Part of The Doyle Collection, The Kensington is a luxury hotel in the heart of South Kensington, set across a row of handsome Victorian townhouses on Queen’s Gate. Having recently stayed at its sister property, The Bloomsbury, I was looking forward to experiencing another of The Doyle Collection’s London hotels — once again accompanied by my little hotel connoisseur, Charlotte.
About The Kensington
The Kensington occupies a striking white stucco-fronted terrace of historic townhouses on Queen’s Gate, retaining much of the character and grandeur of its original architecture. High ceilings, fireplaces and period details are paired with a warmer, more contemporary approach to the interiors, where rich colours, botanical prints and fresh flowers give the hotel the feel of a stylish London residence.
The hotel forms part of The Doyle Collection, an Irish family-owned luxury hotel group whose properties include The Bloomsbury and The Marylebone in London, alongside hotels in Dublin, Cork, Bristol and Washington DC.
Rather than feeling like a conventional five-star hotel, The Kensington has the atmosphere of a beautifully appointed private residence. Its interconnected drawing rooms, open fires, bookshelves and inviting corners make the ground floor an appealing place to settle in with a drink or linger over afternoon tea.
Its South Kensington location is equally appealing. The Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum and Science Museum are all just a short walk away, as is the Royal Albert Hall, while Hyde Park and the boutiques and department stores of Knightsbridge are also within easy walking distance.
Check availability and current rates at The Kensington
Afternoon Tea at Town House
We arrived at The Kensington around midday and, while our suite was being prepared, settled in for the quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea.
Served within the hotel’s elegant drawing rooms, The Kensington’s Summer Afternoon Tea draws inspiration from the flavours and nostalgia of a British summer. It felt like a fitting way to begin our stay, allowing us to relax and take in the surroundings over a leisurely afternoon tea.
The experience began with a glass of Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine, followed by freshly brewed pots of tea alongside an assortment of finger sandwiches and warm scones served with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam. The sweeter side of the menu continued the summer theme with a beautifully presented array of pastries, including a British raspberry and elderflower tart, rose and pistachio Battenberg and an Eton Mess pavlova.
With its open fireplaces, artwork and elegant interiors, the drawing room setting has the relaxed feel of a private London residence, making it easy to linger over tea rather than feel rushed.
Charlotte was able to join us too, which made the experience all the more enjoyable and is something I always appreciate when visiting a dog-friendly hotel in London.
Our Studio Suite at The Kensington
For our stay, we checked into one of The Kensington’s Studio Suites, which immediately felt light, spacious and inviting.
One of my favourite features was the gorgeous four-poster bed, which made a striking focal point within the room. A particularly thoughtful detail was finding my initials embroidered onto the pillowcase — a small, personalised touch that made the welcome feel all the more special. Floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the suite with natural light, while a sitting area and desk provided plenty of space to relax. I particularly loved the statement wallpaper paired with matching curtains, which gave the room plenty of character while still feeling refined.
I was greeted with a thoughtful selection of amenities, including a bouquet of flowers, chocolates and a fresh fruit platter, alongside a chilled bottle of Charles Heidsieck Champagne — always one of my favourite things to find waiting in a hotel room!
The bathroom was equally well appointed, with double sinks, a rain shower and a freestanding bathtub, which was perfect for a long bubble bath later that evening. Fluffy bathrobes and Frédéric Malle toiletries completed the experience.
A Pink Princess Welcome for Charlotte
Of course, Charlotte received a welcome of her own — and The Kensington certainly understood the assignment!
Waiting for her in the suite was a pink dog bed, complete with her own pillow embroidered with her initials, along with dog bowls and treats. She was also given an adorable pink Champagne bottle toy and a matching pink tiara. I thought the personalised pillow was particularly sweet — a thoughtful detail to match my own.
The hotel welcomes small dogs and cats of up to approximately 10kg, with a fixed daily pet charge of £50 added to the final bill. Service animals are exempt from the daily fee.
A Relaxing Evening in Our Suite
After an indulgent afternoon tea, Charlotte and I were more than happy to spend the rest of the day enjoying our suite. Rather than heading out again that evening, I placed a slightly cheeky room-service order of fries before curling up in front of the TV. Sometimes it’s these simple, unplanned moments that end up being some of the most enjoyable parts of a hotel stay.
And, of course, the freestanding bathtub was far too tempting not to make use of, so a warm bubble bath was very much on the evening agenda.
Breakfast in Our Suite
One of my favourite ways to start the morning at a hotel is with breakfast in the room, especially when staying in a spacious suite.
The following morning, I ordered breakfast to enjoy in the comfort of our room: a full English accompanied by a basket of freshly baked pastries, yoghurt with granola and an assorted fresh fruit platter.
With the morning light streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, it was a relaxing way for Charlotte and me to spend our final few hours at The Kensington before checking out.
Getting There
The Kensington is located on Queen’s Gate in South Kensington, making it easy to reach by public transport.
South Kensington Underground station is under a 10-minute walk from the hotel and is served by the Piccadilly, District and Circle lines, providing convenient connections across central London and directly to areas including Covent Garden, Westminster and King’s Cross St Pancras. Gloucester Road Underground station is also within walking distance and is served by the same three Underground lines.
For those arriving in London by train, the hotel can be easily reached by taxi or public transport from the city’s major railway stations. Its location is also ideal for exploring South Kensington and neighbouring Knightsbridge on foot, with the V&A, Natural History Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park and Harrods all nearby.
Final Thoughts
Our stay at The Kensington was a wonderful introduction to another of The Doyle Collection’s London properties and offered a slightly different experience to our recent stay at The Bloomsbury.
From afternoon tea at Town House on arrival to the four-poster bed and light-filled Studio Suite, Champagne waiting in the room and a leisurely breakfast the following morning, there were plenty of thoughtful touches that made the stay feel special without ever feeling overly formal.
For me, however, one of the highlights was seeing how warmly Charlotte was received. Her pink bed, treats, Champagne toy and matching tiara were such a fun touch and perfectly suited my little princess.
For anyone looking for a luxury dog-friendly hotel in South Kensington, The Kensington combines the charm of an elegant London residence with one of the capital’s most desirable locations — while ensuring four-legged guests are made to feel just as at home.
With thanks to The Kensington for hosting us.
If you’re planning a wider UK stay with your dog, I’ve also rounded up my favourite stays in this guide to the best dog-friendly hotels across the UK.
Check availability and current rates at The Kensington
- My stay at The Kensington was complimentary; however, all views and photographs are entirely my own.
