Tablet Plus
The Kensington Hotel
109-113 Queen's Gate, South Kensington, London, England, UK
Neighborhood: Kensington
Check availability as rates may vary for dates. Best rate guaranteed.
We’re not generally drawn to traditional hotels, and a Georgian townhouse hotel is about as traditional as it gets in London. But we make exceptions for conservatism in the name of something that’s worth conserving — and the old-school London luxury hotel is a tradition that’s worth hanging on to. And like so many of the purest examples of various national traditions, the Kensington Hotel happens to be a foreign creation: that of the Doyle Collection, an Irish concern.
The South Kensington location, in between Old Brompton and Cromwell Road, is classic West London, close by to Royal Albert Hall and a quick walk from the Brompton Road department stores. But once inside, you’ll find the world shut out — in a city on London’s scale that’s one handy definition of luxury.
150 rooms and suites vary considerably in size and layout, but all are decorated in a smart mix of classic and contemporary, and all are exceedingly comfortable, if not excessively opulent. Services are comprehensive, with a well-equipped fitness center and an excellent bar and restaurant, Aubrey. There’s a kind of high-end hotel that’s all about the appearance of luxury — this is the other kind, the one that’s made for life, not theatre.
How to get there:
The Kensington Hotel is a 6-minute walk from the South Kensington tube station. If you're arriving from Heathrow Airport the most convenient transfer option to central London is the Heathrow Express train, which leaves Heathrow Airport every 15 minutes and takes 15 minutes to arrive at Paddington Station. One-way fares are available from £18 and round-trip fares from £32. By black cab, The Kensington is approximately a 45-minute ride from Heathrow Airport (depending on traffic) and can cost upwards of £50.
- Complimentary upgrade upon hotel check-in, based upon availability
- One complimentary glass of champagne or one cocktail, per guest, upon arrival
- Complimentary fruit plate, refreshed daily throughout the course of the stay
- 20% discount on all food purchased in the hotel (inc breakfast, lunch or dinner)
- 150 Rooms
- Style: Contemporary Classic
- Atmosphere: Lively
- 58 Guest Reviews
- The Kensington Hotel
- 109-113 Queen's Gate, South Kensington
- London, England, UK
- Neighborhood: Kensington
Hotel amenities and services
- 100% non-smoking hotel
- 24 hour front desk
- Bar
- Luggage storage
- Restaurant
Other London hotels
58 Guest Reviews
All reviews are from Tablet guests with verified stays.
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- Ron
- Stayed June 2013
- Rating: Good
What I liked:
Close to Old Brompton Rd and Kings Road
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing, had a wonderful stay!
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- Henry
- Stayed March 2013
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
I have stayed at many different hotels in London, and I finally found one that I really like. It has a good style balance, which for me is midway between chic and traditional. The public area was excellent, because I need a place to entertain clients and to meet friends afterwards. Thanks to a TabletPlus upgrade upon check-in, I had a wonderful room with the best ensuite bathroom I have ever enjoyed.
When I booked the reservation I was concerned about the location, but it was always easy to find a taxi, and the tube is 5 minutes away on foot. It's also very convenient to the Kings Road and shopping.
What the hotel could do better:
Funny, for such a big room there was no workspace, just a small round table that was always cluttered with hotel magazines, fruit plates, and such. Similarly, electric outlets were not convenient to access, and I had to pull away the bedside tables to recharge my iphone and tablet.
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- Sarah
- Stayed May 2013
- Rating: Excellent
What I liked:
Fantastic location, beautiful lobby, great service, nice rooms, quiet, close to tube.
What the hotel could do better:
Nothing, had a wonderful stay!
