Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Traditional service and Victorian grandeur come together with sleek style and contemporary comfort at the Kensington, in one of London’s most cosmopolitan neighbourhoods. Embrace a sophisticated member’s club vibe, whether over afternoon tea in the light, lively drawing rooms, cocktails in glamorous K Bar, or dinner in the refined Town House. From the splendour of The Brompton Suite to the contemporary charm of The Knightsbridge Suite, the hotel’s signature suites offer comfort and space, with The Kensington Suite offering one of London’s largest townhouse suite, with three bedrooms. Set in the heart of one of London’s most desirable neighbourhoods, The Kensington’s grand stucco façade is characteristic of this affluent 19th Century district, home to cultural treasures such as the Natural History and the Victoria & Albert Museums and the Royal Albert Hall, with the green spaces of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park; and world-famous Harrods and Harvey Nichols only a short walk away.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to TheAA: The Automobile Association.
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
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The Kensington Hotel emerges as a top choice for its stellar location in the heart of Kensington, with guests lauding its proximity to cultural hotspots and transport links. The hotel's service is often described as impeccable, with a warm and professional staff delivering personalized attention.
While the ambiance receives high marks for its elegance and cozy charm, opinions on value are mixed; some guests consider the costs steep relative to room size and services. Nonetheless, the hotel's cleanliness and amenities are consistently praised, solidifying its reputation for luxury and comfort.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Inviting
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Immaculate
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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We stayed for 3 nights to enjoy Christmas shopping and loved the location which is a 5 min walk to the underground station with lots of nice cafes and restaurants close by, the hotel lobby, bar and drawing room are stunning but beware of the rooms! We booked a classic room (room 125) which was tiny! I dread to think what the ‘Cosy’ rooms are like unless that’s what we were given! No drawers or space for clothes except some hangers which would be ok for 1 night or one adult in room but not ideal for 3 nights. We had a surprise when checking out to find another guest billed their breakfast to our room! The hotel should verify surnames for all charges and not accept a scribbled signature!!
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Date of stay: December 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Boyan Antonov, Guest Services / Front Office at The Kensington
Responded Dec 22, 2024
Dear Louise, Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback following your recent stay in The Kensington. We are absolutely delighted to read how much you enjoyed the drawing room, the bar and the lobby and I hope all of our team members managed to make your stay memorable. I am really sorry to see that the room allocated to you was not up to your expectations. As you are aware, here in The Kensington we have a range of rooms and categories and we would love to be able to offer a more acceptable room on a future stay. I am also sorry to see that there was an incorrect posting on your account, however glad to see that the team managed to sort this out for you quite swiftly. We hope we will have the opportunity to welcome you back very soon. Kind regards, The Kensington Team
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The hotel is very centrally located in beautiful surroundings and is very tastefully and stylishly British, but not overloading, and decorated to match the architecture of the house. All staff are perfectly trained, extremely friendly and very service-oriented. The breakfast that was fortunately served was excellent and beautifully arranged. . Special requests were gladly considered. At the reception there were no waiting times and you were treated very appreciatively. The We felt very comfortable during our 4-day stay and can absolutely recommend the place. However, I would like to make two negative points. We didn't like the fact that the only small window in our deluxe room consisted of a frosted glass pane that concealed the view of an unsightly backyard shaft. This lack of views does not justify the high room rate. The final invoice automatically included a “voluntary tip” of 5 percent calculated on the total room price, which you are not obliged to pay. This is a unique and annoying procedure for us.
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Date of stay: September 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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From the warm welcome on arrival we knew this would be a good stay. The Kensington is an upmarket, luxury hotel, within walking distance of the Natural History Museum and the V&A. The public areas are comfy and cosy with several corners to sit and relax in. The K Bar is a lovely, dimly-lit bar with knowledgeable bar staff who can make almost any drink you desire. Their website wine list stated several non-alcoholic wines should be available but they sadly weren’t. However, Stefano went out of his way to make me a ‘Bright and Stormy’! The room was spacious, luxurious and well appointed. Daisy on Reception was very friendly and helpful too. Breakfast was tasty with a wide range of dishes to choose from - the coconut yoghurt was delicious! Be aware that there is an additional 5% charge added to any activity carried out for you by a member of staff, but this is discretionary. We would definitely stay at this hotel again.
