Reserve

Reserve Online

The Bentley logo
Guaranteed best rates direct

Category: shopping

A Perfect Long Weekend in South Kensington: Your Ultimate City Break Guide

South Kensington is the ideal destination for a long weekend getaway in London and autumn is the perfect season to book your break. Autumn months benefit from less crowds, pleasant temperatures and beautiful orange/gold scenery. South Kensington is an area of London bursting with culture, things to do and luxurious dining options. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to planning your city break. To get you off to a head start we’ve put together a guide for a great long weekend in this iconic area. 

Where to Stay: South Kensington 

For a true taste of luxury, why not stay at The Bentley Hotel? Located in the heart of South Kensington, this five-star hotel offers elegant rooms, delicious dining, and a tranquil spa—everything you need for a relaxing weekend in London. Plus, book our website special to include a full English breakfast with your stay. 

Friday: Day 1 – Arrival & Exploring 

Your adventure begins as soon as you arrive in South Kensington. Whether you’re coming by train, bus, or car, getting to this part of London is a breeze. The area is well-connected to the rest of the city by public transport, with South Kensington tube station serving as your gateway. 

Check-In
Check-in with ease after 3pm. Drop all your bags off and indulge in the luxury surroundings. Feel free to speak to our friendly concierge about any questions or directions you may need for your break. 

A Stroll Through Hyde Park
Just a short walk from your hotel is Hyde Park, one of London’s most iconic green spaces. Which makes it perfect to explore and stretch your legs after travelling. Take a leisurely stroll through the park as the sun sets taking in the beautiful autumn atmosphere and work up an appetite for dinner! 

Dinner at The Bentley
Start your evening the right way relaxing with a drink or two in Malachite bar before heading over to Le Peridot, The Bentley’s in-house restaurant. Indulge in a decadent meal, It’s the perfect spot to kick off your weekend in style, plus get 15% off if you booked your break through our ‘Website Special’. 

Hyde Park in Autumn

Saturday: Day 2 – The Museums

The Museum Tour
Start your first full day with a visit to South Kensington’s museum quarter. There’s so much to see and do here that it can keep you occupied all day! 

First on the agenda is the Science Museum, where you’ll find interactive exhibits and fascinating displays about everything from space exploration to future technology. Next, head over to the Natural History Museum, one of London’s most beautiful buildings and explore the wonders of the natural world, from dinosaur fossils to gems and minerals. Finally visit the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), dedicated to art and design. From fashion to sculpture, the V&A’s collections are sure to inspire and amaze. 

Lunch & Dinner in South Kensington
With so many fabulous restaurants in South Kensington, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Whether you’re in the mood for Italian, French, or classic British cuisine, there’s something for everyone. For lunch, try one of the eateries along Exhibition Road just along from the museums, or a restaurant like Honest Burgers on Thurloe Street 

For dinner, why not book a table at Claude Bosi’s Bibendum for a Michelin-starred French haute cuisine experience? 

Sunday: Day 3 – Shopping & Relaxation

After a day of museum-hopping, Sunday is all about shopping and pampering yourself.

A Morning of Retail Therapy
Start your day with some retail therapy at Fortnum & Mason and Harrods—two of London’s most iconic department stores. Explore their luxury food halls, browse designer fashion, and pick up some souvenirs from your trip. Continue your shopping experience down Kensington High Street, where you’ll find a range of high-end and boutique stores and plenty of places to have lunch. 

Afternoon Spa Treatment 
After a morning of shopping, head back to Le Kalon Spa at The Bentley Hotel for a relaxing treatment. From soothing massages to rejuvenating facials, you’ll leave feeling completely refreshed and ready for your evening. Take a look at our latest treatment packages. 

Cap off your weekend with a fabulous dinner at Launceston Place for European fine dining, Da Mario Kensington for a simple Italian Trattoria or Ognisko for up-scale Polish and Baltic dining. Before seeing a performance at the Royal Albert Hall. 

Spa Package

Monday: Day 4 – A Royal Finish

Make the most of a relaxing breakfast and leisurely check out before 11am at The Bentley. Before you head home, take the time to explore a little more of London’s regal side. 

Visit Buckingham Palace & Green Park 
No London weekend is complete without a visit to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch. Time it right, and you might catch the famous Changing of the Guard ceremony. Head through to Green Park, and back to Hyde Park where you can enjoy the gardens and take a final walk before making your way home. 

That completes your South Kensington city break but there’s plenty more to see like… Kensington Gardens and Palace, the Design Museum, Saatchi Gallery and Holland Park plus not even mentioning the rest of London! So why not book our Stay Longer, Save More offer and save up to 20% off our best available flexible rate for your entire break when you book 4 nights or more, it pays to stay longer!  

