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Hotel
4 star

Number Sixteen

Sumner Place, South Kensington · Hotel

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Photo: Number Sixteen

Firmdale townhouse hotel of 41 rooms in a white stucco terrace in South Kensington, with a private garden and conservatory.

Photos

Photos via Google

About Number Sixteen

Number Sixteen sits on Sumner Place, a white stucco Victorian terrace a couple of minutes from South Kensington station. It is one of Kit and Tim Kemp's Firmdale hotels, and it is the quietest and most domestic of them - four townhouses knocked together into a single hotel of 41 rooms, with no restaurant and no lobby bar, just a drawing room, a conservatory and a garden.

The garden is the reason to book. It runs behind the houses, properly planted around a small pond, and in warm weather breakfast, afternoon tea and evening drinks are served out there. The conservatory opens onto it and works year round. Rooms are individually decorated in Kit Kemp's style - bold fabrics, commissioned artwork, headboards in unexpected patterns - and manage to be characterful without tipping into fuss. Sizes vary considerably between the standard rooms and the garden suites, so it is worth reading the descriptions.

There is no restaurant, but room service runs all day and the drawing room does an honesty bar. This is a deliberate choice: the hotel is set up for people who intend to eat out, and South Kensington and Chelsea give plenty of options within a short walk.

The location suits museum trips above all. The V&A, Natural History and Science Museums are five minutes away on foot, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens ten, and the Piccadilly and District lines run direct into the West End and the City. It is a good choice for couples and for anyone who finds large hotels wearing.

Reception hours

Monday
Open 24 hours
Tuesday
Open 24 hours
Wednesday
Open 24 hours
Thursday
Open 24 hours
Friday
Open 24 hours
Saturday
Open 24 hours
Sunday
Open 24 hours

Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours.

What guests say

Teresa Welsch

The most beautiful boutique hotel in London - an absolute gem! Hands down the best hotel I've ever stayed at in London. From the gorgeously decorated rooms and communal spaces to the stunning secret garden where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast, right through to the incredibly attentive staff who go out of their way to accommodate every special request - everything about this place is exceptional. I stayed at Number Sixteen as a solo traveller and felt completely at ease and safe for the entire duration of my trip. The location in South Kensington is fantastic, and being just steps from South Kensington Station makes getting around the city effortless. I couldn't recommend this hidden gem enough to anyone looking for an unforgettable, elegant stay in London. I'll definitely be back!

2 weeks ago · via Google

Dita Hutchinson

Enjoyed the loveliest afternoon tea with my daughter at the Orangerie today. Fabulous in every way! We were able to sit in the beautiful garden thanks to warm blankets provided by the restaurant. Our server Lotte was just fabulous - so attentive, friendly and helpful. Best afternoon tea selection ever! Their gluten and dairy free option was amazing and just as abundant and delicious as the regular menu. This designer hotel is stunning, and so is their restaurant. Thank you for making our Mother’s Day so special 💫

5 months ago · via Google

Anne-Stuart Darrell

If we could give 100 stars we would. From the moment we entered this charming hotel we were greeted by the friendly staff. Everything about this hotel is exquisite. From the details to the service, all are above and beyond exceptions. The beds were incredibly comfortable with luxurious linens. The spacious sitting rooms were a lovely place to unwind after a long day. We loved the interior design. The breakfast is not to be missed and the orangery and outdoor patio are a total delight. Everything was spotless- impeccably clean! Best of all was the warm and accommodating staff. Number Sixteen feels like a home away from home and our stay here was the highlight of our trip.

3 months ago · via Google

Katherine Hong

Lovely little hotel with a wonderful garden steps away from V&A and the natural history museum. Our stay was great. The only downside was that we were assigned the room on the ground floor right in front of the staircase and the fire door when we requested a quiet room. As a result we heard a lot of door slamming at 6am.

a month ago · via Google

See all reviews on Google →

Guests mention this hotel offers beautiful, well-appointed rooms with comfortable beds and luxurious linens, along with delicious breakfast and afternoon tea options. They also highlight the charming garden and orangery, which provide a relaxing atmosphere. Visitors consistently praise the warm, attentive, and professional staff who go above and beyond to make stays special.

Summary via Google

At a glance

Address
16 Sumner Place, London, SW7 3EG Get directions
Property type
Hotel
Location
Sumner Place, South Kensington
Star rating
4 star
Guest score
9.1 / 10 (900 reviews)
Prices from
£300 per night
Good for children
Yes
Destination
London