Re-launching after a major twelve-month renovation, the property sits in the heart of South Kensington, where Queen’s Gate meets the Old Brompton Road and comprises four traditional white Victorian townhouses. Set amongst the leafy squares, museums and parks of the Royal borough, The Kensington now feels more like a beautiful private residence than traditional hotel. Its 126 rooms and 14 suites are individually designed with elegant fabrics and custom furnishings to complement the hotel’s period architecture.
Completely redesigned spaces include the hotel’s restaurant now called Town House; the fabulous interconnected drawing rooms on the ground floor ideal for afternoon tea or a relaxed meeting; K Bar – a glamorous new bar; and also a new look for all rooms and suites, including the transformation of The Knightsbridge and The Brompton Suites into two of London’s most beautiful accommodations. There is also a new manager at the helm – the charming Simon Maguire formerly of Firmdale Hotels and The Atlantic Hotel in Jersey.
The renovation is part of a multi-million pound investment program across The Doyle Collection’s portfolio of eight properties in the UK, Ireland and Washington DC and is the first of the hotels to unveil a complete new look and style. The re-design – as with all Doyle Collection properties – is overseen by Chairman Bernie Gallagher and the group’s design team whilst collaborating with talented designers to suit different design projects.
The conversion of the three ground floor spaces of The Kensington has been overseen by Alexander Waterworth Interiors, the east London-based design collective well known for its private houses in west London as well as branches of Kerbisher & Malt and The Musket Room in New York.
Town House, the hotel’s elegant dining room, now has its own discreet entrance on Manson Place and is made up of three adjoining rooms. The Library is an intimate space lined with books and collectables, opening into The White Room, with its open fireplace and small covered terrace and, in turn, connecting to The Study. These distinctive, flexible spaces can be used independently or opened up into one larger space, creating a variety of settings for informal dining, cocktail and canapé events or elegant business meetings.
Each room is infused with light from large bay windows and furnished with elegant jewel-toned pieces that perfectly complement the heritage features and contemporary décor. The kitchen is supervised by Executive Chef Steve Gibbs, who trained under the great British chefs Jason Atherton and Mark Hix. His menus offer guests and visitors alike an enticing selection of fresh, seasonal, locally-sourced dishes, served alongside a dazzling cocktail and wine list.
The fresh new look of The Drawing Room makes it set to become a favourite daytime hangout for well-heeled west London neighbours – the perfect space for morning coffee in front of a roaring open fire or an elegant Afternoon Tea, with Gluten-free options and freshly-made juices by The Juicery. Running across the entire front of the hotel, The Drawing Room overlooks the town houses of Queen’s Gate. Intimate, heated outdoor terrace snugs can be booked for drinks or dinner with menus from Town House and K Bar for year-round people watching and a breath of fresh air in the Royal Borough.
The new K Bar makes a beautiful intimate space for hotel guests, visitors to the neighbourhood’s museum quarter and locals alike. Leather wingback chairs, teal and violet velvet sofas and tartan accents combine with heritage sports artwork and memorabilia to create a masculine, members’ club feel and the cocktail menu has been expertly crafted by award-winning bartender Ben Manchester.
The final piece of the puzzle will be the launch of The Brompton Suite in March 2016, with a fresh new design by Emily Brady of Brady Williams Studios of London. Stepping into this 753 sq ft space will feel rather like entering a beautifully appointed luxury apartment in a grand historic building. The suite has been designed to create the look of an art curator’s London apartment and signature details will include a warm oak herringbone wood floor, beautiful 1960’s table lamps, window dressings designed to allow maximum natural light to flood the suite and exceptional views over the rooftops of South Kensington and beyond. The Brompton Suite will interconnect with The Knightsbridge Suite and a Luxury Studio Suite to create a two to three-bedroom space. This suite will compliment the new Knightsbridge Suite – a spectacular large suite with three bedrooms all with en-suite bathrooms, two living rooms and a luxurious daybed.
Kensington is one of London’s most affluent and exclusive neighbourhoods – home to the monarchy at Kensington Palace since 1689 and the official ‘royal borough’ since 1901. Comprising beautiful avenues, garden squares, quaint colourful streets and one off boutiques, it has been one of the favoured places to live and visit of those in the know for many a year. The hotel is situated just a short stroll away from three of London’s top museums – The Victoria and Albert, Natural History and Science Museum. There is also a buzzing café culture and an abundance of restaurants. On a Saturday guests can browse the fresh produce at the weekly South Kensington Farmer’s Market and sample a red velvet cupcake at the internationally renowned Hummingbird Bakery.
The hotel has a fully equipped gym or for those that prefer the outdoors there is the 242-acres of Hyde Park – run, walk, ride a bike or take it easy rowing a boat on the Serpentine. The hotel also offers guests their own Kensington blue Pashley vintage bikes as an alternative to explore the locality, with the option of a picnic prepared by the culinary team. For after dark, guests can party with the locals at one of west London’s exclusive private members clubs, Ramusake, with exclusive access for hotel guests.
