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4.5
#68 of 1,148 hotels in London
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
With some of the most stylish hotel rooms in Kensington, The Ampersand is a privately-owned luxury London hotel that combines contemporary excellence in design, service, food and technology in an 1888 building at the capital's heart. We have been inspired by those great Victorian values of discovery and wonder - and given them a modern, whimsical twist. The result: a cosmopolitan, 111-room luxury boutique hotel, bar, restaurant and drawing rooms, delivering 21st-century warmth, humour and total comfort.The Ampersand Hotel is situated just a minute's walk from South Kensington tube station, and is well connected to Heathrow airport.
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
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The Ampersand Hotel garners acclaim for its inviting and stylish ambiance, with guests often mentioning the cozy decor and amenities like heated bathroom floors. Its cleanliness is impeccable, with travelers highlighting the pristine conditions and diligent housekeeping. While rooms are praised for their equipment and comfort, some guests suggest they could be more spacious.
The staff's exceptional service receives frequent commendations for their attentiveness and efficiency. Opinions on value vary, with some questioning the pricing. Nevertheless, the hotel's prime location near key attractions and transport is universally lauded.
Location
Convenient
Atmosphere
Welcoming
Rooms
Comfortable
Value
Expensive
Cleanliness
Spotless
Service
Attentive
Amenities
Outstanding
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For the first time we went on a city trip for our summer holiday. We are a family of three (1 child, 8 years old) and we booked a stay at The Ampersand Hotel in the Deluxe Studio room.
Minor things: - Wooden floors can be noisy - Tube runs under the hotel which is also a bit noisy although it didn't affect our sleep
Positives: - Really great hotel with amazing afternoon tea options - Location. Practically next to Natural History & Science Museum (also Victoria & Albert is nearby) and tube station South-Kensington (District, Circle & Piccadilly lines). - Children friendly
Overall we had an amazing vacation, in part due to the hotel & its staff.
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Date of stay: July 2024
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niels Frostrup, Owner at The Ampersand Hotel
Responded 5 Aug 2024
Thank you for choosing the Ampersand hotel for your family vacations to London. We are pleased to learn that you had a great time and found the hotel well located here in South Kensington. Your kind feedback has been share with all the team along with our thanks for looking after you so well. Hopefully we have the pleasure of welcoming you back next time you visit London. Warm regards, Niels & the Ampersand Team
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The staff are friendly and always ready with a smile. The staircase is beautuful with a stunning light feature and the rooms are spotlessly clean and comfortable and I thought the Delux room was big by London standards. They are generous and leave a good selection of complimetary soft drinks, toiletries, teas and coffees and the robes and slippers are a nice touch. My daughter loved the rubber ducks for the bath. There is a heated floor in the bathroom, good selection of television channels and a refrigerator. We dined in the Apero and the food is delicious and the taster menu for two is a good value choice. We loved the childrens menu, the portions are quite generous and also enjoyed having the private table in the 'cubby'.
There were only a few issues. We were in 219 and the floor above was creaky so when the people above us were in it was very loud and actually woke us up as they were coming in late. The first night we had had a long journey and wanted something to eat. We found the room service a bit confusing as you access the menu on the television which I suppose makes sense with Covid as it reduces books and menus having to be touched. We were not sure how to order anything as this was not clear on the hotel information. The menu also was quite limited and although it worked well when we were dining at the Apero the second night, some more simpler options would be well received for those wanting a more relaxed meal in their room or a lighter option. There was also no childrens room service menu on the television menu. I rang down and someone said they would bring one to our room but it never arrived so we opted for a deliveroo after my daughters bedtime was fast approaching! My husband popped to the bar for some drinks as we could not ring through to room service and still got charged the service charge which we felt was a bit strange. When we had spoken to reception prior to booking into Apero they confirmed that they were still doing a 50% off the food bill on the night of our booking and this was also stated on the website. However when we checked with the waiter he said that offer had stopped now. He did say he would honour it (we heard another family had been told the same thing) but it was somewhat embaraassing for us. The sharing menu I think from seeing afterwards on the hotel menu and website was supposed to finish with an affogato which we never received but the food was so tasty and more than enough that it plicated us on that score.
I would say this is an overall great hotel in a perfect location but maybe just plan your meals a little if you are travelling with children.
