Blakes

Kensington & Hyde Park


Five Victorian houses cobbled into one hotel and incomparably designed by Anouska Hempel, Blakes oozes panache. Each of its 45 guest rooms is elegantly decked out in a distinctive, flamboyant style: expect four-poster beds (with and without canopies), rich fabrics, plenty of Asian influences, and antiques set on bleached hardwood floors.

For that extra bit of privacy and comfort, there's an 18th-century mews house, priced accordingly.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kensington & Hyde Park attractions

1. Natural History Museum

0.49 MILES

With its thunderous, animatronic dinosaur, riveting displays about planet earth, outstanding Darwin Centre and architecture straight from a Gothic fairy…

2. Wildlife Photographer of the Year

0.5 MILES

This international photographic exhibition at the Natural History Museum has been drawing visitors since 1964, and displays stunning images from the…

3. Sensational Butterflies

0.54 MILES

This seasonal exhibition at the Natural History Museum has hundreds of butterflies and moths. It's a firm summer favourite and highly popular with kids.

4. Michelin House

0.56 MILES

Built for Michelin between 1905 and 1911 by François Espinasse, and completely restored in 1985, the building blurs the stylish line between art nouveau…

5. Brompton Cemetery

0.57 MILES

The UK's sole cemetery owned by the Crown, this atmospheric 19th-century, 16-hectare boneyard's most famous denizen may be suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst,…

6. Carlyle’s House

0.58 MILES

From 1834 until his death in 1881, the eminent Victorian essayist and historian Thomas Carlyle dwelt in this three-storey terrace house, bought by his…

7. Chelsea Old Church

0.6 MILES

This beautiful and original church stands behind a bronze monument to Thomas More (1477–1535), who had a close association with it. Original features of…

8. Science Museum

0.62 MILES

The Science Museum will mesmerize with its interactive and educational exhibits covering everything from early technology to space travel. Take the family…