Category: summer

Feeling Hot, Hot, Hot in London

Are you enjoying the summer sun? 2022 has certainly been a hot summer so far with record temperatures broken, plus even more good weather to come! It’s no fun sat behind a desk so come join us in London to make the most of the sunshine. London is hosting some superb summer events throughout August and into September that you’ll definitely want to be a part of. Plus, if you can’t get the time off now, don’t forget about the bank holiday weekend – Perfect for a long weekend luxury city break in Kensington at The Bentley 5* Hotel.

A shared pastime, loved by all, has to be eating and drinking in the sunshine! There are plenty of alfresco dining options in London available to enjoy. From roof top bars with spectacular views of the city, to pop up events designed to tickle your tastebuds. Covent Garden’s many outdoor dining areas are spread across seven streets and combine a huge range of cuisines from around the world.

For the ultimate al fresco experience, why not take a picnic to one of London’s top green spaces. Hyde Park is just a short distance away from The Bentley. With plenty of spots to spread your blanket and relax, including on the banks of the Serpentine Lido. The lido is a 100m open water swimming area found within Hyde Park. Open from 10am till 6pm you can cool off from the summer heat after a delicious picnic and take a relaxing swim. Bliss!

If you’d rather stay dry, then why not plan your picnic to coincide with one of the free Hyde Park Bandstand concerts happening from 2pm-4pm on select weekends throughout August and into September. See the Melodians Steel Orchestra on Sunday 21st August, Orquesta Mambarito on Saturday 10th September or the Snowdown Colliery Band on Sunday 18th September.

With all that time in the sun you want to be sure that your skin is looking its best. So we have you covered at The Bentley Hotel’s Le Kalon Spa. There is still time to book our summer spa packages to complete the perfect London city break. Our three packages: Summer Pamper, Golden Summer and Summer Delights, each feature a combination of treatments specially curated to refresh your skin and leave it glowing, ready for the sunshine! 

We hope you have a fabulous summer and choose to come and visit London with us at The Bentley Hotel South Kensington, you won’t regret it! 

Enjoy the BBC Proms with The Bentley

One of the closest London attractions to The Bentley is the highly esteemed concert hall – the ‘Royal Albert Hall’. It has hosted a whole range of events and artists during its 150 years, but arguably most famously, each year it hosts the BBC Proms – an eight-week musical extravaganza. This year it will feature 84 concerts and a massive 3000 musicians, performed between the 15 July and the 10 September 2022. 
 
You can be sure to hear a whole range of musical genres and a celebration of orchestras and ensembles from around the world. A special highlight will include performances from a brand-new orchestra the ‘Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra’ made up of recently refugeed Ukrainian musicians. The theme this year is commemorating 100 years of great British broadcasting. It will feature all our favourite BBC brands and some beloved songs from the greatest shows.  
 
Yet again the whole series of concerts will culminate in a huge musical finale that is the Last Night of the Proms. You could be there amidst the all the highlights of the Proms, jam-packed into one event. Schedules for the line ups are available now and tickets are available to purchase through the website.  
 
There is also an opportunity to go ‘Promming’. Promming is a tradition that is held by the BBC Proms where you can go and enjoy all the joys of the event for a mere £7.12. Around 1000 standing tickets to each of the events are reserved for promming and will be released on the day of the event at 10:30am with the exception of some of the Proms which will be released the day before. So even if the event you’re desperate to attend is sold out… There is still the chance to go!  
 
The Bentley is the perfect choice if you plan to visit any of The Proms, situated in South Kensington, less than a mile away from the iconic venue. You can take a short taxi trip across to the Royal Albert Hall from the hotel or even enjoy a leisurely walk towards Hyde Park to your event. We have a large selection of 5* rooms and suites to choose from which will be sure to make your trip a memorable one. Book directly through our website to receive our best flexible rate along with a range of perks to enhance your stay. We look forward to welcoming you at The Bentley Hotel South Kensington, the best hotel in London! And we hope you get to enjoy some of the finest musical performances London has to offer. 

