The Gore Hotel

Tradition with a twist in a smart London townhouse

Quintessentially British and opulently Victorian, The Gore Hotel sits plum in the midst of Kensington’s museum quarter, a whisker from Hyde Park. This plush boutique hotel scores on both style and seclusion.

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Know It All

Hit the Spot
At the heart of classiest Kensington, steps from Hyde Park.

Come here for...
• A brilliant location for seeing London's best. • Victorian Gothic with a contemporary twist. • Creative cocktails at iconic Bar 190. • Concert-going at the Royal Albert Hall.

Amenities
There's an inviting lounge with complimentary all-day tea, coffee and soft drinks, Wifi can be provided at a charge of GBP20.   Bistro One Ninety serves meals and bites till late evening, while Bar 190 serves cocktails and tapas till the small hours.

Good to know
Minimalists and modernists should probably head elsewhere.

Bedtime...

Bedrooms
50 rooms and suites

Special features
All rooms are individually styled. They share deep, vibrant wall colours, travertine tiled bathrooms, eclectic furnishings and Frette bedlinen. Vintage pieces are matched with modern essentials: all come with aircon, a minibar and safe, flatscreen TV, DVD player and wi-fi, robes, slippers and Penhaligon toiletries. Top-floor rooms have smaller windows but a nicely tucked-away feel.

Pillow talk
Rooms worth splashing out on include the individually styled Luxury doubles, with their oak four poster or half-tester beds, antiques and ornate mirrors, chandeliers and rich fabrics.

To go one better, take one of the Deluxe rooms – all stylishly and extravagantly different. Miss Ada has a wood-panelled bathroom with sunken bath, while Judy Garland has a carved, gilt wood bed canopied in rich velvet. Dame Nellie brims with antique gold, with a bed set into a tented recess, faux leopardskin armchairs and a double bath lined with mirrors and flanked by statues of Venus.

For a totally one-off experience, you could splash out on the amazing Tudor room, complete with oak-beamed ceiling and carved four poster bed, 15th century minstrels gallery, stone fireplace and candelabras. Wi-fi and an iPod dock ensure you won't lose touch with the present.

Eat & Drink

Dining In
Bistro One Ninety stays open all day till late (last orders 11.30). It's a popular spot for lunch and pre-theatre dining, and a favourite with locals. Signature dishes include scallop risotto, duo of lamb and great burgers, while mouthwatering afters include banoffee wontons. For more casual eats, try a sharing platter in the bar: tapas-style bites include sautéed beans with crispy bacon and shallots, grilled spicy Chorizo with red wine and feta cheese with red onion marmalade.

With its leather sofas and bar stools, snug corners, late license and eclectic tunes, Bar 190 is the place for pre- and post-show drinks. Voted one of London’s best hotel bars by Square Meal, it has a tempting list of signature cocktails shaken by barman Juliano and his team.

Breakfast
Breakfast goes on here till a very civilized 11.30am. There’s a selection of fresh fruit and berries, baskets of croissants, granola cookies and hot dishes ranging from a full English to fresh blueberry waffles and bagels with smoked salmon and cream cheese.

Room service
Available 24 hours.

Activities

See & Do

Jog, walk or pedal one of London mayor Boris Johnson’s blue bikes around Hyde Park’s grassy trails. Picnic on the banks of the Serpentine, take to the water in a rowing boat or sip a Pimm's at one of the outdoor bars. There’s a lido here if you fancy a dip, and an avant-garde art gallery where you can browse installation pieces. Kensington Palace (tea in the Orangery is a must) also awaits exploration.

You’re just steps from the Royal Albert Hall – perfect for taking in one a big show or of the Proms summer concerts. Harrod's is ten minutes away for five-star retail therapy.

Spa
In-room treatments can be arranged through Reception with life coach Jacqueline Harvey.

Diary Dates
May
Drool over the extravagant show gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show.

June
Artsy Chelsea comes into its own with gigs, exhibitions and open days for the Chelsea Festival.