Number Sixteen
Hotel · West Brompton ·
Idyllic private garden, orangery restaurant, library lounge
Idyllic private garden, orangery restaurant, library lounge
"A sister property to Knightsbridge, Number Sixteen offers a sanctuary in London where design, craft, and comfort converge. Victorian architecture meets bespoke interiors: thoughtful layering of color, texture, and art creates an environment that feels curated yet utterly livable. Book here if your ideal London stay is one where intention and aesthetic matter, where the architecture is domestic rather than institutional, and where you can feel both embedded in the city’s pace and also cocooned in calm. Just off a quiet South Kensington street, the white-stucco façade gives little away. With four early-19th-century townhouses in a row of upscale residences two blocks from South Kensington Tube station, the property is so discreet a hotel that I walked right on by upon my initial arrival. Once inside, though, the house-like scale and abundant natural light boldly reveal Kit Kemp’s signature aesthetic: fabrics in unexpected hues, harmonious antique and modern furnishings, and walls that display both colorful prints and whimsical art pieces. Plush seating invites you to pause, and patterned rugs and curated prints guide the eye from one room to the next." - Steve King
"Number Sixteen is either the coziest boutique hotel in London, or the most luxurious bed and breakfast — we’re still not sure." - Mark Fedeli
"Either the coziest boutique hotel in London or the most luxurious bed‑and‑breakfast, it hides down a sleepy South Kensington side street behind a row of nineteenth‑century Victorian townhouses without so much as a sign; as part of Firmdale’s Townhouse Collection, it’s a lower‑key alternative to the bigger, more lively Ham Yard or Soho Hotel." - Mark Fedeli
"The vibe: Genteel home away from home Location: South Kensington Top amenities: The idyllic private garden Best for: A quiet retreat from the city Of Kit Kemp’s eight London hotels, three are classed as “townhouses,” but this is the coziest: four Victorian houses in a row of upscale residences two blocks from the South Kensington Tube station, knitted together into a real home away from home. Going strong since the 1980s, it’s still the townhouse hotel to beat. The 41 bedrooms are spread out along the rabbit warren of corridors (there are even rooms in the attic), and dressed in Kemp’s signature style: playful patterned headboards, brightly painted walls and loud curtains, all clamoring for your attention without ever being overpowering. Downstairs are two lounges, one with an honesty bar, plus the top draw: a conservatory (The Orangery) overlooking a peaceful, tree-filled garden between the blocks of houses, complete with fish pond and gazebo. Belonging to the hotel, it’s a spot of bucolic peace and quiet in the middle of the city–guests can even eat al fresco and “garden rooms” have direct access via their private courtyards. Breakfast, afternoon tea, lunch, and dinner are served in The Orangery. If only your real home was like this." - Julia Buckley
"Number Sixteen forms part of a mid-Victorian white stucco terrace and is situated in the heart of bustling South Kensington, just steps away from the Victoria & Albert and Natural History Museums and a short walk to Harrods, Knightsbridge and Brompton Cross shopping. Kensington Gardens is close by and the area is filled with some of London's most interesting bars, cafes and restaurants. It has its own tree-filled private garden and provides all the facilities expected of a luxury hotel including 24 hour room service, valet, concierge and high speed wireless internet access. The hotel has 42 bedrooms and suites which are individually designed and decorated in a fresh, contemporary English style. Each is equipped with all of the facilities expected of a luxury hotel including high speed wireless access, flat screen LCD TV's, valet, concierge and 24 hour room service" - My Boutique Hotel (en)