Six Unmissable London Festivals

London is getting warmer and the outdoor events are planned! Who doesn’t love a good festival? An excuse to get together with people, eat new food and enjoy the classic British Summertime. London offers festivals of all types so whatever you are interested in there is an event over the next few months for you. Whether your interests are music, food, theatre, nature, sport, art or even science… In this blog we are going to cover six unmissable London Festivals that are happening this Summer. 
 
Calling all Thespians 
 
Love to belt out some musical numbers? Then West End Live – Saturday 25th June and Sunday 26th June is an event not to be missed. Enjoy completely free performances from West End Musicals – All live in Trafalgar Square. Some performers include classics like Mamma Mia, The Phantom of The Opera and Les Misérables. Check out the full list on the West End Live website. 
 
Music Lovers 
 
Get ready to pull out your festival attire and sing your heart out because BST Hyde Park has music performances booked across 3 weekends throughout June and July. Some musical highlights include; Elton John, Sam Fender and Adele, all set in the stunning scenery of one the Royal Parks. Check out the line ups and where you can buy tickets. 
 
Art Appreciators 
 
Wander through the Masterpiece London Art Fair and purchase or simply view some of the finest works of art, design, furniture and jewellery from antiquity to present day. Held at The Royal Hospital Chelsea from 30 June – 6 July. This year’s 2022 Masterpiece presents two stunning monumental light installations by Anila Quayyum Agha that are a particular must-see visual treat. 
 
Food Aficionados 
 
The world’s greatest food festival, The Taste of London, is happening in Regent’s Park form 15-19 June. Make sure you come with an empty stomach because there are over 100 dishes available with menus available now for you to salivate over. Taste a huge selection of savoury and sweet dishes from the top establishments in London, plus plenty of drink choices to enjoy too! 
 
Horticulture Admirers 
 
Get some inspiration from beautiful garden displays, floral feasts, talks, demos and music at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival from 4-9 July. Plus have the chance to get advice from personalities like Monty Don, Arit Anderson and Hugh-Fearnley Whittingstall. A botanical treat for all nature-lovers. 
 
Science Buffs 
 
Do you know the secrets behind bacteria? If we could power solar panels with berries? Or even if we could heal ourselves with a remote? Get hands on and make your own scientific discoveries at one of London’s biggest science festivals. With workshops and exhibits for all ages. Taking place Wednesday 6 – Sunday 10 July at Carlton House Terrace London. 
 
After a fun filled day at a festival you definitely don’t want to have to tackle the drive home. Why not turn your day-trip into a short stay and make the most of your time in London. The Bentley Hotel London is conveniently located in the Royal Borough of Kensington, just across the road from Hyde Park, which makes us a central base for all your travel needs. We offer luxury 5-star accommodation with the very best rates when you book direct through our website. We hope you get chance to visit one of these great London events!

100 Years of Centre Court

Strawberries and cream, luscious grass courts, British Summertime, the Royal Family, the white dress code… What comes to your mind when you think of Wimbledon? Wimbledon is the longest-running tennis tournament in the world and arguably the most prestigious, but where did it all begin?

Tennis hasn’t always been quite like the sport that we know and love today, its history includes French Monks playing a ball game with their hands and shouting ‘Tenez’. Eventually though, hands proceeded to be improved with mitts and many years later the ‘racket’ began to be developed. When the game of ‘tennis’ was in its infancy even Henry VIII was a big fan… He was a keen player who enjoyed playing at his own court. Anne Boleyn was even said to be betting on a game of tennis just before she was taken to the tower of London, it is said she complained that she didn’t get to collect her winnings! Through the invention of better materials and improvements such as bouncy balls opposed to wooden balls, tennis progressed to the outdoor sport that with are more familiar with today. So, it comes as no surprise that England’s fascination with tennis continued to spread to the point where it holds one of the world’s top tennis competitions.

