Review of The Milestone Hotel & Residences

Located just opposite Kensington Palace, The Milestone enjoys an illustrious address in the heart of Royal London with exceptional views across Kensington Gardens. Perfect for enjoying a stroll or enjoying a picnic in the extensive gardens, the property is just a short stroll from the Royal Albert Hall and the Albert Memorial as well as to Notting Hill and Knightsbridge for premier shopping. Kensington High Street is literally a few steps away and many of the major museums – the V&A, the Natural History Museum, The Science Museum and the London Design Museum – are all based in the area.

Transfers from London Heathrow Airport can take anything from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic. Heathrow is located 20 miles to the west of central London. 

The Gatwick Express is the fastest way to travel from Gatwick Airport to central London. The journey time is around 45 minutes, and the service is non-stop to London Victoria Station. Thereafter, it is a short limousine or taxi ride to the property.

The myriad layers of antiques, four-poster beds, wall tapestries, rich and elaborate furnishings, original artworks and a touch of contemporary whimsy, combine to lend an eclectic style to this Victorian property with no two rooms decorated alike.

Evoking the feel of an English country home in the midst of one of the most affluent residential areas of the capital, thoughtful touches include a pillow menu, Penhaligon’s toiletries, 24-hour butler service and the use of a chauffeur-driven Bentley to take in the sights. Expect flowers and/or plants in the rooms, bottled water, with a fruit plate or homemade cookies delivered on arrival and floating votive candles at turndown. The property also offers female friendly services for those travelling on their own including 24-hour security, the allocation of rooms near guest lifts and the locking of the hotel doors at night.

A pre-arrival questionnaire is sent out to each guest to ensure every stay is as customised as possible.

Each suite, like the guest rooms, has its own character, filled with curated artworks and prints. The Ruhlmann Junior Suite for example, looking out over Kensington Gardens is named for the master French Art Deco designer, Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann and as one might expect, it a black and cream delight with chrome accessories and hand-crafted Art Deco-style wardrobes in lacquered walnut veneer, inlayed with an intricate brushed design. The focus point is the striking Joan Roslyn Hathaway Art Deco Lucite Screen forming a backdrop to the king-sized walnut veneered bed. The suite also features original artworks by Erté. 

Other suites include The Mistinguett Suite inspired by the French actress with French doors leading out onto a private terrace, The Harlequin Suite inspired by 15th century pantomime, The Paris located in the eaves, The Venetian with its separate lounge, pale blue grey palette, original Wilton carpets and custom-made bedspreads, or the Club Suite inspired by a gentleman’s club of a bygone era. 

Others include The Noel Coward with an 18th century ebonised French bureau plat, Giacometti-style chairs and original contemporary artworks. There is a handmade Savoir bed surrounded by custom designed Indian silks and a leopard print carpet – a successful mix of styles successfully combining to offer an interior which the master composer, director and thespian would enjoy.

Two suites combine to create accommodation for up to six people, perfect for families. A fusion of the Kensington Garden Suite and the Hermès Suite, The Royal Kensington Suite offers almost 93 square metres of space with three balconies overlooking Kensington Gardens and four-metre-high high coffered ceilings. 

The Hermès Suite is decorated with a collection of framed vintage Hermès scarves and enjoys a modernist feel which contrasts with the building’s original 18th-century architecture. The Suite includes a bronze four-poster bed bordered by Italian brass-bound lacquered moth of pearl bedside chests and a French burr-walnut desk.

The Kensington Garden Suite has Roberto Cavalli bed linens, original artwork and is split level with a separate lounge, accessible from each floor. There are floor to ceiling windows overlooking Kensington Gardens with a room design which is more traditional in feel with neutral stripes, an antique writing desk and a bespoke custom-made sofa positioned to make the most of the palace views.

For those wanting to stay in town for a while, the six individually designed Milestone Residences are more like private apartments with spacious lounges, in-room dining areas, well-stocked kitchens, private outdoor terraces and balconies and a private entrance with a 24/7 hotel concierge and cutting-edge technology to ensure total privacy and security. There are televisions with international channels and streaming capacity, a generous welcome hamper, in-room cocktail kits, a dedicated car service and a delivery service from Kensington’s many restaurants and grocery stores. There is a choice of two- and three-bedroom Residences ranging from the split-level Kensington Palace to The Kensington Gardens with its own terrace, the bright and airy William & Kate complete with Murano glass light fixtures and an antique mirror wall; The Victoria & Albert which is ideal for families and the third floor Prince of Wales which is decorated in keeping with the history of the property.

