Review: 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel
Review: 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel
A peaceful retreat in South Kensington
Set in the heart of pretty South Kensington among stuccoed townhouses is 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel. Everything is ‘grammable about it, from the moment you approach with its white pillars, balconies and grand entrance that are so typical of this part of town.
The reception is chic, stylish, there’s a grand staircase with a stunning lighting feature taking you down to a basement bar and there’s a bright and leafy conservatory for afternoon tea.
The design here is spot-on – it might be part of the Hilton group but it gives off boutique hotel vibes. This is helped by the fact it is made up of a series of townhouses and while there are over 200 rooms, it still retains that personal feel.
It’s part of Hilton’s Curio Collection, properties that have been selected because of their unique character. 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel combines Victorian charm with modern touches. No two bedrooms are the same and there are also 11 suites each named after famous residents who once lived in the neighbourhood, including Agatha Christie, Henry James, and Alexander Fleming.
We checked in to our room, the Sir William Crookes suite, for our family of four. The décor is lovely with fabulous touches but the room has a quirk in that the window looks directly onto some kind of outside store so there is only a few inches of sky visible – it was fine for our overnight stay but would have become quite claustrophobic. The bathroom is also very small. Worth noting though that all of the bedrooms are unique in size and shape due to the origins of the building, with many having a view over the tree lined Queen’s Gate.
We went for a drink in ESQ, the hotel bar, which has been inspired by a former resident, the Victorian aristocrat William Alexander. Pause to admire the lights at the top of the staircase – they really are stunning – then descend into another tasteful yet fun space that looks like it’s straight out of the pages of an interiors magazine. Cocktails are good too – with hubby impressed by Last Samurai, similar to a Negroni but with lavender syrup and presented in a lab-style flask to pour yourself.
It was then on to Cento, the hotel’s restaurant, which has recently relaunched with an Italian menu. The dishes on offer include crowd-pleasers such as calamari to start, a range of pizza-like Pinsa Romana, as well as the likes of grilled sea bass and chicken Milanese. It’s all very reasonably priced too, with a veggie pasta dish and chicken Caesar at £13.
The children loved the starters of meatballs and calamari. I tried a generous mound of burrata to start and then a delicious and perfectly cooked risotto with squid ink. Cornetto with hazelnut sauce is literally a gorgeous sweet concoction of warm croissant, ice cream and chocolate.
We slept soundly. Beds are comfy and the sofa bed worked well for the kids. Breakfast is served buffet style in Cento with a good selection of Continental and cooked dishes on offer. And it’s a lovely light space to enjoy it all.
Location-wise, it couldn’t be better. South Kensington’s museums are just around the corner, head to the stores in Knightsbridge, or take a stroll in Kensington Park. Given the prices, 100 Queen’s Gate is one to have on your radar for a cheeky night away. Or if you’re in the neighbourhood, book for afternoon tea or a meal here. It’s all very reasonable and its tranquil public rooms are a lovely break from the bustling museums.
An overnight stay costs from £284 for two sharing a Queen Room.
