The Kensington

We’re not generally drawn to traditional hotels, and a Georgian townhouse hotel is about as traditional as it gets in London. But we make exceptions for conservatism in the name of something that’s worth conserving — and the old-school London luxury hotel is a tradition that’s worth hanging on to. And like so many of the purest examples of various national traditions, the Kensington happens to be a foreign creation: that of the Doyle Collection, an Irish concern.

The South Kensington location, in between Old Brompton and Cromwell Road, is classic West London, close by to Royal Albert Hall, the V&A and Hyde Park, or a quick walk from Harrods and the shops of Brompton Road. But once inside, you’ll find the world shut out — in a city on London’s scale that’s one handy definition of luxury.

150 rooms and suites vary considerably in size and layout, but all are decorated in a smart mix of classic and contemporary, and all are exceedingly comfortable, if not excessively opulent. Services are comprehensive, with a well-equipped fitness center and an excellent bar and restaurant, Town House and K Bar. There’s a kind of high-end hotel that’s all about the appearance of luxury — this is the other kind, the one that’s made for life, not theatre.

How to get there: The Kensington is a 6-minute walk from the South Kensington tube station. If you're arriving from Heathrow Airport the most convenient transfer option to central London is the Heathrow Express train, which leaves Heathrow Airport every 15 minutes and takes 15 minutes to arrive at Paddington Station. One-way fares are available from £25 and round-trip fares from £37. By black cab, the Kensington is approximately a 45-minute ride from Heathrow Airport (depending on traffic) and can cost upwards of £50.