Knightsbridge Hotel, London, United Kingdom
Knightsbridge Hotel 5 Stars
“A subdued offering from Firmdale, the Knightsbridge boutique still bears the Kit Kemp mark – refined, polished and sophisticated.”
Hotel Overview
Review of Knightsbridge Hotel, by Isabel Clift
One of the smaller hotels in Kit Kemp's Firmdale family, Knightsbridge Hotel is a smart townhouse just around the corner from Harrods. The design references English genteel living, with a big dose of Kemp mischief: the Drawing Room is a modern inversion of a colonial hunting room, and rustic furniture rubs shoulders with contemporary pieces throughout. It's less glitzy than big sisters The Haymarket and Charlotte Street, but has bundles of charm and a dead-on location for posh West End shopping and dining.
The facilities
Safari-print chairs, a pony-skin coffee table, dog cushions, a paper Elk's head lamp and a wooden flamingo...the Drawing Room sounds busy on paper, but tasteful placement and neutral tones makes the Kemp magic work. In the neighbouring Library, Star Trek-style ladders with light-up steps are propped against shelves stacked with second-hand books. An adjoining honesty bar room makes this a popular with gathering point. Afternoon Tea is also served across the Drawing Room and Library, as well as a 24 hour room service menu and full continental breakfasts.
The rooms
Design in the 44 bedrooms works as a quirky balancing act between antique and modern furniture, bright colours and neutral tones. Rooms have their own standout pieces, handpicked by Kemp from French and African markets. Aspiring Carrie Bradshaws will love the closets, which are generously compartmentalised and lit from the inside, while others will appreciate the Tivoli radios, DVD players and flat screen TVs. Granite bathrooms have deep, oak-panelled baths and Miller Harris toiletries.
The Knightsbridge Suite shows off Kemp's eye for contrast. Countrified floral couches share space with modern gold chairs, while a smokey mirrored headboard adds pow-wow to an already impressive four poster bed. Other design stand-outs are a cute curiosity chest and a giant modern chandelier. The suite itself is huge and high-ceilinged, with an original Georgian fireplace - plus, it has its own room-length terrace overlooking the quiet street.
Facilities
Hotel Policies
Awards
"Hot List" Conde Nast Traveller 03Who stays here?
This hotel is great for hip, funky travellers who love a good Kit Kemp design.Come for...
- Kit Kemp's designs
- Art-filled lounges
- Great location: quiet, central, Harrods round the corner
Not Suitable for...
- Lobby living - this is a small, boutique hotel
- Rooms, though luxurious, are not enormous
Children
Children are very welcome at the Knightsbridge Hotel. There is a babysitting service for families, as well as a kids menu from room service upon request. Extra cots can be provided in the room, and there's interconnecting rooms for families.Eating in
Although the Knightsbridge Hotel does not have a restaurant, it does provide full 24 hour room service served in the guest rooms or in the ground floor library and drawing room. There's also an honesty bar.The Press Say
"For travelers who seek action and repose, it could be the perfect spot."The New York Times 06Reviews
Review of The Knightsbridge, by Chloe Loyd
The Knightsbridge Hotel is a contemporary boutique hotel which jostles the largely traditional Chelsea, London townhouse scene. While not the most innovative of designer Tim and Kit Kemp's flourishing hotel group, the Knightsbridge Hotel is a pleasant mix of funky modern furniture and adornments, hand-picked from many corners of the globe, without straying too far from the conventional English luxury comforts that the Chelsea clientele appear to adore.
The facilities
Champagne is served at six in the Africa room, perhaps to be enjoyed on the zebra-print chair amongst other aptly chosen furniture and paintings. Next door, the library offers a relaxing retreat, warmed by the glow of a fire in winter months. In this boutique hotel, contemporary works of art including interesting modern sculpture and paper mache displays fill these rooms and adorn the walls - nothing invasive, but they do add interest. The adjoining honesty bar is small but well stocked. There are no breakfast or restaurant facilities so guests make do with the sitting rooms for their complimentary breakfast or use room service.
The rooms
Each of the 44 bedrooms at the Knightsbridge Hotel is differently and individually decorated in the true Firmdale style. You feel as though every item of furniture, such as the twisted wooden lamp stand and unique, curvaceous drawers in one room, have been specifically chosen for that room alone. The rich, luxurious fabrics that make up the bedspreads and drapes at this boutique hotel are brought over from France and Italy and splash the rooms with bright Mediterranean colours.
Other Firmdale trademarks include the Roberts wirelesses and Paul Smith cameras. The bathrooms are not huge but well lit and with all you might need. Most have modern baths but some have the old-fashioned deep bath tubs. All rooms at Knightsbridge Hotel have good work space with dual-line phones and data ports, air conditioning and double glazing. Mobile phones can also be hired from reception.