kensington’s current ‘V&A Experience’ offers fashionistas luxury overnight accommodation with English Breakfast the next day and the hotel’s new ‘Fashion Becomes Tea’ afternoon tea experience drawing inspiration from the new ‘Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art’ exhibition at the V&A and, better still, they guarantee a pair of tickets to the sold out exhibition for all guests booking this exclusive package. A short stay at The Kensington is the perfect opportunity for fashionistas to combine culture and shopping, with Harvey Nichols, Harrods and the high-end designer boutiques of Sloane Street within easy reach of the hotel.
We checked into one of The Kensington’s signature suites, the 1-bedroom ‘Knightsbridge’, offering bespoke interiors and palatial accommodation stretching across 807 sq. m. Boasting a magnificent high-ceilinged drawing room with french windows opening onto a balcony that runs the entire length of the suite, the period features and a blown glass chandelier afford the space a sophisticated, almost Parisian-style atmosphere further enhanced by the decorative fireplace, artworks and coffee table books and magazines. Should you need any more of an excuse to enjoy a night in, supremely comfortable seating and a 55 inch Smart Television with Chromecast allows you to connect to your favourite films and shows.
And let’s not forget the honesty drinks bar which, housed in a swanky veneered cabinet, takes the prize for the most glamorous minibar I’ve ever come across; containing crystal glassware, refreshments and premium snacks. If £1500+ a night is not something you ordinarily spend on a room, I highly recommend cancelling the dinner reservation and making the most of this fabulous suite. We decided to do just that, ordering exceptionally good club sandwiches and fries from room service in a grown-up homage to Home Alone: Lost in New York, because it’s not just Kevin’s fantasy to stay up late watching movies in a luxury suite whilst raiding the minibar treats.
The equally light-filled bedroom where you’ll find a king-size dressed in freshly-pressed, high thread count Egyptian cotton sheets, also contains a work station, day bed alcove, with an en suite marble bath/shower room and separate powder room, dressing room with a wall of closets for guests who never travel light. It might take you a while to locate the concealed cupboard housing tea and coffee making amenities, with Barry’s Tea a nod to the Doyle Collection’s Irish heritage. There are a further three state-of-the-art televisions besides the set in the Drawing Room; an LCD in the day bed alcove, a mirror TV opposite the bed, and a further TV in the bathroom allowing you to catch up on your programme whilst soaking in the tub jacuzzi tub and taking advantage of the generous supply of Frederic Malle heavenly-scented products. The Knightsbridge Suite might feel more like a luxury apartment (I’d certainly be happy to move in) yet it’s even better than that, coming as it does with all the benefits of a five star hotel such as 24-hour room service and a menu of in-room hair, beauty and spa treatments.
Wrap yourself in a fluffy robe and enjoy a night-in guaranteed to be more memorable than going out, while the novelty of ticking boxes on a room service breakfast card to hang on the door by 3am never grows old. The a la carte breakfast is included within The Kensington’s current ‘Suite Escape’ package starting from £565, along with a curated selection of premium amenities and perks, from early and/or late check-out subject to availability and a generous £85 daily credit to spend in the hotel’s well appointed restaurants and bars, not that you should need any excuse to sample their afternoon tea.
Other options include the all-day brasserie menu of The Townhouse, while the honeyed tones of the oak-pannelled K Bar has a tempting ‘Bar Bites’ menu including grilled octopus, duck confit croquettes and truffle and parmesan fries. One of my favourite bars in London, this hidden gem offers a reassuringly snug members’ club atmosphere. With plush banquettes, chandeliers, comfortable leather armchairs and books aplenty, it’s the perfect backdrop for their playful new ‘Le Style Surrealiste’ illusion-driven cocktail menu inspired by the V&A ‘Schiaparelli: Fashion Becomes Art’ exhibition at the V&A. Encouraging guests to “embrace the unexpected” with a cocktail amusingly entitled, ‘A Glass of Water’, that pretty much sums up The Kensington – a hotel that is always striving to surprise and delight its guests.
The Kensington Hotel, 109-113 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London SW7 5LP. The Knightsbridge Suite from £1555, other ‘Suite Escape’ stays from £565 valid on bookings made before March 2027. For more information, and reservations, please visit www.doylecollection.com.
