The Kensington Hotel is nestled in the heart of Kensington, a trendy and stylish neighborhood in London. This hotel is the London flagship for the Doyle Collection, an Irish hotel group, and it’s a place that I’ve grown to love over the past year. I’ve had a few stays here and truly cherish getting to know a hotel in depth, rather than just having a quick visit. But this time, I wanted my stay to be truly memorable. So, I decided to celebrate my wedding and going-out anniversary with Mr. O at this wonderful hotel. Call it the Irish connection; it just felt right.
A Warm Welcome Awaits
Stepping into The Kensington Hotel is like entering a beautiful period building. Imagine a stately townhouse, elegant and pristine white. However, the moment you cross the threshold, you’re greeted by a burst of color, creating an incredibly warm and welcoming atmosphere.
From the moment I arrived, the check-in process was swift and seamless. I knew The Kensington Hotel was part of an Irish hotel group, but I wasn’t prepared for the charming Irish accents that permeated my experience. Hearing “Hello Mrs. O’Reilly” with such warmth and sincerity almost made me melt. I was informed that I would be staying in the Brompton Suite and was promptly escorted to the lift.
Personalized Service & Attention to Detail
Throughout my stay, I was truly impressed by the exquisite attention to detail. It felt just right, never overwhelming. I noticed the same meticulousness extended to other guests, many of whom were clearly regulars. The personalized touch made it evident that this hotel truly values its guests.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Brompton Suite was all mine, as I hadn’t pre-booked a specific room type. It felt like a wonderful upgrade from the start.
A Touch of Irish Hospitality
The staff at The Kensington Hotel were exceptionally friendly and welcoming, not just the Irish ones. The hotel had a lovely mix of nationalities, which worked incredibly well. More on those charming Italian accents later!
My luggage wasn’t an issue as I only had an overnight bag, which I was allowed to take straight to my room.
Wi-Fi is complimentary for all guests, which is always a great start.
A Regal and Ravishing Suite
The hotel itself has a unique charm, as someone aptly described it on a review website: “regal but ravishing.” I couldn’t have said it better myself. Our suite was spacious and incredibly comfortable, making it hard to leave. The bedroom was beautifully appointed and uncluttered, a detail I always appreciate.
Two delightful welcome amenities awaited us. The first was a modern twist on the traditional fruit basket, found in the suite’s lounge area. The second, a lovely surprise in the bedroom, was a Mulberry luggage tag for me to remember the hotel on my travels. Such a thoughtful gesture!
A Comfortable and Luxurious Sleep
The bed was a king-sized dream, incredibly comfortable. The bed linen was also top-notch, though I did find it a little odd that there wasn’t a mattress topper. I could feel the edges of the mattress, which wasn’t ideal. I mentioned this to Becky, the fantastic new General Manager (truly a lovely person), who took note and confirmed that the hotel would be replacing all the beds soon.
A Well-Equipped Suite
The wardrobe was a good size, as it should be! There was even an iPhone 4 dock, though I couldn’t use it (I have an iPhone 5).
The bathroom was absolutely stunning – spacious, beautifully appointed, and with ample natural light.
A Heavenly Bath & Shower
The bath was gorgeous (I loved finding petals scattered in it when we returned from dinner), and the shower was outstanding – truly exceptional.
The towels were plush and plentiful, and I was delighted to find Aromatherapy Associates toiletries throughout the hotel, not just in the rooms but also in common areas. The products were a perfect size – not tiny, but not overwhelming either.
A Complete Amenity Kit
Our amenity kit had everything we needed, including a shower cap, which is always a must-have.
I didn’t use the hairdryer this time, but it looked like a proper one.
Cocktails & Conversations
Before dinner, we enjoyed a delightful treat: cocktails. I’d tried Alessandro’s amazing cocktails before and couldn’t wait to go back for more. We were taken on a delightful journey through time and around the world, sampling some of Alessandro’s unique ingredients, brought in from Italy. This award-winning mixologist is a true delight. You’re guaranteed a fantastic evening with his delicious cocktails. He’s a wonderful host, and it was fascinating to see him create incredible concoctions based on simple questions like “Do you like gin?” (of course!) and “Do you like ginger?” (it’s growing on me).
A Lively Dining Experience
We decided to stay for dinner at The Kensington Hotel and were thrilled with the choice. I was incredibly surprised at how bustling the hotel’s common areas were. It was clear the hotel was almost at capacity, but it was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the Drawing Room, the bar, and the restaurant. The turnaround was also impressive. I couldn’t resist going full Irish with my dinner – Irish rock oysters, Dublin Bay prawns, soda bread, and a glass of Pouilly Fume were the perfect choices. We had a fantastic meal, and I’ll definitely be back with friends.
A Delicious Start to the Day
Breakfast is served in the restaurant, with a slight layout change. We actually had the same table for both dinner and breakfast, but it felt entirely different.
I couldn’t fault the continental breakfast – delicious bread (how could they not have amazing bread?), pastries, fresh fruit, and juices. It’s extremely well-priced at £16 per person. If you want something from the cooked menu (including eggs, waffles, and kippers), it’s £21 per person.
Connecting on Social Media
The Wi-Fi worked flawlessly and didn’t keep logging me in and out, which was fantastic.
The hotel even interacts with guests on Twitter, and we had some fun together.
Location, Location, Location
The Kensington Hotel is a mere 5-minute walk from South Kensington Tube station, making it incredibly easy to get around.
Outstanding Value
Rooms start at £180 for promotional rates (I saw a standard room, and it was lovely), which is exceptional value for money, especially in London. Suites start at £500 per night.
A Hidden Gem
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at The Kensington Hotel. It’s truly a special property, a hidden gem. The service was exceptional, but not overly fussy. It simply felt incredibly comfortable. And the best part? When someone finally said, “Top of the morning to you.” Aww.
Share Your Thoughts
Have you visited The Kensington Hotel? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Disclaimer: I was a guest of The Doyle Collection during this stay, but I hope you can see that this didn’t influence my opinions about the hotel. To book your own stay, click here.
