Thistle Holborn, The Kingsley

Named after Victorian novelist Charles Kingsley and originally opened in 1898, the Thistle Holborn, The Kingsley Hotel bears its vintage beautifully; it’s housed in an red brick Edwardian building with elegant stonework accents and expansive bay windows. A wrought-iron front portico is flanked by lantern lighting and luscious green window boxes, and it extends over a marble staircase finished with a majestic purple carpet that leads guests inside. Throughout, the hotel features sweeping high ceilings and period details, such as elegant ceiling molding and corniced columns. Decor is modern and sophisticated, pairing perfectly with its vintage details. Fresh white walls and white tiled floors offer an ideal contrast for dark accents and rich velvet furnishings. The lobby is luxurious and chic, with a black-countered marble reception desk that sits before a glossy black wall lit gently in purple. This modern-plus-Edwardian mix is maintained throughout the property, with marble stairs, elegant wrought-iron banisters, chandelier lighting, and purple carpeting. With its air of refinement, the hotel is geared toward both business and leisure guests.

Situated on a bustling street in central London’s cultural and literary Bloomsbury area, the hotel is in walking distance to public transportation, attractions, shopping, and restaurants. The British Museum is a two-minute walk from the hotel, while Trafalgar Square, Covenant Garden, and Oxford Street are all within 15 minutes on foot. A London underground station is just a four-minute walk from the hotel, with others also in walking distance. 

The hotel does not have dedicated on-site parking, but it does offer special rates at the Bloomsbury Square Car Park, a three-minute walk from the hotel.

• Two-minute walk to The British Museum
• Four-minute walk to Holborn Underground Station (Central and Piccadilly Lines)
• Five-minute walk to Tottenham Court Road Station (Northern Line)
• 10-minute walk to Covent Garden
• 15-minute walk to Oxford Street
• 15-minute walk to Trafalgar Square
• 20 minutes to Palace of Westminster by public transportation
• 20 minutes to the Tate Modern by public transportation
• 20 minutes to Buckingham Palace by public transportation
• 30 minutes to Tower of London by public transportation
• One hour and 15 minutes to Heathrow Airport via public transportation
• One hour and 15 minutes to Gatwick Airport via public transportation

Room decor is tasteful and sophisticated, if slightly generic compared to the rest of the hotel. Clean and contemporary, rooms have cream-colored walls, beige carpets and curtains, headboards with natural wood frames, and velvety red armchairs. Beds are luxurious, with a soft blanket and thick mattress that guests find comfortable. Like many London hotels, the rooms are on the smaller side, but there's still plenty of space to move around. All rooms include a flat-screen TV, air-conditioning, coffee and tea facilities, a work desk, a safe, an iron and ironing board, and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are simple but modern with white tiled walls, hardwood accents, a square sink, Thistle toiletries, and a combination shower and tub with a narrow glass partition instead of a shower curtain. Rooms that are higher up and face the street have better views, but courtyard facing rooms are quieter. 

The Kingsley has a chic on-site restaurant called Kingsley Two, which offers British and European meals and a range of wines. Simple and sophisticated, the restaurant uses a palette of beige, cream, and brown over a backdrop of neutral white and light wood. It’s accented with beautiful arched windows and giant, delicate umbrella-shaped light fixtures. The on-site Bar & Lounge serves snacks and drinks in a chic atmosphere with black drum pendant lights and couches covered in plush, velvety pillows. For business travelers and wedding guests, there are several on-site meeting rooms and boardrooms, which all bear the sophisticated decor of the rest of the hotel. The largest on-site venue can hold up to 100 people. Since the hotel is in the literary Bloomsbury district of London and named after a Victorian author, it also has its own library of early 20th century literature. Guests can have classic literature delivered straight to their rooms, along with special reading pillows. Room service is available 24-hours. A full English breakfast buffet is served, but it doesn’t come standard with the room rate. There are no on-site fitness facilities, but the hotel offers a discount at the nearby Nuffield Health Facility.