Travel

“The perfect hotel for a cultural weekend” The Ampersand, Kensington

If you plan on visiting some of the capital’s most famous cultural attractions you will need somewhere fitting to rest your head, and after a busy day in this exclusive slice of west London there’s nowhere better than The Ampersand hotel.

Nestled between the V&A, Natural History Museum, Science Museums and the Royal Albert Hall, the Ampersand has it all on its doorstep.

And if that wasn’t enough the French Institute is a stone’s throw away.

This grand hotel dates back to 1888 and still retains many of its original features. There are 111 rooms merging the old with the new in an opulent setting.

Facilities extend to three meeting rooms, including the Games Room, which can house a ping pong table, the Library and smaller Wine Room, adjacent to the restaurant and with a banqueting table. Elsewhere there is an open-plan business centre and a small gym.

We visited on a Sunday evening and were warmly greeted and taken to our large and beautiful room, with equally attractive adjoining bathroom.

Rooms are equipped with iPod docks and Handy phones (which can be used to make calls and as guide book). The inviting black and white tiled bathrooms are stocked with L’Occitane products.

All the rooms select a different theme inspired by the hotel’s location – botany, music, geometry, ornithology and astronomy are reflected in the décor.

The on-site restaurant, Apero, is a perfect casual fine dining that serves up beautiful Mediterranean dishes and excellent cocktails. We had maybe one too many, but is there ever really one too many with cocktails?

After a perfect night’s sleep, the breakfast was one of the best we have ever had in London, the food was well presented, tasty and with a  huge selection.

Facilities extend to three meeting rooms, including the Games Room, which can house a ping pong table, the Library and smaller Wine Room, adjacent to the restaurant and with a banqueting table. Elsewhere there is an open-plan business centre and a small gym.

We couldn’t recommend this hotel enough. You feel like you are part of history, the present and the future all in one stay. What a mix!

https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/travel/beyond-invictus-toronto-must-see-sports-enthusiasts/05/10/

Joe Mellor

Head of Content

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