The Pelham Hotel London

Great Location, Romantic Hotel

I booked The Pelham as a surprise for my husband for our first wedding anniversary at the beginning of September. Stepping into the cool reception was lovely after the hectic pace of South Kensington, check in was swift and easy (apart from them mentioning the room rate!) and we were shown to our room by the hotel manager.

Our room was at the front of the hotel, overlooking the streets below. Loved the view (3rd floor) and plenty of light in the room and bathroom. I was concerned that it would be noisy but the double windows ensured this wasn't the case and the air conditioning meant that we did not have to keep the windows open on a hot night.

The room was beautifully appointed, a walk in wardrobe had plenty of hangers of different types, a hairdryer and fully stocked bar (pretty expensive but certainly well thought out) with drinks, crisps & snacks. The bathroom was a double-sink affair with a lovely bath and power-shower above. All sparkling clean and again with yummy toiletries and oodles of soft towels and robes.

We were delivered a champagne cocktail and canapes (couldn't have been any tastier) and relaxed for a little before heading out for the afternoon. We dined elsewhere (it's so close to Knightsbridge & the Fulham & Kings Roads) but were impressed with the menu for Kemps downstairs. An honesty bar in the drawing room was a lovely relaxing luxury at the end of the day. We ordered breakfast in bad and were not dissappointed by any of it at all.

All in all I would reccommend this hotel and probably any in the group (firmdale). From initial contact to reservation and arrival all was perfect and we felt special but equally left to ourselves.

Fantastic Boutique Hotel, First Class, Very Expensive

This place is absolutely fantastic BUT you will need loads of cash or an expense account + understanding boss. The rooms are really really nice (stay in 131) and the staff could not be more freindly or helpful. The food in the restaurant is outstanding. This hotel is conveniently located across the street from a train station and cafe (great sausage rolls). Once again, if you're really loaded, then this is the place for you.

Charming and chic with friendly service

Not much more to add to the previous positive reviews. We stayed one night and also were impressed with this small, charming, and beautifully decorated hotel.

I should add that we actually live in the neighborhood (my partner is British, and I spend a good part of the year in London), and Kemps restaurant is a favorite. It tends to be quiet. Occasionally the food and service don't quite hit the mark. (Most recently, we had a sticky toffee pudding that had absolutely no toffee at all. The waitress said it was supposed to be served that way . . . hmmm . . . ) But usually it's a good value restaurant with friendly staff. We've never spotted any celebrities there, but frankly, I consider that a plus in celebrity-obsessed London.

Just one very minor observation: you can sometimes feel the vibrations from the tube (subway) in the rooms. This is a problem in all of South Kensington, however, and you soon don't notice it.

Best London Boutique Hotel

Lived in London for three years and now fly in for long business trips 3 or 4 times a year staying two weeks at a time. On the rare occassion that I cannot get a room at The Pelham, I am almost always disappointed.

First, the location is outstanding. It's located across the street from the South Ken tube station (which is a stop on the most coveted lines for business and tourist travelers: the Picadilly and Circle/District lines), and has a taxi stand right next to the hotel that is seldom without a cab waiting (rare in London). Restaurants, museums, nightlife are walking distance, as is some of the best boutique shopping in all of London (and that's saying something). (Ask for directions to Hampstead Crepes...a wonderful taste of London's Little Paris steps from the hotel.)

Since most visitors to London want a Dickensian experience, The Pelham's decor wisely blends the old with the new. Three or four Victorian townhouses (called terraced houses in London) were joined together to form the hotel and the design preserves some of the wonderful detailing but juices it up with very fashionable touches. The lobby (that is, the area where you check in) is not much to speak about, but the two adjoining clubby, lavishly wood-paneled lounges are. One of the lounges is non-smoking and has a glorious old desk with a laptop for free internet use, while the other has an honor-bar featuring outstanding single-malt whiskeys and a host of local papers. Either will make you feel like modern landed gentry.

The restaurant is very good, especially if one orders the daily specials (the chef's off menu specials, such as the avacado tempura, are to die for) or has breakfast (an increadibly lavish buffet that is visually stunning). The rooms are all very well designed. But, especially for Americans making their first trip, one would be wise to keep in mind that some can be very small, as they are in Europe in general. But even the smallest rooms are carefully planned and I find them to be very welcoming, with many elegant, designer touches and quite comfortable even for long stays. Having said that, if you can afford it, the larger rooms are even better. Regardless of size, all have wonderful marble-lined bathrooms with Molton Brown accessories. The attention to detail is extraordinary. Highly recommended.

Loved It!

We loved the hotel. The rooms are nicely decorated and the bathrooms were good sized and modern. The common rooms are very cozy and charming.

The service in the dining room was excellent. The staff seemed happy to be there. We had dinner one night which we thought was very good, although the room is small and got very smoky, but that's London.

The concierge service was excellent. We needed to mail some purchases that weren't packaged. I dropped them off at the concierge and we recieved them the day after we arrived home.

The only drawback for me was the small gym, no treadmill.

Can't wait to go back to the Pelham!

Fabulous hotel! My husband and I stayed there for 6 days and we can't wait to go back. The bathrooms are very nice and spacious. The staff knew us by name. The concierge was very helpful. We LOVED this hotel!

Boutique hotel at its Best!

We stayed at the Pelham over the Valentine's Day Weekend, 2004 -- 3 nights. Service throughout was outstanding with concierge service thoughtful and efficient and the front desk memorizing all of our requests. The suite we occupied was beautifully appointed. The Pelham is a perfect boutique hotel near a tube stop and walking distance to many restaurants and shops. Breakfasts were exceptional. We couldn't have asked for anything more.

Agree - Pelham was a great hotel

I agree - stayed at the Pelham in November 2002 and it was an excellent hotel. The room was small as anticipated but attractively furnished with antiques and great linens, and the bathroom was very nice. The staff was helpful and the location was terrific, right by the South Ken tube stop. Would definitely stay at the Pelham again!

For a wonderful taste of english hotels at their best

For a wonderful taste of English hotels at their best you simply cannot beat the Pelham. It simply oozes charm and luxury. The bedrooms are beautifully decorated in country house style and have all the little touches that make you feel at home and welcome. Staff are helpful and friendly. A great place to stay.

Tea for Two - not at the Pelham!

Cosy, comfortable entrance but do not try the afternoon tea - the cakes/scones were dry and at least a few days old, the bread for the 3 small finger sandwiches was stale, and the tea was very weak. It almost seemed as if we had taken everyone by surprise, even though I had phoned the hotel to warn them we would be arriving. At £16 for 2 people, this seemed quite reasonable but it is worth paying extra for a well-known afternoon tea establishment.