100 Queen’s Gate Hotel, South Kensington – Review

Once the home of aristocrat, William Alexander, The 5-star 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel stands elegantly in the upscale area of South Kensington. The luxury hotel still holds onto its original Victorian charm, with grand chandeliers, paneled walls, plush velvet armchairs, and vintage furnishing.

The hotel is a short walk to some of the most sought-after museums like the Science Museum, Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert museum, and of course London’s famous Hyde Park, all of which can be explored on foot. If you fancy traveling further afield, south Kensington station is only a stone’s throw away.

From the moment you enter the impressive foyer, the warm and friendly hotel team makes you feel totally at home. A little early for check-in, I headed to the ESQ bar for a hot cuppa, where couples sat sipping cocktails, it’s never too early for a tipple… The slick, stylish bar is adorned with some of the best spirits on offer, it was very tempting.

The Rooms

The hotel offers a variety of rooms and suites with a modern Victorian decor, the suites are named after famous Kensington and Chelsea residents, I got the Agatha Cristie suite. Upon opening the door, my bottom jaw hit the floor as I was greeted with a stunningly designed living space. Dark-panelled walls with a bookcase displaying vintage books, a Marshal speaker and vintage accessories, and an inviting plush orange velvet sofa.

Now why have one floor in your suite when you can have two, Upstairs (yes you heard right) was a stylish and minimal bathroom equipped with Molton Brown toiletries and an opulent bedroom featuring a king-size bed, desk, and a walk-in wardrobe equipped with slippers and a fluffy robe, which I took full advantage of!

The suite was decadent, stylish and so beautiful you wouldn’t have blamed me for wanting to stay in, order room service and lounge on the sofa watching a movie, but dinner at Centro restaurant was beckoning.

Cento Restaurant

Cento, offers the very best of traditional Italian cuisine, with a modern and elegant design. For starters, the Polpette is an absolute must, rich chunky beef meatballs in puttanesca sauce on sourdough bread, with a generous shaving of cheese. The knowledgable manager recommended the lobster ravioli which didn’t disappoint, finishing off with a sweet and indulgent warm chocolate cake with vegan vanilla ice-cream. Exceptional service and friendly staff made this solo dining experience wonderful.

Botanical room

The Botanica room is one of those beautiful, totally Instagrammble spaces where guests flock to get their bragging rights photos. White shutters line the walls, with plants dotted around and hanging from the ceiling creating a calm and serene environment. Guests can book in for a floral-inspired afternoon tea menu, priced at £38.33 per person, which is an absolute steal for a hotel afternoon tea offering. Whitard tea is offered or special botanical-themed cocktails, although I didn’t get time to book myself in, I walked by seeing diners with the biggest smiles! They are currently offering 20% off when you book in advance.

The hotel has plenty of charm and elegance, beautifully decorated, with top-notch service from the friendly and accommodating hotel team. There is a gym located in the basement and although there is no hotel spa, the concierge is knowledgeable and will point you in the right direction for the ultimate spa experience nearby. The area has a lot to offer, so make sure you allocate enough time to explore!

Website: www.100queensgate.com

Address 100 Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London SW7 5AG

Written by Nyla S.

Photos courtesy of 100 Queens Gate Hotel and Matthew Shaw

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