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Part of the flamboyant Firmdale chain, Number Sixteen is more low-key than its sister properties. On a quiet street in well-heeled South Kensington, the discreet white facade of its Victorian terraced house belies the colourful interior, decked out with flourishes of print and texture fabrics.
The hotel’s public spaces are a big plus: two cosy drawing rooms, an honesty bar and a conservatory overlooking an idyllic, tree-shaded secret garden. The latter is a pretty setting for cream tea on a summer afternoon.
Special services for families include babysitting, highchairs, children’s books and DVDs – they’ll even provide milk and cookies.
This rarefied location in leafy South Kensington means you’re surrounded by chic shops and flagship museums – the local French community frequent the cute bistros on Bute Street, while tourists flock to the Victoria & Albert, Science and Natural History museums, as well as Hyde Park, nearby.
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Bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.4 miles]
Dinosaur skeletons, blue whales and chunks of meteorite set in a Romanesque, cathedral-like building – the world’s biggest and best such museum is a treasure trove of natural history.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 miles]
Known nationwide as ‘the V&A’, this museum focuses on the decorative arts, from fashion to furniture and interior design.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.5 miles]
The world’s largest science museum, with 40 galleries celebrating three centuries of major scientific advances.
Best for ages: 4+ | Free
London, United Kingdom (UK)[0.9 miles]
London’s premier venue, this iconic circular Victorian concert hall hosts everything from circus acts to classical music, with perfectly-crafted acoustics.
Best for ages: 13+ | £15 | 1+ hours
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest, closest first
London, United Kingdom (UK)[3.1 miles]
An 18th-century mansion of masterpieces sitting pretty on Piccadilly, home to one of Britain’s oldest collections of fine art and regular blockbuster exhibitions.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
London, United Kingdom (UK)[3.6 miles]
Meet the queen, get a selfie with Stormzy and take the controls of the Millennium Falcon with Chewbacca at the world’s leading and original wax museum.
Best for ages: 8+ | £30
London, United Kingdom (UK)[4 miles]
London’s impressive aquarium, set on the South Bank, home to hundreds of species of fish and a selection of sharks.
Best for ages: Any | £27
London, United Kingdom (UK)[4 miles]
Sky-scraping observation wheel taking passengers on a stately ride, 450 feet above the Thames.
Best for ages: Any | £31 | 30 minutes
Destination guides including or relevant to this place to stay
Greater London, United Kingdom (UK)
World-class culture, fashion, music, food and history – and a mind-boggling array of bucket list experiences – packed into one extraordinary, incomparable destination.
