The Pelham – Starhotels Collezione

The Pelham Hotel is indistinguishable from the other Georgian townhouses that predominate this London street. Only a large Union Jack flag flying outside differentiates it from the row of white-washed properties, which is perfectly in keeping with the hotel’s home-away-from-home vibe. Inside, there’s a feeling of stepping into someone’s glamorous townhouse. Tibetan and Indian fabrics have been framed and hung on the wood-paneled walls in the lounge and feel as though they could have been picked up on the eccentric owners’ travels. Lots of thick carpets, fluffy cushions, and velvety textures make the lobby and lounge feel generous and welcoming. They clash perfectly with the harder walls, patterned stone table, and distressed glass. Communal areas are unabashedly whimsical, with pink orchids and floral frames around vintage pictures, as well as healthy doses of pink and floral motifs. Just off the functional lobby area is the lounge, where there’s a good amount of elegant seating. We saw lots of guests relaxing here with a magazine or chatting on the chic sofas. In the evenings most travelers -- and lots of locals -- can be found downstairs at the hotel's Italian restaurant, La Trattoria by Alfredo Russo. It’s equally cozy and welcoming, with a traditional Italian vibe, lots of dark wood, and red as well as ever-changing artwork. This hotel’s rates are steep, but it is centrally located. However, some travelers may be put off by the sugary-sweet, cosmopolitan townhouse aesthetic.

The Pelham’s location is ideal if you want to be right in the thick of things. It’s opposite South Kensington station and just a four-minute walk from both The Victoria & Albert Museum and Natural History Museum. It takes just a minute longer to reach The Science Museum on foot, which is another of the must-see attractions just off Exhibition Road. The immediate surroundings may be built up and bustling, but you don’t have to journey far for some greenery. Kensington Gardens takes just under 15 minutes to reach on foot, and it's about the same to Hyde Park. Budget the same amount of time to reach the Saatchi Gallery on Chelsea’s legendary King’s Road. Alternatively, you can do this journey by train in seven minutes. Here you’ll find fashion boutiques, designers, artisan producers, and plenty of cafes and restaurants. For other landmarks such as Big Ben, it’s a short 10-minute train journey, while Buckingham Palace takes a longer 17-minute journey to reach by train. Oxford Street is also around a 17-minute train ride away. Heathrow is the closest airport and takes half an hour to get to by car, depending on the traffic, or 50 minutes by train. Gatwick is the next closest airport by train, taking just over 40 minutes to reach, but a much longer hour and 10 minutes by car. 

The 52 rooms are individually designed in the tell-tale aesthetic of award-winning interior designer, Kit Kemp. Interiors vary from room to room, but all blend old and new to create an eclectic look. Expect to see antique furniture side by side with a modern color palette for an uplifting take on quintessential British style. In the Mews Suite, the maximalist approach to fabrics works well, with paisley headboards, striped armchairs, and plush carpets and curtains all in different pinks, blues, and soft yellows. The King Suite is more regal, leaning heavily on royal blues and golds, gilded picture frames, and a medieval-looking chandelier to create an impactful look. Entry-level Superior Rooms are less grand than the suites but still have fun accents like patterned wallpaper and exuberant headboards. The colors in these rooms tend to be warming yellows or chic blues. Though they differ in style, all rooms display a home-away-from-home feel -- if home happens to be a glossy countryside-meets-city pad in the heart of London. The Simmons beds with Frette linens are comfy, and all rooms have at least a desk chair and armchair, while the suites have sofas and extra chairs. High-end amenities include flat-screen Samsung Smart TVs with DVD players, free Wi-Fi, coffee-and-tea-making facilities, Handy smartphones, and safes. Solid granite and oak bathrooms, with vintage-style taps, have shower/tub combos or separate showers in addition to Penhaligon toiletries and hairdryers. Upgrading will get you bathrobes, slippers, and a minibar. The most impressive option is the Mews Suite. Set apart from the hotel, this bi-level loft style suite has a lounge and dining area on the lower level and upstairs there’s an open-plan bedroom with king-size bed. 

One of the hotel's drawcards is its restaurant, which is led by Michelin-starred chef, Alfredo Russo. It’s downstairs, below street level, and has a more refined look than the rest of the hotel. Sensible wooden floors and burnt orange leather seats create a warm and welcoming look, while the striped wallpaper brings a bit of Italy to South Kensington. Breakfast is served here and consists of the usual continental spread as well as some extras like duck egg on potato and goat’s cheese rosti. There’s also a Floral Afternoon Tea, light lunch, and dinner menus. An intimate cocktail bar completes the space. Five meeting rooms can hold up to 45 guests. The best is Event Room 1, which has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Cromwell Place, glamorous fuchsia furniture, various murals, and fabric hanging lights. The different rooms are suitable for presentations, press conferences, board meetings, and private dining events, and they're far more stylish than normal event spaces. High-speed Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel. Unfortunately, you won't find a fitness center or spa at the hotel.