The Pelham, London, United Kingdom
The Pelham 4 Stars
“Bright, fashionable and fun, the South Kensington townhouse is both mature and playful – this is Kit Kemp at her best.”
The Press Say
"Hoteliers Tim and Kit Kemp have created a small empire of country-house hotels designed for urban sophisticates. But perhaps their best property remains one of the originals: the Pelham, a stylish, town-house-like hotel in South Kensington" New York Times 06
Hotel Overview
Review of The Pelham, by The TI Review Team
By TI reviewer Lorna Hansen Forbes
The Pelham Hotel in South Kensington is distinctly English, with a signature designer Kit Kemp twist - it's discreet, cosy and exceptionally well-groomed. Most crucially this boutique hotel feels like home, elegant yet inspiring and individual.
Public rooms are warm, intimate and detailed. The living room has an open fire, a glistening bar and a series of glimmering mirrors. The library has gorgeous deep scarlet seats and shelves full of rare editions. The staff are delightful here, with thorough understanding of the need for tea and scones at quarter to five and a good eye for individual service. Even for a hotel with three private event rooms, a gym and restaurant, the atmosphere is incredibly private and tranquil, even on Friday nights.
The 52 rooms at The Pelham are all individually decorated in Kit Kemp style that breaks away from stuffy furnishings and breathe new life into the traditional grand townhouse design. Mostly large, the rooms are comfortable and dreamy with grand high ceilings and Jack and the Beanstalk-like beds to climb up to and sink in. Gentle attention is focused on making each room a separate experience with handsome chairs, unique curtains, four-poster beds and oil paintings of large-bellied men posing in magnolia wigs.
It is also good to bear in mind before your stay that, size apart, the grades of rooms are almost irrelevant, as the standard double can prove just as beautiful as a deluxe double. The ground floor guestrooms boast glorious balconies, yet the top floor rooms are still well worth the rates. In particular Room 410 with comfy chairs to slouch on and large granite bathrooms is fabulous. For a wonderful front-facing room with a terrace, walk-in closet and midnight skyline views go directly to Room 305 (there is a lift), which is also ideal for families who may need an extra bed.
Facilities
Hotel Policies
Rooms
52Awards
"Selection Award" Tablet Hotels 09
Come for...
- Charming country-house style
- The Mews House Suite
Not Suitable for...
- Those seeking Kit Kemp in a more contemporary mood - try the Soho Hotel
Children
The Pelham welcomes children, and offers a babysitting service and a special kids' menu in the hotel restauarant. They provide cots in the room for children, as well as interconnecting rooms for families. The hotel staff will also leave a special welcome gift for kids upon arrival.
Eating in
The popular Kemps provide a good selection to please both herbivores and omnivores, being one of the few London hotels offering a vegan menu. Room service and breakfast are available all day.
Reviews
Review of The Pelham, by Jenny Pidgeon
Staying at The Pelham is like escaping to a friend's sumptuous country house for the night, then waking up to find that South Kensington tube is just across the street. With the V&A, Natural History and Science museums close by, along with Harrods, Knightsbridge and Hyde Park, this boutique hotel is perfectly situated both for tourists and Londoners looking for a little respite from city life. Opened in 1989, The Pelham is one of the award-winning Firmdale hotels, owned and designed by Kit Kemp and her husband Tim.
Inside, designer Kit has gone for a grand country house style. The two public salons on the ground floor - the drawing room and the library - are wood panelled and inviting, each with an open fireplace. The more formal drawing room showcases original oil paintings and yellow chintz furnishings, tastefully chosen Victorian and Edwardian antiques and fresh flowers burst everywhere.
The cosier library is fantastic, with a well-stocked honesty bar and contemporary artwork hanging from the 18th-century pine walls. These rooms are open to guests 24 hours a day and the fires crackle on well into the night. Downstairs in the basement hides Kemps, the intimate restaurant, which is also accessible from the street and open to the public. The small room is light with modern art on the walls and the food is reasonably-priced and excellent.
The 52 rooms are individual and very special, each with its own character. The luxury doubles are high-ceilinged and plushly decorated, boasting sitting areas as well as canopied or four-poster beds. Each room has its own interesting features, be it the fireplace, a striking bust, or even the wire corset found on top of the wardrobe in one room.
One deluxe double is on the ground floor - great for people watching. The smaller standards on the top attic floor have sloping ceilings and are very charming - one in pink stripes is almost cute, but is far too stylish for that. The two suites on the first floor, one in red and one in blue, are huge and ornate, with floor-to-ceiling sliding windows leading out to the balcony at the front of the hotel.
The attention to detail in the rooms is striking, in the choice of fabrics and paintings as well as the little touches such as the umbrella, proper hairdryer and funky retro radio. The minibar has been thoughtfully stocked with unusual goodies and the hotel is constantly refining its ideas and tweaking details. The en-suite bathrooms are clad in solid granite and mahogany, with cast iron tub or oversize shower. Heated towel-rails hold plump terry robes and there are chic complimentary products to take away.