Charismatic and charming, The Adria in Kensington bestows a sense of grand elegance upon its visitors from the moment someone grants you access across its exclusive threshold. Editor Sophie Ritchie pulls open the curtains at this grand five-star West London townhouse to share more
The Property
Quite often in this modern age, we arrive at our various hotels for a check-in and the process can feel pretty much identical – sometimes verging on mechanical – wherever you go. Step over the threshold, find the lobby and ditch the bags. But at The Adria in Kensington, the check-in process alone feels so personalised it’s almost as if you’ve arrived at someone’s (extremely beautiful) townhouse for teatime.
Renovated in 2022 with a careful focus on retaining the building’s original character and period features, The Adria is the textbook definition of a boutique hotel. It’s elegant, stylish and dripping with a sense of effortless exclusiveness.
There’s no rushed lobby check-in – in fact, there’s no standard lobby at all. Instead, I’m shown to a pristine living room filled with velvety soft sofas and white furnishings, offered a frothy coffee and left to my own devices for a few minutes before a friendly concierge returns to request my ID.
It’s always good to double check these things – plus I can see why being makeup-free from a facial, sleep-deprived and a little bit sweaty from the walk over in such lavish surroundings could warrant a security check. Luckily, I’m going out for dinner somewhere swish in Chelsea later in the evening, so there’s not long before the war paint is firmly painted back on.
The brilliance at The Adria all steps from the smallest of details, such as the team’s excellent professionalism and carefully-curated surroundings. Even in the lift, I’m directed towards my own personal ‘W’ button – the W standing for Wimbledon, the name of my Executive Room. It turns out every button letter corresponds to an individual abode here, even if technically some rows might be heading to the same floor.
There’s a mix of room categories to choose from at The Adria, but whilst variable in size, decor and features, every sumptuous room shares a common denominator – each draws inspiration from famous London-based locations and motifs – adding a sense of fun to a stay with additional themed decor and artwork, aided by a hefty leather key.
The Room
A good hotel room always evokes a little “Ooh” when you push open the door for the first time, and my Executive Room is no different. The vast space (with an equally impressive tall ceiling) features cream, light blue and muted colour tones that are calming for the senses. Panelled walls, a marble fireplace and a duck egg blue chaise longue make the space feel more like a Parisian apartment rather than a Kensington hotel room.
Tall windows that stretch upwards towards the ceiling pour light into the room, whilst Wimbledon-themed artwork completes the elegant decor with a mounted tennis racket and other fun motifs. It’s chic and comfortable all at the same time, the type of space designed for unwinding and soaking up the high end serenity. For the ultimate dose of indulgence, a petite box of handmade William Curley chocolates awaits anyone with a sweet tooth on a side table.
I waste no time in donning a fluffy robe and heading to the enormous bathroom, where intense preparation of the Everything Shower begins before a night out in nearby Chelsea. The large bathroom feels more like a spa in itself thanks to ample amounts of swirled Cipollino Marble and underfloor heating that comforts my tired feet as I pad around.
The space is exquisite – kitted out with a huge bath, separate rainfall shower and hidden toilet for an air of modesty. I reach for the full-sized Penhaligon’s Halfeti toiletries and get to work for my evening transformation.
The Food
Whilst it might boast a Michelin key, there’s no designated restaurant for lunch and dinners at The Adria (other than a petite dining room where breakfast is hosted each morning). Those who don’t want to venture out into Kensington and nearby Chelsea can still order from an all-day dining room service menu – plus, there’s a minibar filled with delectably expensive tidbits.
The beforementioned breakfast is an intimate experience served in the downstairs restaurant where a menu of hot classics, pastries and smoothies for the health-conscious can be sampled at leisure. For what the service lacks in speed, the dishes make up for in flavour and pretty presentation.
Things to try
1 There’s no onsite spa as such, but a sauna tucked away on the lower floor provides a dreamy way to relax whether you’ve been working up a sweat in the on-site gym or a stressful day at work. There’s also an array of pampering treatments for those seeking an in-room experience, ranging from a Swedish Massage through to reflexology and pedicures.
2 For the runners, sprawling Hyde Park is about a kilometre’s warm up away from The Adria’s striking white exterior. Pack your trainers and enjoy a meander around the various routes amongst plenty of other park-goers.
3 Burn a hole in your pocket with the excellent shopping opportunities awaiting you in nearby Kensington High Street. Whether browsing or buying, there are endless finds to admire – whether that’s shoes, the latest lululemon apparel or simply drooling over Whole Foods’ impressive bakery section.
The Wordrobe Verdict
Capturing the essence of elegance isn’t always the easiest of tasks but The Adria makes it look effortless. This boutique hotel brims with charm and suaveness, providing its guests with a home from home experience that couldn’t feel more personalised. The interiors are gorgeously sumptuous, the surrounding neighbourhoods as chic as they come. If you’re in the market for a London city break that exudes luxury and exclusivity, The Adria should be your first port of call this summer.
Make it happen
Where: 88 Queen’s Gate, London, SW7 5AB, United Kingdom
How: Find out more and make a booking via theadria.com
Words by Sophie Ritchie, editor