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Cleanliness
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Boyan Antonov, Guest Services / Front Office at The Kensington
Responded Feb 15, 2025
Dear tagos2025, Thank you for sharing your kind feedback! We’re so pleased to hear that your stay with us was such a positive experience. It’s great to know that you appreciated our location, the comfortable public spaces, and the luxury of your room. We’re also happy you enjoyed the variety at breakfast, and we’re especially glad you liked the coconut yogurt! We appreciate your understanding regarding the wine list and are so pleased that Stefano was able to make you the ‘Bright and Stormy.’ It’s always our pleasure to go the extra mile for our guests, and your mention of Daisy’s helpfulness at reception will surely put a smile on her face. Thank you for bringing up the additional charge policy. We aim for transparency, and we’re glad to hear it didn’t detract from your overall experience. We look forward to welcoming you back on your next visit to London! Warm regards, Boyan Antonov Assistant Front of House Manager
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Stayed at The Kensington during a weekend visit to London. The Kensington is an elegant property located in beautiful South Kensington .
All team members encountered from the front desk to the restaurant delivered an excellent guest experience. Service was 10/10.
I stayed in a “cosy room” which was perfect for a weekend break. The room was quiet, comfortable and housekeeping standards were excellent.
Desk space is limited in the “cosy room”, so for a business stay or longer stay it may be worth selecting a larger room type.
Food and beverage staff were very knowledgeable and accommodating for food allergies. I would especially like to recognise Robert for his attention to detail in this area during breakfast service.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with friends
Room Tip:Avoid the “cosy room” if you need desk space to work
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Muhuba Anshoor, Other at The Kensington
Responded Dec 11, 2023
Dear Matthew M, Thank you for choosing The Kensington for your weekend visit to London and taking the time to share your positive experience. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the elegant property, excellent service, and the comfort of your "cosy room." It's great to know that our team members, especially Robert, made your breakfast experience memorable. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you back for another excellent stay. Kind regards, Muhuba Anshoor Executive Assistant and Business Excellence
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The staff at the Kensington were very friendly throughout our stay. The room and bed was both clean and comfortable it felt like a home away from home. However, attention to detail was lacking slightly, there where drip marks on the wall outside our room, the seal needed replacing on the bathroom as it was allowing water through and causing a puddle in the bathroom. The handles had been changed on the wardrobe but were loose and smaller than the originals so you could see were the doors needed to be painted and made it noisy to open and close. Also there was a section of floor in the corridor that squeaked and when people walked over it would wake us up as the door didn't provide much sound proofing from the rest of the corridor. However, we did sleep very well when we weren't awoken by this. The robes and slippers were very comfortable and the rain shower was great after a long day exploring. A huge selection of toiletries available in the rooms perfect if you have forgotten to pack anything. Dinner in the Town House restaurant was lovely, great portions and very tasty. Location was perfect for visiting the Natural History Museum and the V&A as both in walking distance, getting the tube from South Kensington was a short walk or a cab was simple from outside the hotel. Overall it was a very positive experience, we would stay again but some small improvements would really make this perfect.
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Date of stay: February 2025
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Boyan Antonov, Guest Services / Front Office at The Kensington
Responded 3 weeks ago
Dear Rushton605, Thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed review of your recent stay with us at The Kensington. We're so glad to hear that our friendly staff, comfortable room, and excellent location contributed to your overall positive experience. It’s great to know that you enjoyed the rain shower, robes, slippers, and the wide selection of toiletries in the room! We truly appreciate your feedback about the areas where we can improve, particularly regarding the maintenance issues you noted. Please rest assured that your comments regarding the seal in the bathroom, the wardrobe handles, and the squeaky floor will be addressed promptly, as we always aim to maintain the highest standards of comfort and attention to detail. We're also glad that despite these minor issues, you were able to sleep well and enjoy your time with us. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed dinner at The Town House restaurant and found our location so convenient for your cultural explorations. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future and hope that your next stay will be flawless. Thank you again for choosing The Kensington, and we truly value your feedback! Warm regards, Boyan Antonov Assistant Front of House Manager
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There are places you travel to that leave an indelible mark on not only the journey but in your mind as well. My wife and I were just here last week and while we've been fortunate to stay at many lovely accommodations, The Kensington is head and shoulders above. From the first moment we contacted the Hotel via email we were treated as almost family, their messages we're always helpful and they followed up very timely on every question and request (we live in NY). Our online booking was seamless, the team went out of their way to be helpful including booking dinner reservations both for the Hotel and for other recommended restaurants. When we arrived (late due to train issues) everyone had a smile to share and were so very accommodating. They even upgraded our room without us asking! Our room was beautifully appointed with a king bed, large bathroom (with heated floors! - oh yeah!) and all the sundries and little extras too. Turn down service was offered, and all our bathroom linens and supplies were refreshed and the staff was kind enough to leave extra bottles of water too. We stopped into the main lounge and bar before dinner the first evening, a wonderfully cozy room with a polished winding bar and a great selection of beverages. Dinner afterwards (at The Townhouse) was just spot on - served at a wonderful and friendly pace, delicious and well sized portions. Wine list, while not expansive, certainly covered all our needs (I had the 2018 Rathfinny Rosé Brut from East Sussex to start and Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico). All the seating areas in the multiple lounges were very comfortably appointed. I can see how a guest could while away a whole morning with little effort! The Hotel is wonderfully located for walkers like my wife and I, but getting a cab or car was simple as well. We also took tea one afternoon at the Hotel; the theme was "Around the World in 80 Days" and the food was all inspired by the cuisines from London, Paris, Rome and Cairo. Just wonderful! I think I may be running out of space to write, so let me end it with this, next time we travel to London, every time we travel to London, The Kensington will be our home away. Thank you for all you did to make our stay brilliant!
