As you walk through the beautiful streets of South Kensington, you will be captivated by the elegant white-washed mansions and grand embassies along the avenues. There is an air of refinement and sophistication, transporting you to a realm where diplomats mingle with the elite and famous. As you stroll, you’ll notice the scent of oud perfume in the air. Kensington and Chelsea are among the most desirable locations in London. Visitors can alight at Gloucester Road and walk towards the Qatari Embassy; you’ll pass mansions converted into smart apartments before arriving at a Georgian building that is home to the Citadines apartments.
Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed into an elegant lobby area with the soothing sounds of jazz music in the background and offered freshly brewed coffee. The apartments themselves were expansive duplexes. When you walk into the apartment, you’ll find a multi-functional living space that easily transforms into a cosy sleeping area for families with children and a master bedroom upstairs.
The kitchen was well-equipped and the fridge was stocked with prosecco, lemonade, and ginger beer. Additionally, there were facilities for making tea and coffee. We also received a thoughtful welcome gift from the Citadines team – a box of luxurious Monty Bojangles truffle chocolates.
The apartment combines modern design with timeless elegance. The rooms are furnished with stylish furniture and contemporary amenities. The air-conditioned four-star apartment features large windows that offer a beautiful view of the lively street below while also allowing plenty of natural light. Floor-to-ceiling curtains maintain privacy. The living area is well-designed, with ample space and a wall-mounted TV for entertainment. Upstairs, there is another beautifully furnished bedroom with its TV, a lovely dressing table, large comfortable twin beds pushed together, spacious walk-in wardrobes, and an ironing board.
Overall, it has all the comforts of a hotel but the luxuries of home, meaning you can have a family break in the city and even work out in the gym.
The 24-hour reception also provided anything extra we needed and there was a nearby Waitrose for supplies.
We found several pubs in the area when we stepped out of the apartment. The Queens Arms is great and we also had a delightful late-night curry at the Light of India. The neighbourhood is also lovely for leisurely walks.
South Kensington is full of cobbled streets with chic boutiques and coffee shops to people-watch in as ladies stroll with their dogs and joggers race by.
The Victoria and Albert Museum and Natural History Museum are both short walks away and good choices for things to do, or you can take a walk in one of the expansive parks.
Shopping in South Kensington is a dream – with Harrod’s and Kensington High Street the ideal places to splurge some cash.
Citadines, owned by Ascott, is pushing the boundaries of travel rewards to help guests save more money on city trips. Its ASR members can join ‘Stay Rewarded’ and receive invitations to exclusive global events, preferential room rates, complimentary upgrades, access to exclusive amenities, and bonus loyalty points that can be redeemed for free stays, experiences, or other rewards.
Kensington and Mayfair have been home to many notable residents, including Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Oscar Wilde, Vivien Leigh, Madonna, Stella McCartney and Roman Abramovich. If you’re looking for other accommodation options in London, Citadines offers serviced apartments in pet-friendly locations such as Trafalgar Square, Islington, Holborn-Covent Garden, and Barbican.
The Citadines group also owns The Cavendish London, a four-star hotel in the equally desirable Mayfair.
Guests staying in this area will find themselves near Bond Street. If they have a babysitter, the adults can head off to Mr Foggs Apothecary in the exclusive Mayfair area, just across the road from Claridges.
Descend the grand staircase into the Victorian venue and be transported into the captivating world of the celebrated explorer Phileas Fogg. The surroundings echo the eccentric and adventurous spirit that inspired the timeless tale of Around the World in Eighty Days.
As you nestle in an ornate armchair, the attentive staff presents a menu of meticulously crafted cocktails, each designed to ‘cure’ any ailment.
With 20 unique locations across Covent Garden, Fitzrovia, Soho, and Mayfair, the evening commenced with a delightful welcome rum cocktail and an exciting opportunity to win another rum creation. I later indulged in the experience of a smoking ‘soaked in ether’ cocktail and the Scarlet Drop, with the bar and waiting staff looking after me. The evening was a splendid escape before reuniting with my family and embarking on the tube journey back to Gloucester Road.
The next day, we went to Notting Hill for a leisurely brunch at The Laslett Hotel and found it filled with Americans. It didn’t take long to figure out why, as Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts’ film Notting Hill had brought this genteel neighbourhood fame across the pond. We started with coffee. I ordered salmon on sourdough bread with smashed avocado, while my partner opted for a full English breakfast. Our daughter enjoyed some delicious pastries, and we had fresh juices while reading the morning newspapers.
We sat on the sunny terrace surrounded by lemon trees and savoured a special glass of wine from Ridley Scott’s vineyard. The restaurant has recently partnered with his Luberon wine estate, Mas des Infermières, known for its dedication to preserving Provençal wine-making traditions. They offered us a selection of high-quality, bee-friendly wines, each thoughtfully paired with lunch and dinner options for an unforgettable dining experience.
While in the area, we searched for the house that inspired JM Barrie’s Peter Pan and then caught the tube to Lancaster Gate for my football-loving other half to find the old FA headquarters before heading to Hyde Park and enjoying the Princess Diana Memorial Gardens, where I originally sat when I was pregnant with our little one.
Overall, we had a fantastic family day out, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to take a city break with children.
Words By Donna Richardson
Prices start at £188 per night at Citadines South Kensington.
For more information and to book, visit www.discoverasr.com/en
