The Gore London – Starhotels Collezione

The bar is nicely appointed and has a wide range of drinks. Breakfast was excellent too, with well cooked dishes to choose from and great service. It's a traditional hotel with plenty of charm and character. My one complaint is that the bathroom and shower taps need replacing, since it was hard to regulate the shower.

The staff really made our stay, everyone was amazing. Our room was quiet, comfortable, and very clean, though a bit warm for us. Within minutes of asking, someone brought us a fan. It's a beautiful hotel, with a mix of luxury and old style, and the location was perfect. I'd definitely book again.

The location is hard to beat, steps from the Royal Albert Hall and close to Hyde Park and Kensington Palace. The building has genuinely interesting bones, and the Library is absolutely glorious. But I won't be returning on our next trip, especially at this price. The hotel seems to be resting on its history instead of looking after it. Our room was the smallest of the trip, with little space to move around. There was no iron or ironing board, several outlets didn't work, and the bathtub had a persistent leak that clearly wasn't new. Dust was visible around the room. Even the famous artwork in the hallways, which is a real selling point, was noticeably askew. There was essentially one sitting area, the Library, with stairwells used as overflow seating and no real outdoor space. For a boutique hotel built around character and atmosphere, that's a meaningful lack of usable communal space. Staff were pleasant and seemed well intentioned, but some interactions felt pushy and forced. The hospitality came across as curated rather than genuine. Interesting bones don't make up for deferred maintenance or service that seems to put image ahead of execution.

Dinner was outstanding, every dish was delicious, beautifully presented, and faultlessly prepared. Emma knew the menu inside out, suggested thoughtful wine pairings, and was attentive to allergies. Head chef “Freddie” Forster did an excellent job with both the flavours and presentation. Breakfast the next morning was just as good, after more than nine hours of blissful sleep. The hotel is stunning, warm, and full of character. From the moment we arrived, the welcome felt genuinely warm, more like friends coming to stay than guests. Our room was grand and steeped in history, with elegant furnishings and the modern comforts you'd expect from a luxury hotel. The bed was so comfortable that getting up the next morning was almost impossible. The staff's passion and professionalism came through in every interaction. It would be a privilege to stay again.