Destination Guide | London 004

a travel guide by OUTLIERS for The Meliá Collection

seen by Cecilia Renard

Before spending time in Kensington and Chelsea, I had always imagined these neighborhoods as exclusive, residential areas, somewhat removed from the typical London experience. But as I wandered their elegant streets for the first time, I quickly realized there’s much more to discover here than first meets the eye.

Kensington and Chelsea are defined by a unique blend of history, culture, and everyday life. Once rural villages on the outskirts of London, these areas have evolved over the centuries into some of the city’s most exclusive and prestigious neighborhoods, known for their sophistication and global appeal.

Much of the character of these neighbourhoods was shaped during the Victorian era, when urban growth and a vibrant arts scene transformed the area. Chelsea became a hub for artists and the Arts & Crafts movement led by William Morris, whose influence is still visible in local architecture and design. Meanwhile, Kensington developed as an aristocratic neighborhood, with grand Victorian homes and major cultural institutions like the Victoria & Albert Museum and Royal Albert Hall. Today, both areas retain their artistic legacy and refined character through their buildings, green spaces, and appreciation for craftsmanship.

What’s surprising about Kensington and Chelsea is how they manage to feel both majestic and downto-earth. Beyond the cultural landmarks and elegant façades, there’s a quiet, village-like rhythm: leafy streets, hidden mews, independent shops, and local restaurants that feel genuinely local.

More than just a list of places, this guide invites you to get a feel for the west London neighbourhoods beyond the surface, to take your time, follow your curiosity, and experience the blend of elegance and everyday life that gives these areas their unique charm.

HO TEL

Nestled in the heart of the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Meliá London Kensington is perfect for leisure travellers. Just a short walk from iconic attractions such as Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Royal Albert Hall or Harrods department store, the hotel also benefits from excellent transport links, so the rest of London is always within easy reach.

From the moment you arrive, the warm, welcoming staff make you feel right at home. Attentive and multilingual, they’re on hand to assist with everything from you check-in to bespoke local recommendations.

Don’t miss a visit to the hotel’s own florist, Pulbrook & Gould Flowers London. As soon as you step inside, the scent of fresh blooms envelops you, adding a delightfully fragrant welcome to your stay.

Inspired by William Morris’s historic wallpaper motifs, the hotel’s interiors blend Victorian grandeur with a breath of Spanish freshness. A serene palette of ochre, blue, white and gold flows through every room and suite, while elegant marble furniture and contemporary touches create an atmosphere where art and comfort meet.

At the heart of the hotel is Hispania Kensington, where décor by Lorenzo Castillo and chef Marcos Morán’s menu celebrate honest, flavorful Spanish cuisine made from the finest ingredients. Share plates of jamón and cheese, savor crispy croquetas and creamy ensaladilla, or indulge in seasonal specialties. Complement your meal with a selection from the curated wine list, or unwind with a coffee in the relaxed dining room. Here, every gathering revolves around great food and genuine warmth.

9:30h.

Arrival at Melià London

Kensington.

10:00h. Coffee at Hjem. There are two locations, we went to the one at Gloucester Rd. Walking around streets and mews of Kensington all the way to Chelsea.

We stopped by St Luke’s Gardens & Church, a really charming little corner.

13:25h. We came across Toast store, a brand Cecilia loves

14:00h.

Lunch at Phat Phuc Noodle Bar. Asian restaurant with a very short menu consisting of noodle or rice dishes in various formats. There’s always a line because it’s totally worth it and the prices are great. We tried the rice noodle laksa and loved it. Total comfort food.

14:55h. Coffee at Amar Café before we kept exploring. On our way to Duke of York Square & King’s Road, we encounter this lovely street.

15:45h.

We arrived at Duke of York Square.

Gallery: one of the city’s most important contemporary art galleries showcasing the work of emerging artists.

Soho Home: Soho House’s first interiors studio, located in a former 19th-century chapel. A space to explore their full collection, from furniture to homeware, with a café inside to take a break.

Aesop: Skincare brand known for its minimalist, high-quality products. Always a favorite in every city because each store is unique. This one was designed by Norwegian architect Snøhetta.

17:15h. Slone Square. Tea at Colbert.

Pavilion Road: A charming pedestrian street, filled with beautiful shops, cafés, and restaurants. We particularly loved discovering David Mellor, Papersmith and The Conran Shop, a curated selection of contemporary furniture, lighting, and home accessories.

18:05h. From Sloane Square, we walked down to Albert Bridge, enjoying the fresh air by the river and stopping for a drink at Café Pier.

20:00h.

After resting a bit at the hotel, we headed to The Surprise for the experience of a classic English pub. We loved the atmosphere! There was a vibrant energy, with people of all ages chatting, laughing, and making the most of their evening.

