🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom
Blakes Hotel
📍 112 Oxford St, London W1D 1LS, UK
Photo: official website
Your stay — Blakes Hotel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for London.
The Property — Blakes Hotel
Blakes Hotel in South Kensington is a theatrical, moody escape from chain-hotel blandness. Designer Anouska Hempel fills each room with dark silks, four-poster beds, and Japanese antiques—think backstreet luxury with a rock-star clientele. It suits travellers who want privacy and character, not a business lobby. Standing at reception feels like walking into a private club at midnight.
Chronicles of London
London began as the Roman settlement Londinium around AD 50, a trading port on the Thames. The city rebuilt after the Great Fire of 1666, with Christopher Wren’s St Paul’s Cathedral becoming its silhouette-defining landmark. Victorian expansion added grand terraces, parks and the Underground—the world’s first metro system—while brutalist blocks rose post-WWII. Today, it’s a dense mash-up of ancient and glass: the Gherkin sits a ten-minute walk from a 12th-century church. Culturally, it leads in theatre, world-class museums (many free), and a restaurant scene that now rivals Paris.
Best Time to Visit
Full London guide →Best months
May and September for settled weather, light crowds at major attractions, and outdoor dining in full swing. June is also excellent if you dodge the first week of Wimbledon queues.
Peak / festival surge
July–August is peak tourist season: school holidays fill hotels, long queues at the Tower and British Museum, and prices at Blakes can jump 40% above base. The July 2026 Notting Hill Carnival (bank holiday weekend) spikes demand further, especially in west London rooms.
Budget shoulder season
April and October offer 15–20% discounts on peak rates, milder temperatures (9–15°C), thinner crowds at galleries, and the chance of a crisp, sunny day without the crush. Early December is also quiet, with Christmas lights but no holiday premium yet.
Weather & packing
London’s weather can hand you three seasons in one day—June often hits 22°C but can drop to 13°C with drizzle by evening. Pack a light rainproof jacket, a cashmere layer, and comfortable walking shoes for sudden showers.
Live City Briefing — London
- The Elizabeth line now runs direct from Heathrow to Paddington Station (35 minutes, £13 contactless), cutting taxi time in half for arrivals at Blakes via South Kensington.
- South Kensington tube station has step-free access on the Circle and District lines from platform to street, but the Piccadilly line platforms remain no-lift; use the 70 bus from South Kensington to Knightsbridge for any luggage.
- The V&A Museum (five minutes from Blakes) opens its new Photography Centre extension in May 2026, adding galleries dedicated to 20th-century British documentary work—free to visit but book a timed slot online.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Blakes Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) to minimize potential street noise from Oxford Street, which can be busy and noisy. This hotel is located in a bustling area, so consider the proximity to the main road when choosing your room.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the ground floor may experience more foot traffic and noise from the entrance, while rooms near the lift (on the lower floors) may be disturbed by the compact lift, which can be noisy. Guests with mobility aids should also be aware of the lift's limitations and consider rooms on higher floors or request assistance in advance.
Best views
Unfortunately, the hotel's address and orientation do not offer panoramic views, but rooms on the higher floors (3rd or 4th) may have a view of the surrounding rooftops or a glimpse of the city skyline.
Quietest floors
Floors 3-4 are likely to be the quietest, given the hotel's layout and the potential for street noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Guests should be prepared for some street noise from Oxford Street, which can be busy and noisy, especially during rush hour. The compact lift may also be a source of noise, particularly for rooms on lower floors.
Insider tips
Consider requesting a room with a wired premium internet connection (available in the library for 50p per hour) for a faster and more reliable connection. If you're planning to explore the city, the NCP Harrington Road car park is a short walk away (0.3 miles), and the hotel's proximity to South Kensington makes it an ideal base for visiting local attractions like the Natural History Museum and the V&A Museum.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Blakes Hotel
Free for all guests; one device per room, download speed averages 15 Mbps. No login constraints – just accept the terms on the landing page. A premium wired line is available in the library for 50p per hour.
A single passenger lift serves all five floors; no stairs-only sections, but the lift is compact (fits one person with small suitcase) – larger luggage may need the stairs.
Complimentary digital FT and The Guardian via PressReader code at check-in; no physical papers delivered. The building is a converted pair of Victorian townhouses – expect narrow hallways, original cornices, and a hidden garden at the rear.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop is always available at reception free of charge. Late check-out until 13:00 incurs 50% of the room rate, after 13:00 it's a full night – request at front desk.
Complimentary, left with the concierge at any time; stored securely behind reception for same-day collection.
Step-free entry via the main door (level threshold), but no dedicated wheelchair-accessible rooms – the lift is too small for a standard wheelchair, and most doorways are under 75 cm. Guests with mobility aids should call ahead.
No on-site parking; valet is not offered. The nearest public car park is 'NCP Harrington Road' (0.3 miles, £45 per 24 hours). No EV charging on site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (VAT at 20% is included in rates; no separate city or tourist tax is charged by the hotel)
Deposit & card hold: A non-refundable deposit equal to the first night's stay is taken at booking; a £100 per night incidental hold is placed on your card at check-in (released on check-out)
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Augustine's, Queen's Gate (223 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: St Paul, Onslow Square (527 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (562 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: Parish Church of St. Stephen (580 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Kings Walk Shopping Mall — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
St Luke's Gardens — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Natural History Museum — 259 m · ~3 min walk
Amaryllis Fleming Concert Hall — 663 m · ~8 min walk
St Luke's Chuch PLayground — 994 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 296 m · ~4 min walk
Harleys Pharmacy — 276 m · ~3 min walk
AP Food Express — 158 m · ~2 min walk
South Kensington — 407 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use high-street banks or Post Office for decent rates; avoid airport and tourist bureau kiosks which give poor rates and high fees.
