The Pelham Hotel

I've seen the hotel building during my previous stays in London, is located just in front of South Kensington tube station and at walking distance to V&A Museum, Natural History Museum and Knightsbridge department stores. We've booked the Double room and we've made a special request for the room on the high floor. The room was much smaller that 20 sqm from the room description on the hotel website, the bedroom was probably not bigger then 10 sqm and it was the smallest I've ever seen in London and the bathroom and wardrobe were almost non-existent . And our request of the high floor was completely ignored. We asked the reception to move us in a larger room, they said it was possibile with a supplement of 30 pounds per night. Unfortunately this room was not available to visit, they offered to move us and our luggage to the new room without showing it before and we didn't accept.

Also I've sent a couple of e-mails to the hotel before our arrival asking for the rates of some special adds (like wine o cake in our room at arrival as it was my husband's birthday) but also those mails were never answered.

So apart from the feeling that they do not care at all about you and your needs, the hotel is clean, good located, the breakfast is delicious. But unfortunately that is not enough for coming back again.

Our room looked straight out on the dome of the V&A and across wonderfully active S. Kensington Square (this tube stop gets you any and everywhere in London). It seems that French is more the native language in this unpretentious neighborhood because of the Lycee just around the corner. If you want pretentiousness, not to worry, it starts about two blocks down the street on Sloane Street.

The front desk of this smallish, nicely appointed hotel is highly professional and is eager to meet every need from the moment you arrive. Fellow guests seem to be regulars or in-the-know (no capri bluejeans and Yankee hat types). Good mix of business professionals.

The Pelham's real gem stands at the concierge desk - Jamie - who is a pleasant Kiwi and has the town wired. Last minute reservations at The Ivy, willing to suggest as a matter of practicality the tube (vs. taxi) to certain locations and saved us a small fortune on EuroStar tickets to Paris.

If you need yoga whilst visiting, stay away from the LA Fitness down the street and get over to The Life Center in Notting Hill.

What I liked were the beautiful rooms with their traditional style and the very friendly people there. It's easy to get to and from the hotel with an underground station (South Kensington), bus and taxi stops next to it. There are also a lot of restaurants and shops in a walking distance.

Due to the old windows there's sometimes some noise from the outside, but for me it was okay.