21:20h

To wrap up our first day, we had dinner at Bottarga: a popular Greek restaurant in the neighborhood that everyone’s talking about. It totally lived up to the hype, with original sharing plates we really enjoyed, like the spicy feta and the saganaki tapioca bites

9:10h.

A lazy morning breakfast in bed.

10:20h.

Only a short walk, about 10 minutes from the hotel, is the renowed Victoria and Albert Museum. Founded in the mid-19th century, it was named after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who were great patrons of the arts during a time when the area was flourishing.

I love the museum’s beautiful interior garden, a peaceful spot to take a break. Upstairs you’ll find the National Art Library, a stunning space worth visiting to admire the atmosphere.

11:55h

Right next to the V&A is the Natural History Museum, one of those places where you could easily spend a whole day, if not a week, exploring everything properly. Famous for the incredible blue whale skeleton hanging in the main hall, which replaced the iconic dinosaur in 2017, it’s a museum perfect for all ages, where you can learn about and be amazed by the wonders of the planet we live on.

13:45h.

We arrived in Notting Hill by taxi for lunch at Canteen, an Italian restaurant we’d been really looking forward to. It’s set on a lovely corner of the neighborhood, with a bright and welcoming space. The food was delicious. We loved the baked ricotta with courgette and peas, the tomato pasta, and the roasted peppers. Highly recommended!

15:10h. Coffee at Layla Bakery right after lunch, just a few steps from the restaurant.

15:50h. We returned to the hotel to rest for a while, but first we stopped by the hotel’s flower shop, Pulbrook & Gould Floral Showroom, where they were preparing a bouquet. Top right: in Cecilia’s room, we were looking at one of the many magazines they had at the hotel. I loved this particular one, it’s called Blumenhaus.

18:15h.

After resting a bit we went to Hispania for a pre-dinner glass of wine.

20:20h.

Dinner at Kutir, an elegant Indian restaurant in Chelsea set within a beautifully restored Victorian townhouse.

9:25h.

That day, the weather was absolutely beautiful, so we decided to head to Kensington Gardens to enjoy a bit of greenery. On the way, we wandered through some of the mews near the hotel, which looked like something out of a storybook. We especially loved this one: Kynance Mews.

9:45h.

We made a quick stop for coffee at Hjem on Launceston Place.

10:05h.

We arrived at Kensington Gardens and took a walk all the way to Kensington Palace, visited the Diana Memorial, and then strolled around the Round Pond, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere and watching the swans and ducks on the water. Afterwards, we lay down on the grass for a while to soak up the amazing weather.

11:30h.

We headed to the Serpentine Galleries, first to the South and then to the North. It’s incredible that in such a beautiful park you can find these galleries. Each one has very different exhibitions, and the spaces themselves have their own unique character. In the South Gallery, we especially loved the bookshop, which has an excellent selection of magazines and books. And in the North Gallery, we discovered Arpita Singh, an 87-year-old Indian artist who was exhibiting her work outside of her country for the first time.

14:15h.

We had a smoked salmon bagel for lunch at Kuro Bagels. Since the weather was beautiful, we sat on the bench outside to enjoy it, and afterwards we got a coffee at their next-door spot, Kuro Coffee. 13:10h.

There isn’t a better way to wander around a park than by bike. We hopped on one of those bikes everyone was riding, explored the gardens for a while, and then rode to Notting Hill to grab a bagel.

16:00h.

We wandered back to the hotel, exploring the neighborhood’s charming spots as we went. A place we really liked was 8 Holland Street store and Sambourne House.

20:10h.

Early dinner at Hispania enjoying the best of Spanish food away from home.

11:30h.

Brunch at Colbert, a lively French-style café on Sloane Square in Chelsea, where we tried the traditional English breakfast.

12:50h. One of our absolute favorite areas was Pimlico Road: a street lined with interior design and furniture shops. The stores we liked the most were: Rose Uniacke (with three locations), Modernity, Plain English Design, and Pinch. Each one was better than the last, both in terms of the shop itself and the products they offered.

16:00h

We visited the Design Museum, London’s leading museum dedicated to contemporary design in all its forms: product, graphic, fashion, and architecture. Entry to the permanent collection is free, and there are always interesting temporary exhibitions (paid entry).

17:30h.

Walk through Holland Park, which is very different from Kensington Gardens or Hyde Park. It’s much greener, more secluded, and feels very local. We loved exploring the quiet, leafy streets around the park. The area is full of elegant old houses from the 19th century, built for wealthy Londoners. It’s a beautiful and authentic part of the city that we really enjoyed discovering.

20:00h. Dinner at The Pig’s Ear, another classic Chelsea pub, was a great experience with a lively and authentic atmosphere. We had a delicious cauliflower pie-comforting and full of flavor. A perfect spot to enjoy good food in a true local setting.

SAVE THE LIST IN YOUR GOOGLE MAPS