Nothing speaks to the soul more than old walls. The Milestone Hotel, a Grade II listed English mansion, has been a hotel for more than a century. Located a stone’s throw from the busy Kensington High Street and opposite the picturesque royal Kensington Gardens, it has one of the most sought-after postcodes in London.
Interestingly, the hotel originally comprised of three separate private homes spanning numbers one to three of Kensington Court, built for aristocratic families. Each home, while unique in design, displays details resonant of Victorian English architecture and boasts exciting stories and legends.
Landmark of aristocrats
The original four-storey residence was Kensington House, built in 1689 and occupied by a commissioner under King William III. His son, Arthur Onslow, served as Speaker of the House of Commons for three decades. Mr. Onslow sublet the property to George Davenport, an officer in the Royal Bodyguard, who claimed Shakespeare as his grandsire.
The property’s literary connections don’t end there; in the mid-19th century, the house was occupied by Count Peter Grigorevich Chernyshev, the Russian Ambassador to London. His daughter, Natalia, lived to the age of ninety-two and achieved immortality as the inspiration for the Countess in Alexander Pushkin’s short story, “Queen of Spades.”
Beautifully preserved
The hotel itself is steeped in colourful history. Once inside, you’ll realise the unique interior décor manages to blend luxe furnishings while still retaining its old-world charm. Even the lobby offers a sumptuous place to take the weight off your feet and soak up the atmosphere.
To continue cooling your jets, visit the newly renovated Stables Bar, which serves delectable hand-crafted cocktails. The venue’s history as an actual horse stable within the original mansion house is reflected in the upscale interior design theme and equestrian artwork by Belgian artist Elie Lambert.
Individually styled rooms
No two rooms or suites are alike, yet each of the 56 guest rooms casts its own spell. For instance, the Meghan Suite is finished in black-and-white marble and is very spacious; the jewel-toned Hermes Suite features an exceptionally high ceiling, a striking brass bed, and a personal collection of Hermes scarves hung on the walls; there is also the campy leopard print Noel Coward Suite and the black-and-gold Ruhlmann Suite. The roll-call of celebrity guests attracted by such extravaganza includes Patrick Stewart, Alanis Morissette, and Cillian Murphy.
Tailored experiences
The property is part of the London-based Red Carnation Hotels Collection, which owns boutique properties in England, Ireland, Switzerland, Botswana, South Africa, and the U.S. The group is known for an array of activities designed for a memorable stay.
At the Milestone, bespoke experiences include having a personal or family portrait painted by the resident artist Shelley Levy while you sip afternoon tea; in-room private performances by musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra; individual visits to Kensington Palace; and private, after-dark viewings of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London.
You can also book a master class in Sabrage – the technique of opening a bottle with a saber – or discover the art of foraging for wild edible and medicinal plants, trees, and mushrooms.
Majestic afternoon tea
Afternoon tea is served in the hotel’s exquisite Park Lounge. The room is adorned with rich mahogany furniture, wood panelling, and roaring fires that keep things cosy while Victorian leaded windows flood the room with natural light. A vibrant painting of Wimbledon adorns the wall, alongside tomes from authors such as Voltaire and Tennyson. Despite the room being quite intimate, the tables are well-spaced and ideal for quiet conversations and a private experience.
We began with a selection of hand-cut finger sandwiches: free-range egg mayonnaise with Hampshire watercress, Scottish salmon and dill crème fraîche on rye bread, Dingley Dell ham with seeded mustard mayonnaise, and cucumber with cream cheese.
Our favourite was a signature circular sandwich called Mrs. T’s chicken mayonnaise coated with chopped toasted almond. It’s named after The Milestone’s president and founder, Bea Tollman, who created the original recipe. The savoury part of the experience was paired with Planter’s Mistress, a refreshing golden tea with bergamot, orange, and lemon peel.
Perfect scones
A common problem with Afternoon tea is the dilemma of whether to start with the sweet scones while they are still warm or with the savoury sandwiches and then eat the scones cold. At the Milestone, they’ve solved this problem by bringing out the freshly baked scones only after you’ve finished the sandwiches—all afternoon teas should do this!
Delicate patisseries complete the experience, with baked vanilla cheesecake made using another Bea Tollman’s original recipe being a highlight. We washed everything down with a delicious apple & cinnamon tea.
However, it would be rude not to opt for a glass of Champagne Lanson, a Royal Warrant holder since 1900. If you’re not drinking alcohol, try Wild Idol, the premium alcohol-free sparkling rosé that’s both refreshing and light.
More information about The Milestone Hotel and its Afternoon tea can be found here.
Image credits: © The Milestone Hotel