The All England Croquet Club adapted their courts to host the first Wimbledon tennis tournament in 1877 to raise money for their own croquet equipment. However, the event continued from strength to strength and the club quickly changed their name to the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club. The rules that they set for the competition, like the scoring being based on a clock face, are essentially the game of tennis that we have now and the same rules are still in operation. Tennis continued its royal connections and the Royal box was introduced at Wimbledon in 1922. Even the future king of England – George VI competed in 1926. The current royal family often make an appearance today.

2022 marks 100 years of centre court and this year the competition is set to be competed between 27 June – 10 July. So, it’s a great time to celebrate Wimbledon and the history of tennis. Hundreds of Centre Court and No.3 Court tickets are released daily throughout the tournament. As well as the opportunity to queue for premium tickets or general ground’s admission to watch games on courts 3 to 18 or join in all the fun on Murray Mound (the newly termed Henman Hill).

Here at The Bentley Hotel Kensington we want to make it easy for you to enjoy the very best Wimbledon experience, we offer a great selection of premium 5* rooms and suites so that you can feel like royalty when you attend one of London’s biggest events of the year. You can easily get right to the centre of the Wimbledon action from The Bentley via the Tube. Make sure to get the very best prices on our best flexible rate and other perks by booking directly here through our website. It’s a busy time of the year – so make sure to plan now so you don’t miss out! 

Enjoy Cooler Evenings In Kensington

The leaves are turning amber and gold, you’re wrapping up in your favourite cosy knit, the hot chocolates are on tap… It has to be autumn time again! Many of us are probably mourning the loss of the sunshine and exclaiming that it is too soon for the colder weather to be upon us but there are definitely a lot of perks to autumn days. Especially autumn days spent in and around Kensington.

At The Bentley Hotel we are right in the hub of Kensington life, nearby to some of London’s top attractions. So not to not leave you wondering what are some of the things to do in London during the cooler September evenings, here are a few ideas.

Fancy a stroll? Evenings lend themselves perfectly to a long walk around one of The Royal Parks. Breathe in that fresh air and relax amongst nature. Interestingly, Hyde Park is open till midnight so you can really make the most of your visit. If you’re someone who likes a bit more structure than just strolling, you can take one of the self-guided walks for that extra special experience. Make sure to check out the Frieze sculpture coming to Regent’s Park for a limited time only from the middle of September.

Is live music is more your thing? You can be serenaded in the intimate setting of the Elgar Room at the Royal Albert Hall to some ‘Late Night Jazz’ or bask in the remainder of the warmer weather with some local performances from musicians at Regent’s Park bandstand each weekend till September 19th.

Whatever you are doing in the day, there is nothing better than rewarding yourself in pure luxury with a stay at The Bentley Hotel. We are here to welcome you to holiday in style with a staycation like no other at one of the premium hotels in Kensington. We can always give you the very best price so book direct with us today.

It may be getting colder outside but it’s always warm nights with us at The Bentley. We look forward to welcoming you!

Visit A Quieter London This Summer 2021

After a very strange 18 months, have you noticed we are finally starting to get back to some sort of normal? The weather is perfect for days out, London trips and enjoying Kensington. Our London spa is very busy as everyone rewards themselves for enduring this long, and the evenings are perfect for enjoying with friends – but London is quiet.

It’s a strange sort of quiet, the shops and attractions are open, but without the influx of visitors from abroad there are no real queues. If you ever wanted to visit Central London, now is the time to book your Kensington hotel stay!

With so many of us working from home, rush hour on the tube is currently just like any other time. Yes we wear masks, but we can sit and read on our journey. The Royal Parks have plenty of picnickers, but the zoos in London aren’t crowded with visitors. As we walk on the streets of Kensington, we have time to stop and admire the buildings, the greenery and the ambience. We aren’t pushed along by a busy crowd, probably the first time in many years!