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Date of stay: December 2022
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Dita Klavina, Other at The Kensington
Responded Dec 14, 2022
Dear Mr and Mrs Cadregari, It was a pleasure to welcome you to The Kensington recently and thank you for your lovely review and your wonderful compliments. These are the stories that keeps us so motivated to continue doing what we're doing, and we are thrilled to know that you enjoyed every aspect of your stay. I will be delighted to share your kind words with all the team who I know will be looking forward to your next visit. A very warm welcome back to The Kensington awaits you both, but in the meantime, we send you every possible good wish for a wonderful Christmas. May this season be full of love, laughter and joy for you and your family! Warm Regards, Dita Klavina Executive Assistant and Business Excellence
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Had potential. Zero help upon arrival, staff sat at front desk and watched us struggle up the front stairs with suitcases, open the door ourselves, and get to the front desk without assistance. Bathroom door handle was broken, sink clogged, shower door broken, shower water temperature went from hot to cold every second. They fixed the doors when asked, but at a place like this why did I have to ask? How many times was that room serviced and they noticed the issues but didn’t bother to fix them? The sink stayed clogged the whole time. Bring an eye mask and ear plugs if you plan to sleep at all, window coverings are a joke and the room was extremely bright all night and loud. It’s a beautiful building and had potential but we were sorely disappointed and will not be back.
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Date of stay: March 2025
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I stayed at The Kensington for two weeks over Christmas and New Year 2024/25 and thoroughly enjoyed every moment in this warm, friendly and upscale hotel. The location in South Kensington is perfect for the museums and nearby tube station, making access to central London attractions easy while being away from the noise and congestion of the city center. Our room was large and immaculate with room and turn-down service every day, and plenty of closet and shelf space. We had breakfast, afternoon tea, bar snacks and Christmas Dinner during our stay, all of which were excellent. The staff are so friendly, professional and accommodating we felt part of a large family over the Holidays and the Christmas decorations, warm fireplaces and surprise gifts on Christmas Eve and the day itself made the entire experience very special. Our special thanks go to Jervi and Daisy in reception; Emiliano, Arman and George at the concierge desk; Daniela and Chandan in the restaurant; Antonio, Adi and Krish in the bar; hostesses Zainab and Idil in the lounge; and Mario at the door. You all made our trip very special and we will definitely stay here again whenever we are in London.
