5 Great Places to Stay in Kensington

London is a big city with lots of different areas to visit. It can be slow getting around the city even by black taxi so it is a good idea to choose your hotel based on what you are planning on doing when in London.

Kensington and nearby Chelsea have lots of things to do and lots of places to visit including some of London's best shopping streets and some of London's best museums and art galleries. Kensington is also just a short bus, tube or taxi ride from the West End and all the tourist attractions that boasts too.

That makes Kensington a great area of London for many travellers to stay in. There are plenty of hotels in Kensington and the surrounding area to choose from so you really are spoiled for choice. To help relieve the confusion of that choice we have put together our recommendations for the best places to stay in Kensington.

The Milestone Hotel and Residences

The five-star Milestone Hotel & Residences is perfectly located opposite Kensington Palace and Gardens, and close to the Royal Albert Hall and High Street Kensington. Expect warm smiles and faultless service from the friendly staff. The rooms are beautifully decorated with rich furnishings, and original artworks. The hotel's Cheneston's Restaurant offers a superb fine dining experience with a menu featuring many British classics. Brunch and afternoon tea are served in the chic conservatory with the afternoon tea well worth reserving some time for. The unique split-level Stables Bar is perfect for relaxing in after a busy day shopping in nearby Knightsbridge.

The Ampersand Hotel

Quirky but luxurious The Ampersand Hotel is the second small luxury hotel on our list. It is just a few minutes walk from three of London's best museums, The Science Museum, The V&A, and the Natural History Museum.

The hotel's restaurant and bar, Apero, offers vibrant Mediterranean food in a relaxed and informal setting whilst an award winning afternoon tea and light refreshments are available in The Drawing Room lounge bar.

The hotel also has a small but well equipped gym if you get a bit carried away by all the tasty treats on offer.

The Berkeley Hotel

The Berkeley Hotel started life more than 300 years ago as a coffee house on the corner of Piccadilly and Berkeley Street, opposite where The Ritz hotel stands today. The coffee house transformed into a guest house and then a hotel eventually becoming known as The Berkeley.

In 1974 it moved from Piccadilly to its current location in South Kensington but remained a favourite with Londoners with a taste for luxury, and well heeled traveller.

The hotel's main restaurant, Marcus may have lost one of its Michelin stars but you would not know it from the sumptuous British dishes they serve. The second restaurant, The Collins Room, is less formal but just as sophisticated as is the hotel's Blue Bar where you can sip a signature cocktail in a lively and fun atmosphere.

Other notable facilities include the tranquil pool; the secret rooftop garden with it's spectacular views across Hyde Park; and the new fully equipped gym. A nice touch offered by The Berkeley to its guests is the free to use "Berkeley Bikes" you can borrow for a cycle around Hyde Park.

Hotel London Kensington by Meliá

The four star Hotel London Kensington is a reasonably priced boutique hotel in South Kensington. It is a few moments walk from Gloucester Road Underground Station so it is easy to get to from Heathrow airport and is well placed as a base for exploring London from.

The hotel offers a good balance between cost and facilities with the rooms and suites being well equipped and well designed. Some room types are a little small for my personal preference so if you like your space check the type of room you are booking before you book.

The hotel has its own English Pub, the Polo Bar which is comfortable and informal. The hotel's cafe restaurant, The Jam Cupboard, is well regarded and serves reasonably priced British favourites. The hotel also has a fully equipped gym.

The Rembrandt Hotel

Another four star hotel recommendation is the Rembrandt Hotel. It prides itself on getting the details right and they certainly have some interesting USPs. For example every guest receives a smartphone with unlimited calls and data to use throughout their stay as they please. It is well equipped in terms of facilities with a swimming pool and sauna.

The hotel is situated near the boundary between South Kensington and Knightsbridge, almost equidistant to Harrods and the Science Museum. If you like shopping but your wife likes science you can go your separate directions and rendez-vous at the hotel with ease.

The Rembrandt’s recently refurbished Palette Restaurant serves a range of British and international dishes. The highlight is the all-you-can-eat carvery serving traditional roast lunch which is available most days of the week and always on Sundays.

The 1606 Lounge Bar is a cosy space for light meals, snacks, afternoon tea, and a pint of beer, glass of wine or cocktail. With its comfy sofas and armchairs and its crackling fire in winter it's a cosy spot to relax after a busy day.

If you decide to stay in Kensington it is definitely worth booking your hotel as early as possible to get the best rates as nearby events held at venues such as Kensington Olympia can mean there is exceptionally high demand for accommodation in Kensington at times.

If you visited London recently and stayed in Kensington we would love for you to write a review for the hotel you stayed at, For more hotel recommendations take a look at our London blog.