“Kit Kemp’s design creation in South Kensington combines quiet English charm and playfully eclectic prints with a little garden.”
Number Sixteen is a chic and sleek boutique hotel tucked away in London's South Kensington.Surfacing from the tube does nothing to soothe a fretful mind as South Kensington is a throng of bars, restaurants, shops and museums which makes it one of the busiest, most-visited areas of London. You may not immediately associate the area with a decent night's sleep, but Number Sixteen is a white stucco sanctuary. Once just a modest Victorian townhouse, it has been transformed into a luxury B&B by the artful handling of Kit Kemp.
In the reception, the hustle and bustle of the street outside is swallowed up by the boutique hotel's hushed ambience, soft lighting and tastefully muted decor. The service here is relaxed, yet attentive. Check-in is quick and efficient with a staff member hovering close by, ready to give a short tour of the premises.
The facilities
It’s the public spaces that make Number Sixteen special. There are two drawing rooms downstairs that guests make full use of, either curling up on an oversized armchair with a book or lounging on the pillowy sofas with their various Apple appendages. A seductively-lit honesty bar lends a more grown-up mood to the cream-and-gingham shading of the communal areas.
Number Sixteen doesn’t have a restaurant, although there is a 24-hour room service menu to make full use of and plenty of eateries to explore in the surrounding streets. What it does provide is a sumptuous breakfast, served in the summery conservatory that looks out onto a beautiful, lemon-tiled courtyard for languid summer evenings.
The rooms
Each of the 42 rooms has been individually designed. All have a fresh, light touch and a contemporary English twist. Think pure white quilting offset with overstuffed raspberry-striped armchairs, or lustrous wooden furniture balanced by playful elephant prints. The marble bathrooms are spotless, with deep baths, plenty of fluffy towels and a double sink unit. The beds, needless to say, are gorgeous.
Star rating:
Address: 16 Sumner Place, London, England, United Kingdom SW7 3EG
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Address: 16 Sumner Place, London, England, United Kingdom SW7 3EG
Rates from:
GBP 194
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Come for
- Designer Kit Kemp chic
- Appealing little city garden
Not suitable for
- Restaurant lovers - only room service available
Children
Number Sixteen welcomes children, and can provide a babysitter for guests. They offer an extra cot in the room, and interconnecting rooms for families. The hotel staff will also leave a special gift for children in the room.
Eating in
No restaurant but there is room service available in conservatory, garden, library, drawing room or (of course) your bedroom. The famous Firmdale honesty bar is present and correct.
