Milestone Hotel Kensington

Voted the Condé Nast Readers' Choice for 2007, this quintessential luxury boutique hotel is set within a magnificent 19th-century architectural treasure, centrally located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

Overlooking Kensington Palace and Gardens, the 5-star Milestone Hotel is one of London's most deluxe hotels providing unparalleled levels of service. The area around is a playground for tourists, shoppers, and art lovers. There's history, music, science, London's most exclusive shopping, and plenty of open green space.

With Kensington to your left, Knightsbridge to your right, and Kensington Gardens directly ahead, the hotel is wonderfully located to explore the sites and sounds of the Capital City.

Rooms: 57
Rate: 276.12 - 822.5 GBP
Hotel chain: Red Carnation Hotels, Red Carnation Hotels

You know The Milestone is different from the moment you arrive. Your butler will take you on a tour of the hotel's facilities, show you around your room, hand you a complimentary glass of champagne (or any other drink of your choice), and offer to unpack for you. Nothing is too much trouble; this is British warmth, hospitality, and service at its most engaging. At The Milestone, we take care of your every wish, which is why we retain two staff for every guest.

Whatever the function, you will expect every last detail to be perfect. That's why the hotel provides an Events Co-ordinator who will oversee your function from start to finish. Choose from the Oratory (a former chapel) for intimate or romantic gatherings of up to 8 people; the airy Conservatory for sparkling cocktail parties; or the oak-panelled Windsor Suite for the grandest of wedding breakfasts. The Stables Bar has a more club-like atmosphere, while the Park Lounge recalls the elegance of a Victorian drawing room

This may be the heart of the city, but The Milestone Hotel has everything you need to maintain your fitness levels. There's a stream of flowing water in the resistance pool, miles of jogging tracks in Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, a fully-equipped gymnasium, and a luxurious spa treatment room with a superb range of body treatments, beauty therapies, and top-to-toe massages.

On request, there is a chauffeur-driven Bentley to whisk you to the city sights.

An intimate, 5-star boutique hotel, the Milestone is affiliated with Leading Small Hotels of the World.

No 2 rooms or suites are alike; some are richly decorated for a more intimate, inward-looking mood whilst others make the most of their stunning views over Kensington Palace and Gardens. At The Milestone, every room is an outstanding example of romantic elegance, comfort, and luxury.

To keep your room looking pristine, the maid visits twice a day. Each time, she leaves a few special treats - homemade cookies, bonbons, tomorrow's weather forecast, chilled mineral water, hand-picked seasonal fruits, complimentary newspapers, delicious canapés, candles in the bathroom – perhaps even a small book of poetry.

Your room at The Milestone may be a sumptuous private dream world, but there's still plenty of discreet 21st-century technology to keep you in touch. There's a high-speed wireless internet connection and interactive TV with movies on demand.

24-hour butler service is available for all guests.

You can dine in Cheneston's restaurant, unwind in the Stables bar, sip cocktails in the Conservatory, or take tea by the fire in the Lounge.

Serving a fine international cuisine with an accent on modern British dishes, the kitchen balances its natural creativity with a superb range of traditional comfort foods and a willingness to cook something special just for you. If they have the ingredients to hand (organic and, wherever possible, locally sourced), they'll rustle up exactly what you want – when you want.

There's a fine choice of wine too - more than 400 vintages, many of them personally chosen by Nicolas Clerc, the Ruinart UK Sommelier of the Year 2007. Passion for fine wines and gourmet food are the driving force behind the popular wine dinners, 8-course degustation menu, and a year-round season of special gourmet events.

Nearby attractions include the Royal Albert Hall and the Albert Memorial, the Science Museum, the Natural History Museum (the dinosaurs never fail to delight), and the Victoria and Albert Museum (for stunning style and design).

Cross the road and you'll find Kensington Palace and Gardens, which lead on to Hyde Park and the famous Serpentine.

Knightsbridge is home to Harvey Nichols and the world's most famous department store, Harrods. For antique collectors, there's Kensington Church Street, with more than 60 dealers offering everything from antique furniture to impressionist paintings. Slightly further afield, you may find a bargain in the street markets around Notting Hill.

The West End and theatreland are also within easy reach. A short taxi ride takes you to Piccadilly Circus and the theatres off Shaftesbury Avenue.

Nearest British Rail Stations:
Paddington: 3 miles
Victoria: 2 miles
Kensington/Olympia: 1 mile.

Nearest Underground Station:
High Street Kensington -3 minute walk - Central Circle and District lines.

From Heathrow Airport:
- Take the Heathrow Express to Paddington Station.
- Take the underground directly to High St. Kensington.

From Gatwick Airport:
- Take the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station.
- Take a taxi to the hotel

The hotel can provide, on request, a chauffeur driven Bentley car service for transportation between the hotel and either Gatwick or Heathrow Airports, which may be booked through the concierge.