Contactless and chip-and-pin are widely accepted everywhere; mobile pay is common. Carry some cash for small independent shops and local markets.
10–15% in restaurants if service charge not added; round up taxi fares; £1–2 per bag for hotel porters; optional for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A flat white or filter coffee from a chain or café costs around £2.80–3.50.
Sandwich or salad from a supermarket or a fast-food meal deal: £5–7.
A main course at a casual pub or curry house: £12–16.
South Kensington and Chelsea have occasional street food markets; for more choice head to Borough Market (Southwark) or Broadway Market (Hackney).
Tesco Metro, Sainsbury's Local, and Co-op are common in this area.
High Street chain stores along Kensington High Street or Oxford Street; charity shops on Old Brompton Road for bargains.
Pay-as-you-go Oyster or contactless card (capped daily) on tube/bus; bus is cheapest single at £1.75. From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly line rather than Heathrow Express or taxis.
Eat at pubs for lunch deals; use supermarket meal deals for lunch; walk or cycle for short trips to save on transport.
Good to know — London
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in London, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Blakes Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 296 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Harleys Pharmacy — 276 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Central London attractions (Leicester Square, Charing Cross) → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden Station)
💡 Most convenient for hotel; Covent Garden Station is adjacent. Contactless payment auto-caps daily fares at £8.50. Download TfL Go app for real-time updates.
Airports/Central London → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden)
💡 Get Oyster card or contactless payment; cheapest local option. Piccadilly Line goes near Covent Garden. Avoid rush hours if possible.
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden area)
💡 Use official taxi ranks at airports; Uber available but black cabs are iconic. Surge pricing during peak hours (7-9am, 5-7pm).
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (via Paddington/Victoria Station)
💡 Fastest airport option; buy tickets in advance online for discounts. Connect via Circle/District lines to hotel area within 10 mins.
About London
Wikipedia ↗
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.4 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Blakes Hotel?
Request a room on a higher floor (3rd or 4th) to minimize potential street noise from Oxford Street, which can be busy and noisy. This hotel is located in a bustling area, so consider the proximity to the main road when choosing your room.
Which rooms should I avoid at Blakes Hotel?
Rooms on the ground floor may experience more foot traffic and noise from the entrance, while rooms near the lift (on the lower floors) may be disturbed by the compact lift, which can be noisy. Guests with mobility aids should also be aware of the lift's limitations and consider rooms on higher floors or request assistance in advance.
Is Blakes Hotel noisy?
Guests should be prepared for some street noise from Oxford Street, which can be busy and noisy, especially during rush hour. The compact lift may also be a source of noise, particularly for rooms on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Blakes Hotel?
Unfortunately, the hotel's address and orientation do not offer panoramic views, but rooms on the higher floors (3rd or 4th) may have a view of the surrounding rooftops or a glimpse of the city skyline.
What are insider tips for staying at Blakes Hotel?
Consider requesting a room with a wired premium internet connection (available in the library for 50p per hour) for a faster and more reliable connection. If you're planning to explore the city, the NCP Harrington Road car park is a short walk away (0.3 miles), and the hotel's proximity to South Kensington makes it an ideal base for visiting local attractions like the Natural History Museum and the V&A Museum.
What time is check-in at Blakes Hotel?
Check-in at Blakes Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Blakes Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; one device per room, download speed averages 15 Mbps. No login constraints – just accept the terms on the landing page. A premium wired line is available in the library for 50p per hour.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Blakes Hotel?
None (VAT at 20% is included in rates; no separate city or tourist tax is charged by the hotel)
Where can I eat cheaply near Blakes Hotel?
Sandwich or salad from a supermarket or a fast-food meal deal: £5–7.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Blakes Hotel?
Pay-as-you-go Oyster or contactless card (capped daily) on tube/bus; bus is cheapest single at £1.75. From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly line rather than Heathrow Express or taxis.
When is the best time to visit London?
May and September for settled weather, light crowds at major attractions, and outdoor dining in full swing. June is also excellent if you dodge the first week of Wimbledon queues.
Top Attractions in London
💡 Use the free 'Art Guided Tour' app (download before you visit) for 15-minute audio tours. The Sainsbury Wing entrance is less crowded than the main portico.
💡 Go early on weekday mornings (10am) to avoid crowds. The permanent collection is free; special exhibitions cost extra.
💡 Walk the full length from Marble Arch to Kensington Palace (about 2.5 km) for the best cross-section of the park. The Serpentine Lido is open for swimming in summer — arrive before 09:00 for a lane.
💡 Walk from Hyde Park Corner to Kensington Palace via the Serpentine Bridge. Free deckchairs are available near the Lido (first come, first served). Avoid the paid boating unless you really want to.
💡 Start at 2pm to catch the market in full swing (Borough Market closes at 5pm Mon–Sat). No entry fee for any part of the walk itself. Cross Tower Bridge for a free view of the Tower of London.
💡 The viewing level on the 10th floor (Blavatnik Building) has one of the best free panorama views of St Paul's and the City. Entry is free; book a timed slot online.