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Date of stay: December 2024
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Boyan Antonov, Guest Services / Front Office at The Kensington
Responded Feb 15, 2025
Dear John, Thank you for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with us! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you and your wife had such a memorable stay with us over the festive season. It’s fantastic to know that our location, service, and holiday touches helped make your Christmas and New Year special. We’re so glad you enjoyed your room, our dining options, and the festive atmosphere we work hard to create. It’s wonderful to hear that you felt part of our extended Kensington family during your stay. We will be sure to pass along your heartfelt thanks to Jervi, Daisy, Emiliano, Arman, George, Daniela, Chandan, Antonio, Adi, Krish, Zainab, Idil, and Mario – they’ll be delighted to know their efforts helped make your trip so memorable. We can’t wait to welcome you both back to The Kensington the next time you’re in London! Warm regards, Boyan Antonov Assistant Front of House Manager
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I cannot express enough the quality of the customer service at the Kensington. The concierge team (Emiliano and Silvio) were extremely helpful, kind and supportive in a very difficult situation. Our car suffered a breakdown in front of the hotel's entrance last night and needed to be towed away. Silvio at the time was very compassionate about the situation and offered us the chance to use the hotel restrooms until the breakdown company arrives. Unfortunately, the towing company showed up with the wrong tow truck and they put an order for a different truck which would take around 3 hours. It was already 1 am and we had to get home due to work. Silvio kindly agreed to keep the car key at the hotel reception's safe place to allow us to go home whilst the towing company make their way to collect the car. The towing company took several hours and Silvio kindly liaised with Emiliano to continue looking after the keys until the car is picked up. The team continued voluntarily to give us regular updates about the status of the car and continued to reassure us that they will make sure it is picked up nicely. Few hours late the towing company showed up and Emiliano gave us a call to confirm that everything is sorted. This is so humane from the concierge who understood what it is like to suffer such an incident late night in London. I cannot be grateful enough and recommend them as a hotel and leisure destination. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.
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Date of stay: October 2024
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Trip type: Travelled solo
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Boyan Antonov, Guest Services / Front Office at The Kensington
Responded Nov 13, 2024
Dear 899majda, What a heartwarming story! Thank you so much for sharing your feedback and may I just say how proud we are of Silvio and Emiliano for going above and beyond in your time of need. I understand how stressful it can be to unexpectedly have to go through such horrible time and I am glad that the gentlemen were there for you. I hope we will have the pleasure of welcoming you back, albeit in better circumstances. Thank you once again. Kind regards, Boyan Antonov
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We very much enjoyed our stay at the Kensington, our room (four poster suite) was comfortable, a decent size, and all amenities you could need. The bathroom was of good size, and clean, the toiletries available are also lovely, so much so we have purchased them to use at home. What really makes this hotel though is the staff, they are courteous, polite and so so helpful nothing is too much trouble. The only thing we didn’t enjoy was eating here, not because of the good that is very good but eating a meal at from a sofa or lounge chair with a low table was not particularly comfy especially when you are tall. Was great for sandwiches and light bites but not for a meal requiring cutlery. The hotel location is great for exploring, walking distance to history and science museum, the v & a, short taxi ride to oxford street, Piccadilly, and Covent garden (approx £20) We walked to Harrods and Harvey Nichols and stopped at some of the Lovely cafes and cake shop along route (without stopping would take approx 25-30 minutes at a leisurely pace). Hotel also offered us umbrellas to use while out for the day as rain was predicted. We used the car park recommend by hotel, some spaces are quite tight but it really does depend on what’s left when you arrive as how you’d find it, close proximity though meaning we could drop our shopping off easily at our car rather than having to checkout with our regular luggage and shopping all at once. Before booking I called reception with a few questions, about room selections, dietary requirements, the receptionist was fab answered all my questions, helped me choose a room, and then worked out which was best deal to use for our length of stay to maximise value for money. I definitely recommend booking directly via telephone.
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Date of stay: August 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Yannick Godfrind, Guest Services / Front Office at The Kensington
Responded Aug 24, 2021
Dear Kpeddel, I was so pleased to learn how you enjoyed every aspect of your recent stay and thank you for your warm words, which I have shared with the entire team who are thrilled you took away such fond memories. We look forward to welcoming you back to The Kensington very soon. Kind regards, Yannick Godfrind Front Office Manager
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Dear arwadelovely,
We have classic twin rooms that have 2 single beds allowing 2 adults to share the rooms and also family suites that have 1 king bed and 2 single beds allowing 2 adults and 2 children or 3 adults to share a room. My recommendation is to call the hotel and book directly so they can assist you with booking the correct room category for your needs. Kind regards, Hotel Management
Dear AstrosFan,
Thank you very much for your inquiry.
I would love to make notes of your preferences in your booking to fulfill your requests. Would you be so kind as to share with us the confirmation number of your booking. You can call 02075896300 at your convenience.
Looking forward to hearing back from you.
Warmest regards,
Margaux Sposito
Guest Relations Executive
I am unable to answer to the question about the airco but anyhow ask for a room located on the front side of the hotel and not giving on the rear court where the air filters and kitchen machinery are. This hotel is not free of sound and maybe not convenient for sound sensitive people.
There are more places to choose from in the London area.
PRICE RANGE
C$406 - C$734 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
kensington hotel london
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandLondonSouth Kensington
NUMBER OF ROOMS
150
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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