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Date of stay: November 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niels Frostrup, Other at The Ampersand Hotel
Responded 3 Nov 2020
Thank yo for the kind review and lovely comments about your stay. It's a pleasure to read how you enjoyed the hotel and our amenities, I would however like to take this opportunity to extend our sincerest apologies for the issue you experienced with the meals. Your comments have been shared with our Restaurant manager for review. We look forward to welcoming you back on another occasion. Warm regards, Niels & the Ampersand Team
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We stay in London regularly and often feel the prices we pay don’t reflect the level of comfort/service. Not this time! This hotel is really beautiful and the service is wonderful. To be fair, we did have an upgrade (much appreciated) so it’s fair to say we paid less than we should have...but I suspect the experience would have been as good anywhere in the hotel.
The room was really lovely, great toiletries, coffee, soft drinks, magazines, books, technology, decor - and immaculate.
The turn down service was so good. Our room was not only refreshed, but toiletries, coffee, water etc were all replaced. Bin emptied, toilet paper checked, everything you could ask for!
We didn’t use the restaurant or the drawing room (but we will next time!) but they looked lovely.
We had a great sleep and stepped outside to find a handy taxi rank.
Can’t fault it. Thank you Ampersand, you are our new london hotel of choice. And we’re fussy!
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from AssistantF1, Front Office Manager at The Ampersand Hotel
Responded 29 Feb 2020
Dear Feebc, Thank you for this amazing review. We will share it with the team! We look forward to welcoming you back. Kind Regards, Andrea
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My family and I stay at the Ampersand every time we’re in London. This would have been our third stay with our four-year-old daughter (and the fourth for my Husband and myself). The hotel is absolutely fantastic - from its location across South Kensington station, to the cleanliness and decor of the rooms and common areas and most importantly, the unrivalled quality of service we receive every single time. The Ampersand has especially made our daughter’s stays so memorable, and she now considers it her “London Home”. Thank you especially to the front door staff (I’m so sorry but I’ve forgotten the name of the two lovely gentlemen who were at the doors on Thursday/ Friday and at the weekend past!). But they were just so friendly to my daughter, always taking the time to speak to her and ask her about her day, and spoiling her with the rubber duck and the car! We truly can’t fault the Ampersand, and we look forward to returning once again.
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Date of stay: February 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NielsFrostrup, Assistant General Manager at The Ampersand Hotel
Responded 17 Feb 2020
Thank you for the kind review and recommendation. It's always a pleasure to have you and the family with us and I'm happy to hear that you were looked after so well again. We all look forward welcoming you back next time you visit South Kensington. Warm regards, Niels & the Ampersand Team
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My husband and I stayed here just a couple of weeks ago, the hotel is very easily reached from South Kensington tube, literally across the road, and less then 10 minutes from both the natural history museum and V&A.
The hotel itself was spotless throughout, every member of staff greeted us with a smile and hello. We especially liked their text service, it was a great way of keeping in touch. Our room was surprisingly spacious by London standards and the free mini bar was a bonus, even more so that it was restocked each day with water soft drinks and juices . A beautiful comfy bed with crisp linens as well. The bathroom was a little compact compared to the room butwas more then enough, the rain showner was lovely
Taking advantage of the hotels 50% food in Apperol we had a fabulous dinner in the restaurant in fact one of the best steak dinners we have had for some while, along with some very tasty cocktails.
The hotel had a very quite vibe even when their drawing room had several patrons enjoying high tea, socially distant of course.
Neither my husband or my self could find any major fault, a truly surprising gem.
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niels Frostrup, Other at The Ampersand Hotel
Responded 3 Oct 2020
Dear Mrs James, Thank you for the kind review and comments about your stay. We're delighted that you enjoyed the hotel and the Apero restaurant. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back in South Kensington very soon. Warm regards, Niels & the Ampersand Team
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A last minute trip booked to London led us to The Ampersand Hotel in South Kensington and when we arrived we were pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of the hotel staff and the aesthetic of the hotel- everywhere you look, you see something interesting and colourful. The location is perfect: with our five year old we were able to walk to the museums (the Natural Science Museum was our favourite at 5 minutes away) and for our daily meals we were spoiled for choice in South Kensington with a great variety of local restaurants around. The hotel room itself was cosy and the bed was one of the most comfortable we’ve slept in. Service was top notch: our son particularly enjoyed the kids’ afternoon tea served on a rocket ship cake tray. I made use of the gym which was a great plus staying at this hotel. We will definitely return to The Ampersand for our next short trip to London.