Your Ultimate Kensington Shopping Guide

South Kensington is one of the best boroughs of London, and not just because it is the home to The Bentley Hotel! It features some of London’s greatest museums, beautiful parks, and a wide range of shopping opportunities. Over the next few months shopping is on the minds of many. With London shops open late and lit by thousands of twinkly lights – the whole experience is even more magical. This year some displays promise to be some of the biggest London has seen. 90 000 twinkling LEDs will feature in Bond Streets 2022 display. The theme will pay homage to the Royal Family and will continue the Jubilee celebrations to end the year. Crowns, tiaras, and necklaces will adorn the surrounding streets and junctions of this elite shopping destination and enhance the glamour found there.

If you choose to stay at The Bentley to enjoy the delights of shopping in Kensington, we have luxury 5* rooms which will make your visit to London extra special.  Our very own spa, Le Kalon, is the perfect place to relax your aching legs after a day of intense shopping. With Gift Vouchers available for Spa Packages, now is the season for giving the gift of relaxation! 

In this latest blog, we have your ultimate shopping day planned right here right from the doorstep of our hotel…

To begin, make a start at Knightsbridge and peruse the delights of Harrods and Harvey Nichols. Both are iconic London department stores in which you are guaranteed to find a special something. With a wide selection of goods, there is something for everybody. A perfect combination of affordable to exclusive products, including perfumes, cosmetics, fashion, British souvenirs, even luxury foods and groceries!

Next, head on over to Kings Road. Where you will find an unusual, cultural mix of trendy boutique stores and classic favourites. Kings Road has been described as generations of memories all woven into a love affair that’s indescribable! Just make sure you have your comfortable shoes on because there’s plenty to see and lots of shops to visit.

After all that walking, you might want to rest your legs. So, head on back to your hotel room, drop off your bags and treat yourself to the perfect pick-me-up – afternoon tea!

After sampling our freshly made cakes and pastries, you’ll be ready to head back out and venture over to the luxury shopping area of Mayfair. Streets like Bond Street and Mount Street offer huge fashion names like Chanel, Gucci, and Christian Louboutin. These special streets are regularly frequented by the rich and famous. Even window shopping is satisfying in this exclusive area of London!

Finally, if you are still looking for that certain something, then Kensington High Street won’t let you down. Find your favoured branded stores and more in this special location. Plus, the best bit is you aren’t far from your hotel room at the end of the day! We hope that you enjoy shopping in London and your stay at The Bentley Hotel. 

Top Five Things to Do in Kensington

Are you wondering what to do in South Kensington? This beautiful borough is home to some of the best places to visit in London. See our top five things to do in Kensington below. 
 
1. Take Your Pick of Museums! 
 
If you love to spend an afternoon immersed in culture, then South Kensington has it all with a host of museums to visit. The V&A, Natural History and the Science Museum, are all within a short walk of each other. Rather than choose which you want to visit, why not spend some time at them all! During this autumn here are some of the exhibition highlights: Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature at the V&A, Science Fiction: Voyage to the Edge of Imagination at the Science Museum, plus the return of the huge Diplodocus replica – Dippy Returns at the National History Museum! 
 
2. See a Performance at the Royal Albert Hall 
 
This iconic Victorian venue has been showing a variety of performances for 150 years! Nestled right in the heart of South Kensington, the hall has events, guided tours, and exhibitions available to book tickets for. Swing dance the night away across the dancefloor of the auditorium on 27 Sep, listen to soundtracks of your favourite films performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra throughout this autumn, or relax with some Late Night Jazz in the Elgar Room. 
 
3. Go Royalty Spotting at Kensington Palace and Gardens 
 
As the official London residence of the newly titled Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Kensington Palace is a beautiful place to immerse yourself in Royal History. Take a tour of this stunning abode and discover the childhood of Queen Victoria who grew up at the palace. Also able to view are the Kings and Queens State Apartments. You’ll be amazed at the grandeur! 
 
4. Shop British on Knightsbridge 
 
Knightsbridge is one of London’s high–end shopping areas, containing big designer names to specialist boutiques. It is most famously the home to the classic British department store – Harrods. Browse their catalogue of luxury goods and famous brand names, then treat yourself to seasonal patisserie served on glamorous pink crockery at the Jimmy Choo Cafe.  
 
5. Find a Hidden Gem at Portobello Road Market  
 
With stalls stretching as far as a mile down Portobello Road, this market is one of the world’s largest antique, bric-a-brac and vintage clothing markets! It’s a hub of culture and community as people come together from all over London and the world to see what this colourful street has to offer. Expect to find delicious street food, talented musicians and unique items when visiting this special street market. 
 
These are just 5 of our top things to see in South Kensington, but there are many more interesting places to explore. You will need more than a day to appreciate what this fabulous area of London has to offer. If you are looking for somewhere to spend the night that represents the glamour of South Kensington, then The Bentley Hotel is perfectly located to enjoy all these attractions and much more. With a superior selection of luxury 5* rooms and suites, book via our website for the very best prices and a discount on our best available rate. See our special offers page here. We look forward to welcoming you and hope you have a great time in South Kensington! 

