The Milestone Hotel and Residences

The single most defining factor of The Milestone is its truly exceptional level of service: In the words of the hotel itself, their mission is to deliver service that exceeds guests’ expectations at every opportunity. From the warm, fully competent, and superbly trained staff, to the unparalleled attention to detail, and the abundance of luxury boutique amenities, this hotel’s mission is to serve.

Beautifully themed rooms such as the Tudor Suite, Safari Suite, and the Venetian Suite are simultaneously elegant and creative, incorporating beautiful period furnishings without coming across as dated or stale. The lounging and dining areas follow suit with rich mahogany wall paneling and comfortable antique furniture -- a style that feels inspired by that of a quintessential and luxurious English country home.

This is a rare hotel where reality seems to live up to the hype -- with ornate period design, extremely high standards, excellent service, and a great location, it’s no wonder why The Milestone is so renowned.

The Milestone is well situated on the southwest corner of peaceful Hyde Park -- just west of Knightsbridge, south of Notting Hill, and east of Kensington High Street. Kensington is generally a mix of well-off tourists and natives, although the area around High Street Kensington tube station is a bit more affordable and down-to-earth. Proximity to the High Street Kensington tube stop means you’re never far from any central London location, as long as you don’t mind using public transport.

• One-minute walk to Hyde Park
• Four-minute walk to Kensington Gardens
• Five-minute walk to High Street Kensington shopping district
• Eight-minute tube ride to Notting Hill Gate and Portobello Market
• 13-minute walk to Royal Albert Hall
• 13-minute bus ride to Knightsbridge shopping district, including Harrods
• 13-minute tube ride to Sloane square shopping district and Saatchi Gallery
• 19-minute tube ride to Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, London Eye, and scenic walks along the Thames
• 23-minute tube ride to Piccadilly circus and the theatre district
• 24-minute tube ride to Covent Garden and more theatre district
• 30-minute drive to Heathrow Airport

Before guests check-in, they fill out a hotel form indicating their personal preferences on such important matters as room color scheme, welcome drink, pillows, and newspaper and magazine selection. Upon arrival, guests are greeted with welcome wine or Champagne, fruit, and fresh flowers. 

Each of the 56 rooms and suites sports a uniquely creative motif and is furnished with period-inspired decor that feels far from antiquated or stuffy. The hotel is currently refurbishing rooms on a rolling basis; the Kensington Garden Suite, one of the master suites, was renovated in 2015. All rooms feature beds with high-grade U.K.-made Savoir mattress and Egyptian cotton sheets, as well as air-conditioning, desks, nicely stocked minibars, and free mineral water. High-tech amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen LED TVs with DVD players and Sky channels, and iPod docks (which some guests, when struggling to find a single fault with the hotel, have noted are older models). 

Most bathrooms feature shower/tub combos with a ceiling-mounted rainfall-shower feature, as well as luxury Penhaligon's toiletries and plush bathrobes and slippers.

The Milestone offers many far-above-average features. The Map Room is an intimate-function room with a beautiful collection of rare and antique maps, while the Health Club houses beautiful luxury spa facilities along with a well-equipped fitness center, a functional resistance pool, and a sauna. Free hotel-wide Wi-Fi, daily newspapers, free overnight shoe shine, twice-daily housekeeping, available chauffeur-driven Bentley service, and free one-way airport transfers all notable perks. There is also a small business center with a computer and printer, plus laptops for rent.

The Milestone extends its top-tier service to its younger guests, too: children receive a welcome gift at check-in, and can collect stamps in a hotel-issued "passport" for completing certain activities throughout Milestone, such as making mocktails with the bartender at the bar or decorating cupcakes at the restaurant. Babysitting services are also available, for a fee, and cribs, extra beds, cots, high chairs, and playpens are provided on request.

Even pets feel the love here: The hotel offers pet menus, beds, and treats, and even a pet concierge and dog tags for return guests. 

Furnished in rich mahogany-paneled walls and a beautiful sculpted ceiling, Cheneston’s derives its name from the early spelling of Kensington, and serves fine international cuisine, with an emphasis on modern British food. Cheneston’s offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and high tea.

The split-level Stables Bar -- known for its signature Old Fashioned --  is small, but immensely warm and cozy. Decorated with rich green tartan quilting and mahogany, the equine-themed bar has satellite TV and an exclusive list of traditional wines, Champagnes, spirits, and cocktails.

Tea Guild Award-winning afternoon tea service is offered three times a day in the Park Lounge or The Conservatory, a chic lounging area with black-and-white silk and leather furnishings, and black-marble tables.

Baskets for breakfast, picnics, or midnight feasts -- all with an extensive selection menu -- are available on request.