54 | EXPLORING KENSINGTON
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SPOTLIGHT ON SOUTH KENSINGTON
Erin English explores the Royal Borough of Kensington and the Radisson Blu South Kensington on her most recent trip to London...
BY ERIN ENGLISH
erin@nitravelnews.com
DEAREST gentle reader…or is that too on the nose? Walking through Kensington, one might confuse all-white stucco façades of the Georgian architecture as taking a promenade through regency London. Following off of the latest season of Netflix’s hit series ‘Bridgerton,’ my mind was exactly there and the borough of Kensington certainly lives up to the fantasy.
An avid lover of the London city break, each time I travel to the city, I love to discover a brand new area. This time, Kensington was on the cards. Landing into Gatwick airport, I took the express train between London Gatwick Airport and London Victoria Station, before hopping aboard the westbound District line and alighting at Gloucester Road station.
Staying at The Radisson Blu South
Kensington, the journey from the tube station to the property was very convenient. Stepping out of the station, it was simply a hop skip and a jump to our hotel, with the property diagonally across from the entrance of Glocester Road Station. An ideal scenario for anyone who is familiar with the London Tube network, or worried about navigating the vast TFL underground.
Approaching the Radisson Blu South
Kensington property, the hotel perfectly slots into the aesthetic of the borough. The building is adorned in regency architecture, with white stucco exteriors and greek columns surrounding the entrance of the hotel. Marble floors welcome you into the reception area, with a small lounge area connecting to the property’s restaurant on your left and the reception area to the right. Travelling on an early morning flight between Belfast International Airport and Gatwick, we arrived at the hotel just after 11am, with the expectation of leaving our bags with the reception team ahead of the 3pm check in. However, upon arrival, we were greeted by Tanvi, a friendly member of the Radisson Blu reception team, who checked and informed us that our room for the night was available for check-in. Music to our ears! Throughout the check-in process, Tanvi was informative about the area, detailing how the National History Museum was only a short stroll away, and offering recommendations of tourist spots in the area. The check-in process was seamless and
April/May 2026
smooth, with Tanvi explaining the hotel’s facilities, including the times for breakfast and the fitness facilities which are open for 24 hours.
Room keys in hand, it was time to venture
to the third floor to our room. Staying as a group of three, we opted for a family room which comes equipped with a double bed and a sofa bed. A four-star townhouse, the Radisson Blu South Kensington property consists of 215 bedrooms,
ranging
from a single room to a family room, and a junior suite. When staying in a family room, the primary concern when checking into any hotel is space, with tight confinements able to make or break a trip when it comes to staying abroad. Thankfully, stepping into our room what struck me most was the space available, especially for a hotel room in London. 1 king bed is positioned in the centre of the room, with a sofa bed positioned beside. Despite this, there is plenty of floor space surrounding the two beds and plenty of closet space where you are able to keep clothes, and selected luggage. A long desk is positioned opposite the king sized bed, with writing facilities and also acting as an excellent getting-ready or work station, perfect for both business and leisure!
The hotel’s interior prioritises comfort, with plush bedding and pillows that I wish I could have taken home with me! The room is adjourned with neutral furnishings, including light greens, browns and beiges with warm ambient lighting, which once the sun sets and the lights turn on - the perfect ambiance for slumber is created. After dropping off our luggage, and a
quick freshen up, it was time to explore the surrounding area. As aforementioned, the Gloucester Road tube station is only a two minute walk from the property, and the adjoining street is also home to an array of coffee shops, dining options, and convenience stores.
Plenty of tourist hotspots surround the
hotel also, including the Natural History Museum, the Royal Albert Hall, Notting Hill, Harrods, Kensington Palace, and Hyde Park. All of which are big-hitters in the world of London sight-seeing and with only twenty-four hours in
London, our mission to tick-
off as many as possible began. Myself, and Sarah, seasoned London city-breakers, aimed to show Cara, a first time tourist to the city, as many attractions as possible. A mission which would be far too ambitious to achieve on foot, but on a TFL Santander bike? Well, the possibilities are endless.
Setting off on two wheels, our journey began
in Kensington Gardens with the wind in our hair and the pedals
beneath our feet, we caught a glimpse of Kensington Palace and Diana, Princess of Wales’ memorial garden. Taking in the sights and sounds of Central London, we passed underneath the Wellington Arch,
journeying down Constitution Hill towards the
regal Buckingham
Greeted by the charismatic Cecelia, breakfast is also served from the Scoff and Banter restaurant, with a self-serve spread of both hot breakfast and continental breakfast items, ideal for fuelling yourself for a busy day of exploring London. Before we knew it, it was time to bid farewell to Kensington and the Radisson Blu South Kensington Hotel. Comfortable,and convenient, what truly resonated with me was the property’s prime location, and friendly staff, making it a great base when planning your very own London escape.
before Palace. From the
entrance of the hotel to Buckingham Palace, the journey on bicycle took around 40 minutes including sight-seeing along the way, making it a quick but exhilarating way to journey into central London, where the exploration only continued.
Camera rolls full and keyrings purchased, we returned to the hotel later in the evening ahead of our dinner reservation at the Radisson Blu South Kensington’s restaurant, Scoff and Banter, and we had certainly worked up an appetite. The property’s restaurant is relaxed, and stylish with a bar area and adjoining extra seating available. For our evening reservation, we were seated in the bar area, which provided a private and comfortable dining experience. Choosing from a three-course menu, I opted for the vine tomato soup with a baguette to start, and the classic Caesar salad for my main. Followed by a staple dessert, the Sticky Toffee Pudding which came accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream. A sticky and sweet end to a fantastic three-course dining experience.
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