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Date of stay: February 2020Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from AssistantF1, Front Office Manager at The Ampersand Hotel
Responded 10 Mar 2020
Dear KaroBxls, We are delighted to read this lovely feedback. It has been a pleasure to take car of you and your family whilst this trip in London. We look forward to welcoming you back. Kind regards, Andrea
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We stayed for 3 nights in 2 connecting rooms. The rooms are separate but share a little hallway with a single external door. When requesting connecting rooms it would be good to provide door stops as standard so you can hear the kids.
We had a science afternoon tea, which was incredibly well thought through in terms of detail and the food was delicious.
The hotel and the rooms are spotless and well maintained - so many 4 or 5 star hotels can be a little shabby around the edges, but this is perfect. Bathrooms are luxurious, great towels and lovely beds and bedding.
The service at the hotel is phenomenal- when booking the phone was answered straight away by someone who could actually help and book rooms for us. Check in was smooth, check out was easy (and not until midday!). There was always someone on desk and they were always helpful.
Location is great - minutes from the museums, lots of restaurants and bakeries and right next to south Ken tube station.
Highly recommend, would definitely stay again
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Date of stay: August 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niels Frostrup, Other at The Ampersand Hotel
Responded 1 Sept 2021
Dear Ms Burton, Thank you for the kind and details review of your stay with us. We are delighted that you had such a great stay and found that the hotel lived up to your expectations. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another Ampersand experience in the near future. Warm regards, Niels & the Ampersand Team
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A modern,clean, comfortable,quiet and convenient hotel that has great food as well. It is not the cheapest of hotels, but the standard of service and its ideal location in South Kensington literally across the road from the tube station make it hard to beat in terms of access to all London has to offer. I highly recommend it, particularly for solo travellers.
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Date of stay: February 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from NielsFrostrup, Assistant General Manager at The Ampersand Hotel
Responded 19 Feb 2020
Dear Sue, Thank you for the kind review and recommendation. We're pleased to read that you had a great time with us and found South Kensington well located for your time in London. Hopefully we have the pleasure of welcoming you back for another Ampersand experience next time you visit London. Warm regards, Niels & the Ampersand Team
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We chose this Hotel to extend our stay in London by 2 nights. The welcome on arrival was friendly and I had requested a Studio with a bath in the window which they were able to accommodate. The room was beautiful and as we wanted to visit the V&A museum it was a perfect choice as it’s within very easy walking distance. There is also a great choice of restaurants around the area. The bar and restaurant at the Hotel itself is lovely and although we only had a drink there my husband commented that the steak looked amazing! So that’s something to try next time.... Thank you so much staff at Ampersand Hotel.
PS, love the little ducks! They have both come home with us ;)
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niels Frostrup, Other at The Ampersand Hotel
Responded 26 Sept 2020
Dear Laurella, Thank you for taking time out to review your stay with us. We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the hotel and was look after so well by the team. We all hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you back again for another Ampersand experience. Warm regards, Niels & the Ampersand Team
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This dog friendly hotel did not disappoint. A warm welcome and easy check-in paved the way for a delightful stay. The room was spacious and extremely comfortable and our dog was most pleased by the jar of biscuits left in the room, especially for him! We will be return again, this month, for our children to enjoy this wonderful place.
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Date of stay: August 2021Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Niels Frostrup, Other at The Ampersand Hotel
Responded 1 Sept 2021
Dear Johanna, It's a pleasure to hear that you and your 4 legged family member enjoy the Ampersand, we look forward welcoming the rest of the family next time you visit South Kensington. Warm regards, Niels & the Ampersand hotel
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Thank you for your question - we are a family friendly hotel and so are our restaurants.
But we welcome guests without children for example on buisness travel too - every day.
We look forward to welcoming you.
I echo emailing the hotel. They are very responsive and accommodating. We had a traditional sofa in our room. There are diff bathroom setups so just ask. We loved this hotel and it’s an awesome location!
London, United Kingdom5 contributions3 helpful votes
We were in the bar till midnight- but why not contact them directly with your enquire and maybe book a table so they can definitely accommodate you - it’s quite small.
There are more places to choose from in the London area.
PRICE RANGE
£202 - £331 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United KingdomEnglandLondonSouth Kensington
NUMBER OF ROOMS
111
Prices are provided by our partners, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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