In the serene sanctuary of The Spa’s treatment room, escape from the everyday by enjoying one of the pampering, rejuvenating and soothing spa treatments offered by renowned wellness therapist Fiona Keane. Products are by spa brand SOTHYS. Alternatively enjoy manicures, pedicures, body-scrubs, tanning and other treatments either in the treatment room or in-guest room.

The Spa also features a resistance plunge pool and a well-equipped gym to keep up with any fitness routines when travelling. Alternatively, the property will arrange for in-room yoga sessions or can guide guests to the best jogging trails in the local area.

The Milestone has created a range of experiences with which to enjoy London including partnering with Linda Hugo of Beyond Curated to offer individually tailored tours of London or going out foraging with a Totally Wild UK professional forager with the booty collected being turned into a totally unique, personalised dinner back at the hotel by Executive Chef Daniel Putz and his brigade. Other experiences include taking out a Palace Hamper to enjoy in Kensington Gardens, enjoying a performance from musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra who will perform in-suite or having an in-room mixologist masterclass.

The Milestone Hotel & Residences, Kensington is like nothing else in London. A striking red and cream Victorian exterior – Grade II listed no less – in London’s chicest locale, does not prepare guests for the old-world charm and pure, unadulterated fun of the interiors. It is obvious that the owning family have enjoyed decorating this property and want to make each space unique with an eclectic style which mixes stripes with florals, tartan with leathers and quality reproductions with antiques. Add yet more layers of texture, rich, luscious fabrics, artworks and objets d’art, giving nods to both personal preferences and to the building’s history, and you begin to understand the design style of the property.

This hotel will not perhaps be the flavour of the month for a minimalist but for most visitors, the charm pervading the entire building will persuade them to make this property their home. When you combine the style with a series of unexpected treats and the friendly and efficient service offered from a staff who tend to go that extra mile further than they have to – just to ensure each stay is as pleasant as possible – you can look forward to a perfect stay.

In addition, the property is doing its bit for the environment with an ambitious sustainability plan and is helping local businesses and charities alongside when they can.

Cheneston’s is the hotel’s premier restaurant, taking its name from an early spelling of Kensington. Dressed in traditional fashion with Victorian mahogany furniture, wood panelling, a stone fireplace and light streaming through leaded window bays, expect comfortable seating, linen tablecloths and napkins, silverware, and warming signature dishes inspired by owner, Bea Tollman, served alongside British classics. This restaurant is old school with an array of daily roasts presented on a silver trolley.

The Oratory meanwhile has to be one of London’s most romantic spaces – an eatery located in the original chapel of the building, steeped in history and perfect for private dining and life’s celebrations.

Taste a smoking old-fashioned with a twist at The Stables Bar, served under a smoking glass dome for a theatrical flourish. Dressed in a plethora of equine paraphernalia, artworks and memorabilia, relax in leather and tartan chesterfields whilst relaxing at the end of the day.

An extension of The Stables Bar is the bright and airy Conservatory, with a striking black and white décor, leather armchairs and sofas, overlooking the herb garden. It is a relaxed space for drinks, light bites, afternoon tea or a leisurely breakfast.

Afternoon Tea, that staple of the luxury hotel, is served either in Cheneston’s, the cosy Park Lounge or the Conservatory – a symphony of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream and home-made preserves and a delicious selection of pastries, eclairs, tartlets, cupcakes and macarons. The tea takes a regal form here – Royal Afternoon Tea – and at its centre lies an edible god tiara, placed atop a raspberry, strawberry and Valhrona chocolate mousse cube, sprayed with royal purple with a pistachio biscuit as its heart.

The Milestone is committed to conserving energy and supporting local charities such as Clean Conscience, The Kensington and Chelsea Foundation and the British Exploring Society. They are actively working to eliminate single-use plastics and have found many innovative alternatives including biodegradable pasta straws and compostable coffee cup lids made from fermented corn starch. Deeply committed to protecting the environment, the property also looks to reduce food waste with Winnow Solutions.

Red Carnation Hotels is part of the TTC family of brands and works in proud partnership with its TreadRight Foundation to #maketravelmatter.