Artistic upmarket property with views of Kensington
Set in cultural South Kensington, near restaurants and museums
Individually-styled rooms have decadent bathrooms and plush interiors
Some rooms include balconies and one has a rooftop terrace
Flat-screen TVs, tablets, coffee-and-tea-making facilities, and safes are standard
Asian Fusion restaurant, 100 Kensington, on the first floor of hotel
Carefully curated corridors feature different artists' works
Three-minute walk to South Kensington Tube station
Free Wi-Fi throughout
Hotel lacks a spa or gym
Rooms are on the small side
Some guests complain of scuff marks and broken drawers
Breakfast is below par for a hotel of this price
The Exhibitionist Hotel is an upscale boutique property in London's popular South Kensington area. It’s set just off bustling Cromwell Road, within walking distance of the neighborhood’s best attractions. The hotel lives up to its name, with rooms and communal areas that are bold and maximalist in design, commanding attention with their unusual array of artwork. High-end amenities include flat-screen TVs, Noble Isle toiletries, and in-room tablets, though rooms are on the small side. The 100 Kensington restaurant and bar is on the ground floor of the hotel and has a similarly bold style. It’s open for breakfast and dinner, but guest feedback is mixed on the food and service. Rates are steep, even for the area; try Double Tree by Hilton London - Kensington instead for a budget-friendly stay.
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Scene
Art-centric hotel showcasing local and emerging artists, with a hip vibe
In this part of London, it’s all mansion blocks and townhouses and The Exhibitionist is no exception. From the outside, the hotel is perfectly prim in every way, but inside things are given a twist. You’re immediately met by a life-sized bronze bull which stands proudly next to a mannequin clothed in colorful flowers and feathers. This sets the tone for an art-centric hotel that aims to excite. Classic white paneled walls and traditional dark wood floors bring a chic, familiar touch to the ultra-modern interiors. From the main reception area, there’s a bar, restaurant, and lounge, separate by draped curtains, and a breakfast space. Heading up the stairwell the hotel continues to reveal itself. There’s a mural by Karis Knight inspired by the Art Deco movement and each corridor is individually themed with an individual artist's work. The overall vibe is bold and irreverent, calling to mind a modern art gallery rather than a hotel. Unsurprisingly, the hotel’s interiors are popular with fashionistas, and as a result, guests and locals like to hang out in the vibrant communal areas when they’re not sightseeing nearby. This hotel has steep rates -- even for a South Kensington property -- and some guests resent paying so much when there’s still finessing and fine-tuning to be done. Still, there's personality to spare here and it no doubt has its appeal for many travelers.
Location
Surrounded by restaurants, museums, and green spaces in South Kensington
The Exhibitionist is perfectly positioned for those wanting to explore the cultural highlights of London. The Natural History Museum is a short four-minute walk from the property while the Victoria & Albert Museum takes six minutes to reach and the Science Museum is seven minutes away on foot. The concerts and performances at the spectacular Royal Albert Hall are well worth a visit, since it's only a 10-minute walk from the hotel. For shopping trips, it takes 10 minutes by bus to get to Knightsbridge, where you'll find the likes of Harrods. Kensington Palace is a longer 20-minute walk from the hotel but the route is a pleasant one and passes through a section of Hyde Park. Iconic London landmarks like Big Ben are equally accessible, taking 12 minutes to reach by train from South Kensington Station (the station is only three minutes from the hotel on foot). Heathrow is the closest airport and can be reached in half an hour by car, depending on the traffic, or an hour-long train journey. It's about the same amount of time to Gatwick Airport by train as well.
Rooms
Individually styled with contemporary art and furnishings, plus excellent bathrooms and some with impressive balconies
The 37 rooms range from Standard Doubles to a Two-Bedroom Apartment, with show-stopping Suites like Trash City and Drop-Dead Gorgeous Splash in-between. Interiors consist of oversized velvet headboards in the double rooms, with matching heavy curtains and patterned pillows. The Squint Splash Suite is more adventurous, featuring a clashing patchwork of colors used to upholster chairs, frame mirrors, and decorate furniture. Beds are king-size and comfy, and all rooms have at least a chic tub armchair, while Suites have separate sitting areas. Some rooms also benefit from balconies with views overlooking Kensington. However, some guests complain that rooms have minor scuffs or broken drawers.Rooms are small, though, with Standard Doubles coming in at just 160 square feet (that's tinier than many cheaper competitors). High-end amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffee-and-tea-making facilities, tablets, plus wardrobes with safes. The bathrooms are a highlight, with bathtubs and separate rainfall showers in all units, as well as Noble Isle toiletries. There are two penthouse suites and two basement suites which are undoubtedly the best places to stay. Upgrading to these gets you a Nespresso machine plus hot tubs, Aqua TVs, and custom-made beds. The Jimmie Martin Penthouse, with its achingly cool art, is perhaps the best of these. It has a sprawling rooftop terrace, complete with outdoor television and stylish outdoor seating.
Features
Excellent exhibitions of local and emerging artists, though breakfast is below par
The best feature at this hotel is the artwork. The unusual exhibits are changed monthly to showcase a huge range of up-and-coming artists. Resident curator, Vestalia Chilton of ATTOLLO ART, is dedicated to bringing art to the masses in an interesting and unintimidating fashion -- something the hotel nails. Each floor spotlights a different artist. The hotel has a restaurant and bar on its ground-floor, 100 Kensington, which serves Asian fusion cuisine. It's managed separately from the hotel but operates under the same roof. Unfortunately, the restaurant receives mixed reviews as does the hotel’s breakfast. Guests complain of an average continental buffet spread of pastries, cold cuts, and fruit, which lack the generosity and variety of a luxury hotel. The bar is open late for cocktails, though most guests prefer to go elsewhere.
