Detailed Review
The Knightsbriddge Hotel's reception area is dominated by a specially commissioned sculpture by Carol Sinclair and two collages of dogs by Peter Clark. The lobby leads into the drawing room.
The two drawing rooms are just off the lobby. The first has an African feel and is designed in earthy colours, black and white. The library is more romantic in soft neutrals, pale pinks and greens. There is original art by many British artists, including a stunning sculpture in the lobby, specially designed fabrics, quirky book-lights and specially commissioned ceramics. Both drawing room and library boast French sandstone fireplaces, and, in the tradition of Firmdale Hotels, there is a fully stocked honesty bar.
There are 44 bedrooms and suites all individually designed in a fresh, modern English style. Room service is available 24 hours a day.
Press Quotes
"For travelers who seek action and repose, it could be the perfect spot."The New York Times 06
Independent Reviews
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“A subdued offering from Firmdale, the Knightsbridge boutique still bears the Kit Kemp mark – refined, polished and sophisticated.”
The Knightsbridge
By Chloe Loyd
The newest of the Firmdale group (which also comprises the Pelham, Charlotte Street, Covent Garden, No. 16 Sumner Place and the upcoming Bloomsbury), the Knightsbridge is a contemporary, luxury boutique hotel which jostles the largely traditional Chelsea townhouse hotel scene.
While not the most innovative of Tim and Kit Kemp’s flourishing hotel group, the Knightsbridge is a pleasant mix of funky modern furniture and adornments, hand-picked from many corners of the globe, without straying too far from the conventional English luxury comforts that the Chelsea clientele appear to adore.
Champagne is served at six in the Africa room, perhaps to be enjoyed on the zebra-print chair amongst other aptly chosen furniture and paintings. Next door, the library offers a relaxing retreat, warmed by the glow of a fire in winter months. Contemporary works of art including interesting modern sculpture and papier mache displays fill these rooms and adorn the walls - nothing invasive, but they do add interest. The adjoining honesty bar is small but well stocked. There are no breakfast or restaurant facilities so guests make do with the sitting rooms for their complimentary breakfast or use room service.
Each bedroom is different and individually decorated in true Firmdale style. You feel as though every item of furniture – such as the twisted wooden lamp stand and unique, curvaceous drawers in one room - have been specifically chosen for that room alone. The rich, luxurious fabrics that make up the bedspreads and drapes are brought over from France and Italy and splash the rooms with bright Mediterranean colours.
Other Firmdale trademarks include the Roberts wirelesses and Paul Smith cameras. The bathrooms are not huge but well lit and with all you might need. Most have modern baths but some have the old-fashioned deep bath tubs. All rooms have good work space with dual-line phones and data ports, air conditioning and double glazing. Mobile phones can also be hired from reception.
The overall style is a tasteful mix of antiques with more modern and funky artefacts. Nothing is way out, except perhaps Kit Kemp’s trademark, the individually upholstered life-sized mannequins which grace all rooms. A quirky addition, and not to everyone’s taste at the foot of their bed; they can be removed on request.
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