As London’s undisputed museum capital, South Kensington is close to world-famous shopping destinations such as Harrods, Harvey Nichols and the King’s Road, as well as major landmarks including the Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park and the Royal Palaces. Read on for Culture Trip’s list of the best hotels in South Kensington to suit all budgets.
The Ampersand Hotel
Boutique Hotel

The Ampersand Hotel | Courtesy of The Ampersand Hotel / Hotels.com
The rooms at The Ampersand Hotel take their lead from the area’s local landmarks, in particular its museums, with a bird-themed room representing the Natural History Museum, while the Science Museum is channeled by planet-themed decorations in another. While gimmicky can sometimes stray dangerously close to tacky, this boutique hotel — which was built in 1889 — is all luxury. There are five themes governing the design of the hotel: botany, music, geometry, ornithology and astronomy. There’s also a vintage-inspired Mediterranean restaurant and cocktail bar, a wine room, and a vividly coloured, French-style tea room.
Hotel Amenities
Free Wifi
Restaurant
Bar
Gym
Hot tub
Pet Friendly
Business facilities
Childcare
Connecting rooms available
More Info
About the place:
Casual, Quirky, Relaxed, StylishNumber 16 Hotel, Kensington
Boutique Hotel

The Drawing Room at Number 16 | Courtesy of Firmdale Hotels / Hotels.com
Often described as feminine, the rooms at Number 16 are filled with bright, bold and colourful prints and pleasantly clashing patterns, giving it a real sense of personality. With owner Kit Kemp doubling as an interior designer, each modern, English-style room has been given the personal touch, uniquely decorated with its own colour scheme, which is made all the more inviting by large French windows. There’s also a lovely tree-filled patio for guests to enjoy in the summer months, and an airy conservatory for the winter.
Hotel Amenities
Free Wifi
Restaurant
Bar
Hot tub
Crib
Childcare
Connecting rooms available
Non smoking
More Info
About the place:
Casual, City, Cosy, Quirky, Relaxed, StylishBlakes Hotel
Boutique Hotel

Blakes London | Courtesy of Blakes London / Hotels.com
This opulent art deco inspired hotel has a dramatic and theatrical air. The grand restaurant has a long marble bar, black panelling and gold framed mirrors, to make you feel like you’re in some Hollywood golden age movie set. Blakes Below is the name of the dark and mysterious club beneath where many a hedonistic night may be spent.
Hotel Amenities
Free Wifi
Restaurant
Bar
Pet Friendly
Connecting rooms available
Non smoking
More Info
About the place:
City, Design, Quirky, StylishThe Nadler Kensington
Boutique Hotel

The Nadler Kensington | Courtesy of The Nadler Kensington / Hotels.com
A four-star boutique hotel without the extortionate price tag (the founder calls it ‘affordable luxury’), The Nadler is a great option for those wanting to save cash for South Kensington jaunts. Housed in a fresh, white stucco townhouse, The Nadler has eliminated ‘unnecessary extras’ from its 65 rooms, whilst retaining great facilities such as kitchenettes with Nespresso machine, a Brita water filtered tap, and free wifi, all complemented with plush furnishings and sleek design.
Hotel Amenities
Free Wifi
Hot tub
Pet Friendly
Kitchen
Non smoking
More Info
About the place:
City, Stylish, DesignSydney House Hotel
Boutique Hotel

Sydney House Chelsea | Courtesy of Sydney House Chelsea / Hotels.com
Housed just off fashionable King’s Road inside two Georgian townhouses, Sydney House describes itself as a ‘bijou Chelsea pied-à-terre’ — that’s a small and elegant second home in the city, for those of you who don’t speak posh. More relaxed than most on this list, it’s part of a group called Baby Abode, which aims to bring affordable options to the table. The rooms at this four-star hotel — many of which have their own balconies — are modern and bright, with ‘The Room at the Top’ enjoying its own private roof garden.
Hotel Amenities
Free Wifi
Bar
Hot tub
Non smoking
More Info
About the place:
Casual, City, ModernThe Pelham Hotel, Kensington
Boutique Hotel

The Pelham Hotel, Kensington | Courtesy of The Pelham Hotel / Hotels.com
Another Kit Kemp design, The Pelham is a luxury townhouse hotel with a fun and flirty style. Unique, signature furniture and artworks dot the hotel — including a racing measurement chair in the reception — alongside colourful furnishings and antiques. The hotel also boasts some beautiful public spaces including a popular bistro and bar, a stylish, wood-panelled drawing room with honesty bar and fireplace, and a library.
Hotel Amenities
Free Wifi
Restaurant
Bar
Gym
Business facilities
Childcare
Connecting rooms available
Non smoking
More Info
About the place:
Casual, City, Cosy, Design, Quirky, StylishThe Exhibitionist Hotel
Boutique Hotel

The Exhibitionist Hotel | Courtesy of The Exhibitionist Hotel / Hotels.com
Last but certainly not least comes The Exhibitionist — perhaps the most extravagant and eclectic on this list, as its name suggests. This arty boutique hotel in Kensington doubles up as a gallery (actually, there are eight), and describes itself as ‘an intervention, a blazing flash of anarchic colour and curatorial precision; it is the ultimate expression of the new boutique. While we’re not sure anything with so hefty a price tag can be called anarchic, The Exhibitionist certainly is a sight to behold. Spaces in the hotel are opened up for artists to display their work, the collection being switched up twice a year, while set pieces such as a life-sized bull and a Jimmie Martin mannequin lamp decorate the open-plan ground floor.
Hotel Amenities
Free Wifi
Restaurant
Bar
Bathtub in
Non smoking
More Info