The Ampersand Hotel – Small Luxury Hotels of the World

The Ampersand Hotel – Small Luxury Hotels of the World Overview

First Impressions

Walking up to The Ampersand Hotel – Small Luxury Hotels of the World on Harrington Road, you immediately sense this isn’t your typical London hotel. The Victorian facade has this understated elegance that whispers rather than shouts — which honestly feels refreshing in a city where so many places try too hard. I mean, you’re right in South Kensington here, literally steps from the Natural History Museum, and the building itself feels like it belongs to the neighborhood’s scientific heritage. The five-star designation makes perfect sense once you step inside and see how they’ve transformed this 19th-century townhouse into something genuinely special.

The Neighborhood Advantage

You know what’s brilliant about this location? You’re on this quiet residential street, but Exhibition Road is basically around the corner. I’ve stayed here twice now, and both times I was amazed at how you can walk to the V&A in about three minutes, yet come back to complete tranquility. The South Ken tube station is maybe a five-minute stroll — and that’s if you’re walking slowly and window shopping along the way. Couples absolutely love it here (apparently they rate the location 9.7, which honestly doesn’t surprise me), because you’ve got Hyde Park for morning runs and some of London’s best museums when the weather turns.

The Room Experience

The room I stayed in was this perfect blend of contemporary luxury and quirky British charm. They’ve done something really clever with the design — each floor has a different theme inspired by the nearby museums, so you might get botany-inspired wallpaper or astronomy motifs. The beds are genuinely exceptional (apparently other guests agree, because the sleep quality gets rave reviews), and the bathrooms have this lovely marble work that feels indulgent without being over the top. What I really appreciated was the attention to lighting — you actually have proper reading lights and ambient options, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how many luxury hotels mess this up.

Dining and Daily Rhythms

The restaurant downstairs, Apero, has become one of my go-to spots even when I’m not staying at the hotel. The breakfast spread is quite impressive — they do continental, vegan options, and a proper buffet setup that doesn’t feel chaotic. I particularly love their approach to coffee; they take it seriously without being pretentious about it. The afternoon tea service is worth experiencing at least once, especially if you’re trying to impress someone who appreciates the finer details of British hospitality traditions.

Why Guests Love It

There’s something about this place that keeps people coming back — apparently they have more repeat guests than most other properties, which tells you everything really. I think it’s because they’ve managed to create this atmosphere that feels both luxurious and genuinely welcoming. The staff remember your preferences without making a big show of it, and the whole experience feels curated rather than corporate. Plus, when you’re paying five-star prices in central London, you want to feel like you’re somewhere truly distinctive — and The Ampersand delivers that in spades.

The concierge service in Central London arranges royal gallery openings, chauffeured shopping sprees, and private Thames charters.

Facilities