Enjoy a spa in London and make it a staycation to remember with a 5 star hotel stay. The Bentley Hotel & Spa London has a range of 64 luxuriously designed rooms, each with its own unique charm. Spend the morning exploring Kensington, visiting the exclusive shopping areas at Sloane Street and Kings Road, pausing to enjoy Kensington Palace and Gardens, then, at the end of the day, wind down in a marble bathroom, relax in a bathtub with whirlpool jets. Heaven!

For the best price at best hotels in central London, simply click the ‘Special Offers’ link in the menu. We look forward to seeing you.

What’s Happening In London In September

This September in London promises to be busy. With university students flocking back to their dorms and study halls. Businesses preparing for the holidays to come and the team at The Bentley continuing to offer some of the best luxury and relaxation in Kensington & London. With a perfect location to see London for the great city it is we like to offer you something special, to make your visit even more enjoyable.

Our Kensington location means you get quick access to the entirety of London and so we want to make sure if you are visiting with us this September you aren’t missing out on the great events happening in the capital city.

Last of the Proms

September 10th marks the last prom performance of 2016. This patriotic event will feature British anthems and a flurry of flag waving. The Last Night of the Proms brings the annual celebration of classical music to a rousing close. BBC will be broadcasting the entire event live, so if can’t get tickets you will still be able to enjoy the full event from the comfort of your room at The Bentley.

Image result for last night at the proms

Designing London

Culture can be found throughout London any time of year, however if design and art is what encapsulates your mind and you seek inspiration of composition and style. Don’t just visit London this September; experience all it has to offer in culture between the 17th and 25th 2016. With exhibits across London you will never be far from experiencing something new. Find all the landmark projects here, and even create your own maps with your own exhibit interest on the official site.

Sensational Butterflies

The Natural History Museum also has something interesting on and ever since the 24th of March they have been showcasing their spectacular butterfly collection. Inspire children to take an interest in the world around them and become wise to the true beauty of butterflies.

Take a walk through the wild butterfly garden and try your best to spot as many types as you can from everyday garden breeds to spotlight rare breeds like the Tiger Longwing you could find them all. Only a 4 minute drive away from The Bentley Hotel it’s the ideal place to visit when travelling as a family.

Don’t just visit London this September, experience all it has to offer and stay at The Bentley hotel. Also get more with our sensational suite offer, tailored to provide all of our direct booking guests something a little more luxurious.

Click here for our suite offer.

Whats On In London This August

London this August promises to be a spectacular place. Take your pick from whats on including park pillow fights, carnivals, BBC proms and open air film screenings. There is something for every individual, couple and family here in London this August 2016.

As always we are here to suggest a few key events that should definitely be part of your stay in London this August.

The Royal Family At Buckingham Palace

Now you might not be able to meet the royal family face to face, however you can see one of their residences up close and personal. Buckingham Palace opened its doors to ticket holders on the 23rd of July. Even although this incredible opportunity is running through all the way to the 2nd of October, tickets are selling out fast.

The tour allows you to personal explore the lavishly furnished state rooms, containing some of the greatest treasures and possessions of the royal family.

Items available to be seen include:

  • Paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens, Vermeer, Poussin, Canaletto and Claude
  • Sculpture by Canova and Chantrey
  • Exquisite examples of Sèvres porcelain
  • Some of the finest English and French furniture in the world

Even with this tour being available for a limited time every year, each year is special. Every year, the Palace’s summer opening features a special exhibition. This exhibition is always unique and this year it is a celebration of the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Notting Hill Carnival 2016

London’s biggest street party is not just big in London as The Notting Hill Carnival is the largest street festival in Europe and originated in 1964. Music, food and lots of amazing food is exactly what you need this summer in London.

With the perfect scheduling you can fit so much into the August bank holiday weekend. With sightseeing Friday and Saturday and the energetic carnival Sunday and Monday have the greatest experience this August in London.

