Last weekend, I decided to take myself on a lovely solo staycation to 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel; in South Kensington because life is 100mph at the moment, and I needed some time to reflect on life without any distractions or interruptions. I have been feeling very on the go; I wanted time to reflect on all the great things I’ve been doing and take time for myself.
When arriving at 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel, I was greeted so warmly by the front-of-house staff, especially Rosemary and Rachel; they were so sweet and friendly and made me feel welcome.
Each hotel suite is named after famous residents of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. Mine was ‘Sir Alfred Hitchcock’; he was an English filmmaker, one of his most famous films being ‘Psycho’. He also previously stated that he wanted to “always make the audience suffer as much as possible”, and he did this by turning his viewers into voyeurs, framing shots in specific ways to create as much anxiety and fear as possible.
Room
My suite is over two floors; the downstairs living area had a homely feel with a flat-screen tv and a fireplace. There is also a window seat with views over South Kensington, allowing a lot of natural light into the room and making the room feel lighter and brighter when you first walk in. There is also a comfy brick-coloured sofa in the living area so that you can chill downstairs whilst reading a book without having to be in bed.
The upstairs has a bedroom with a huge kingsize bed, the fluffiest pillows and a huge flat-screen tv. There is also a bathroom with a shower and a bath. There are sliding doors dividing the living area from the bedroom, which is perfect if you’re staying there for a long period.
Food/Drink
ESQ bar is a warm, homely, inviting area where you can enjoy some light bites and soak in the surroundings whilst enjoying a cocktail or three. Let me set the scene; the bar had warm orange ambient lighting, brick-coloured armchairs with low tables, and candlelight. The area was a perfect mix of work and play. A range of table heights for different purposes; whether it was a casual dinner, a business meeting or date night, there was a table for each. Some were tucked away and hidden for a more cosy feel, and some were in more open spaces for a casual vibe.
I had a sweet vanilla latte during my stay; it tasted beautiful; it was made with the finest Brazilian coffee beans and served at the perfect temperature, ensuring it tasted sweet and not bitter. The bar has a Japanese concept of small plates for sharing; the dishes were of a decent-size, and there was a great selection. One of the standout dishes for me was the dessert; it was a strawberry-flavoured mochi ice cream ball that tasted like strawberry starburst sweets; I devoured the whole thing to myself!
The cocktail menu had hundreds of choices; I chose ‘The Beach Comber’, inspired by Indonesian summer nights; it was a mix of pineapple-flavoured rum, mango and bergamot syrup and lime juice, and it went down a treat.
The hotel has just opened an Italian restaurant called; Cento, showcasing the best traditional Italian cuisine. They also have the most beautiful tearoom called Botanica, which serves British afternoon tea.
Things to do
The Natural History Museum
Science Museum
V&A
Clockmakers
You’re spoilt for a choice for things to do during your staycation. There are four Museums close by, each of them only a five-minute walk! I had a great time exploring the museums as they were so close to the hotel; I didn’t have to walk miles which appealed to me. I enjoyed exploring the museums; I felt like a tourist in my own city, and it felt so exciting.
The hotel is only a one-minute drive from the world’s leading luxury store, Harrods; you can shop until you drop, followed by a short journey back to the hotel for some light bites in the ESQ bar.
100 Queen’s Gate hotel is a great hotel to add to your bucket list for your staycation; the perfect location, great staff, generous size rooms, and it was a pleasure to stay there!
T: +44 (0) 20 7373 7878
E: Bookings
W: 100 Queen’s Gate
Written by Danielle Tobin for Luxuria Lifestyle London and International
