Opulent luxury hotel set in Georgian town houses
Quiet central location in upmarket Kensington
Spacious rooms with high-tech amenities, such as computers with wireless keyboards
Marble bathrooms with jetted tubs, gold faucets, and high-end toiletries
Egyptian cotton bed linen and goose-down pillows
On-site brasserie-style restaurant serving meals and Champagne afternoon tea
Marble-clad spa with authentic Turkish hammam
Vaulted-ceiling basement bar with snug alcoves and live jazz
Small fitness center
Breakfast not
included
Wi-Fi comes with a hefty surcharge
Cramped fitness center lacks equipment
No pool
The Bentley lives up to its name -- this is a serious luxury hotel awash in opulent decor with an air of palatial extravagance. Its Kensington address is as upscale as they come, and it's a short hop to some of the capital's most exclusive shopping. The 64 rooms are spacious and elegant, though not without showing a few signs of wear in places, with flat-screen TVs that include computers with wireless keyboards, minibars, and marble bathrooms with walk-in showers and jetted tubs -- the Imperial Suite has a grand piano and a dining room that seats 12. The hotel's Kalon Spa, which includes a small gym, has a Turkish hamman and offers an array of traditional and innovative therapies, while The Bentley's snug bar is a superb spot to unwind.
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Scene
Classically styled grandeur and an extravagant and lavish ambience
Built in 1880 behind the facade of three Georgian town houses, The Bentley London exudes an immediate air of understated grandeur. Once guests step inside, however, the scene is anything but modest. It's hard not to be impressed by the level of lavish exuberance -- 600 tons of imported marble are put to spectacular use throughout, nowhere more so than in the palatial lobby area, which is also awash in gold-leafed wrought iron. Louis XV-style furnishings and antique oil paintings are all illuminated by sparkling crystal chandeliers. While the polished regal opulence might appear over-the-top -- even stuffy to some -- the conspicuous heights of luxury appeal to the likes of vacationing oligarchs, foreign dignitaries, and a fair share of tourists looking to vacation in unbridled opulence.
Location
Set on quiet road in upmarket Kensington close to high-end shopping
The hotel is located on a corner overlooking a relatively quiet mini-roundabout in the heart of well-heeled Kensington in central London. Its location means proximity to some of the capital's most upscale shopping areas, including exclusive Kings Road boutiques and the world-famous high-end department store of Harrods, all within a 20-minute walk, or a seven-minute cab ride. The nearest Tube station is Gloucester Road -- about two minutes' away on foot -- whose three lines connect quickly to points all over London, including Heathrow Airport in less than 40 minutes.
Rooms
Spacious and luxurious with high-end tech and marble bathrooms -- some with gold-plated faucets
The hotel's 64 rooms are spacious, especially by London norms. Even standard level rooms measure around 350 square feet. Decor continues in the classically opulent vein, with antique-style furnishings, ornate coving, and centerpiece chandeliers -- some with a slightly more modern touch and others starting to look a little dated. Bathrooms are also roomy and lavish with floor-to-ceiling marble, walk-in showers, and jetted tubs, plus Peter Thomas Roth toiletries. Some higher-end rooms even have gold-plated faucets. Tech is also top class, with touchscreen telephone systems and state-of-the-art flat-screen TVs with computers and wireless keyboards, DVD players, and an extensive on-demand library. But be aware that high-speed in-room Wi-Fi comes with a hefty daily fee. Egyptian cotton bedding, goose-down pillows, and thick fluffy bathrobes complete the package. The Imperial Suite consists of one- or two-bedroom apartments, and includes a grand piano and a dining room that can seat up to 12.
Features
Snug basement bar with signature martinis and live jazz -- though no pool
The hotel serves a traditional English breakfast each morning in its brasserie-style Peridot Restaurant -- though it's not included in the standard rate, and (like everything in the hotel) it's expensive. An excellent menu of contemporary British and European dishes is also available for lunch and dinner, as well as traditional chocolate and Champagne afternoon tea. The basement Malachite Bar has a superb vaulted ceiling and plush alcove couches that provide a particularly snug corner for a signature martini accompanied by live jazz on the piano. The hotel's Le Kalon Spa is a real highlight and decked out with swathes of marble while featuring the only authentic Turkish hammam in a London hotel -- although lack of a swimming pool is a drawback. There's also a small fitness center with free weights and cardio machines and meeting rooms.