The Carnival floats and bands set off at 9am on both Sunday and Monday mornings, running roughly until 7pm both days.

If you are thinking about joining London for this fabulous event or want to know more information, click here.

To find out the newest and exclusive offers for our guests at The Bentley, follow this link. Our sensational suite offer is perfect for a luxury stay in London.

 

Enjoy The London Summer With The Bentley

For many in England July is a month of hope. Hope for that perfect sunny day to explore London city without having to constantly take cover to escape the bad weather.

July is the perfect month to visit London. For one it is on average the warmest month of the year and there is so much happening across the city and across the country. In this article we want to share a few events to enjoy if you are visiting London during the month of July.

Don’t forget to check out our latest special offers from The Bentley Hotel here.

Royal Albert Hall

This beautiful and significant hall hosts a vast variety of events with something on most days and with something for everyone. We will be listing a few events that might interest you but there is more to find out about on their events calendar.

Secret History Tour

This exclusive tour will be happening on many days throughout the month, it will provide an insight into the historic happenings of the Hall. Discover the unexpected story of London’s most iconic concert venue. Each tour offers a unique experience and may include opportunities to see artists rehearsing for their evening performance.

The Proms

These spectacular performances happen only once a year and are truly astounding. Many of the proms aren’t selling tickets yet or are available through sites other than the Royal Albert Hall website. However Prom 2 featuring Mussorgsky is offering tickets now, so follow the link below and book your tickets for Prom 2 or other available Proms.

Find tickets here for Prom 2.

The Games Afoot

Become the British detective we all know and love, Sherlock Holmes. The Game’s Afoot, an immersive detective experience where 40 people in a room are tasked with solving two unique cases. Uncover clues, use the power of deduction, interview suspect and solve the mystery.

This ingenious adventure can be found at the Madame Tussauds, a wax figurine exhibition known around the world. Using traditional practices artists sculpt lifelike models of celebrities, historical figures and famous characters.

Find out more about this experience here.

There is a vast variety of activities you can enjoy this july in London, however make the most of your visit and treat yourself to a little bit of luxury this summer by staying at The Bentley. Find our latest summer offers here.

Enjoy June With The Bentley Hotel

June. The month where summer officially starts but we all wish it was a little sunnier. The month where Wimbledon delights the public and we celebrate our fathers for all they have done for us.

Make the most of London in the month of June with some great suggestions from The Bentley.

At The Bentley we want to make sure you are making the most of your time in London by providing you with luxurious accommodation, activities and events to attend during your visit.

Father’s Day 2016

With Father’s Day fast approaching it’s time to plan an amazing day out in London visiting the sites, Museums and enjoying a delectable lunch. Why just make plans for a day when you could truly show your appreciation and make it a weekend away in London. Here you can find the best assortment of pubs, theatres, restaurants and so much more. No matter your fathers taste there is something for you to do together. Dine in luxury at The Bentley where we offer private dining and special offers to make the most of your stay. Find our menus here.

Serve up Summer At Wimbledon 2016

Did you know the first Wimbledon championship took place in 1877? This makes it the oldest tennis tournament in the world. It’s enriched with tradition as well as modern influences. For instance Wimbledon once used white balls, however when the events started to be film they changed the ball to yellow to allow it to be seen more easily on television.

Going to Wimbledon is a must do this June. The atmosphere is buzzing and welcoming for anyone from anywhere. You don’t even need a ticket to go. Henman Hill (Murray Mound) offers a huge screen for your watching pleasure. Just grab a picnic blanket and some Pim’s and enjoy the Wimbledon experience without splashing out. Of course nothing compares to being on Centre Court seeing first hand athletes competing for the beautiful Wimbledon trophy. Just be sure to book tickets soon, because they are in high demand.

There is so much  London has to offer this June so why not book a stay at The Bentley. Find out about our latest offers here, to get the most of your visit.