Welcome 2022 in Luxury this January

Hello 2022! 

Here we are in January with a whole year of opportunities in front of us. I think we can all agree that hopefully it will be a year of less restrictions and more normality for all! What are you planning for 2022? Now the holiday season has come to a close, we can end up feeling a little flat, so here is a way to brighten up your January in London.  

At the Bentley Hotel Kensington, we have a choice of over 60 rooms – all expertly designed with you in mind to provide your stay with plenty of space and opulent luxury. There are a range of deluxe rooms and suites, each with a fully marbled bathroom and bathtubs with whirlpool jets to maximise relaxation. Consider really treating yourself this January… Imagine reclining in one of the largest suites in central London, surrounded by grandeur; floor to ceiling windows, a grand piano, steam room and private access to the Le Kalon Spa. You could holiday like this in our Imperial Suite, an apartment that’s home from home, even with an option to entertain guests around the large dining table. It has to be the ultimate London hotel experience!

Add some entertainment to your plans, by enjoying a performance at the iconic Royal Albert Hall. Less than a mile away from The Bentley Hotel, the Hall has plenty of upcoming events to enhance your stay. 2022 will mark 25 years since Cirque Du Soleil came to the stage and this time the mind-bending production will take you to an imaginary Mexico. Prepare to be wowed by a series of grand visual surprises and breath-taking acrobatic performances. Booking from 12 Jan – 27 Feb – an unmissable treat. Or maybe you fancy a night of sensational music with the Late Night Jazz events happening throughout January and February. Harpists, trumpeters, saxophonists and pianists will take to the stage, there’s something for all.

Don’t forget that the famous London January sales are still on across the capital. Shop till you drop and make it a stress free experience by staying right in the heart of the action. Alleviate those travel concerns and have somewhere to drop off your bags at the end of the day, or maybe even half way!

The only way to experience true splendour and service is by coming to see us at The Bentley for yourself. No matter what kind of stay you choose we can assure you will get to savour the taste of luxury and you will be able to holiday in London like a VIP. Make the most of quieter London days and take advantage of our booking offers and deals on our website. We hope to welcome you soon in 2022! 

Enjoy Stress-Free Shopping and Winter Fun

Spiced hot drinks, warm comfort food, cosy knitted jumpers… There are many reasons to love winter and let’s not forget that it’s always a great time of year to find a bargain. The sales are almost upon us, and there is no better destination than London to indulge in a spot of shopping. Whether you hit the department stores like Harrod’s for a variety of things to purchase or visit the more luxury boutique stores that populate King’s Road you definitely don’t want to think about anything else other than finding that perfect buy.  

Most love the rush that sales shopping can bring but let’s face it, it can be a busy day, especially shopping in London. You can alleviate unnecessary stress now by planning to make it a much more enjoyable experience. Book a stay at The Bentley Hotel Kensington to put yourself right in the middle of the action ready to shop early and beat the competition. Get rid of the usual parking problems and have a base close to the hottest shopping destinations. Feel free to drop off your bags, and relax with afternoon tea in the lounge and recharge your batteries, ready for round two. You won’t regret transforming your trip into a luxury experience, after all, following a long day it’s essential to have somewhere you can put your feet up and peruse all your purchases!  

Whilst in London don’t miss out on the special events planned just for winter, like the city-wide pop-up ice rinks – where you can experience popular destinations transformed for a limited time. There’s no better way to enjoy this time of year than confidently gliding along through the crisp air. It’s a great activity for all the family or for a special date with a loved one or friend. The capital hosts a variety of venues and atmospheres to choose from, with some offering late night skates, skyscraper views, igloo bars and various music choices. You can even still visit if skating isn’t for you… warm your hands on a hot chocolate from the bar and watch the skating action from a cosy viewing deck.  

If you’re looking for a rink close to The Bentley visit the Natural History Ice Rink – sadly it’s the last chance to skate in front of this iconic museum after 16 magical years. So don’t miss out.  

Some of the other rink locations are: 

Hampton Court Palace Rink  

Skate at Somerset House 

Queens House Ice Rink 

Ice rink Canary Wharf 

Skylight London Ice Rink

Another local rink is in Hyde Parks Winter Wonderland – still open for bookings until the 3rd January, a winter extravaganza for all the family.

However you plan to spend your time enjoying London, whether it be shopping till you drop, taking in the lights whilst gliding along on skates, or other wintery plans, be sure to book the best hotel to stay in London in 5 star luxury at The Bentley Hotel Kensington. We’ll make sure you feel like royalty in our opulently decorated rooms and suites – because holidays should have that little bit extra to make you feel special.