Bespoke Luxury Overlooking London’s Royal Gardens

by  Lola Akinmade | Feb 26, 2010
The Milestone
The Milestone / Photo courtesy of the property

Before ever stepping foot into the extravagant five-star boutique hotel, confirmed guests arriving at Red Carnation’s The Milestone, located across Kensington Palace and The Royal Gardens, are invited to fill out a detailed preference form. 

Personalized questions such as “what are your hobbies/interests?” or “what is your favorite color?” allow Milestone staff to tailor one of their uniquely designed 57 luxury rooms and 6 apartments to suit your individual style. Handpicked antiques, original oil paintings, and intricately designed décor add to each room’s deluxe personality. Themes range from a Safari suite with animal prints and a colonial ceiling fan to the Mistinguett boudoir-styled room named and fashioned after the 20th-century French actress and her flamboyance with vivid splashes of red and plush fur.

Creature comforts such as feather pillows, natural filling duvets, flowers, gourmet Belgian or Swiss chocolate, and a birthday or anniversary cake can be requested beforehand. Should you require some stretching exercises once you arrive, order complimentary yoga and Pilates DVDs as well as a yoga mat through your preference form. Business cards with your name and direct dial numbers to your room are also specifically designed and left with your welcome packet.

Upon arrival, guests are received by the hotel’s butler, Terry van Santen who shows them to their rooms and gives them a personal tour of the property.  According to Terry, the Milestone strives to take away the feeling of guests seeming like strangers and make them feel like they’ve come home. “We’re attentive without being intrusive,” he adds.  Milestone staff is encouraged not to assume what guests want, but rather, ask. And this relationship-building element is what adds to the hotel’s world-renown signature customer service with at least a 75 percent return guest rate.

Not short on complimentary services, rooms are attended to daily (unless otherwise noted with a “Do Not Disturb” sign) and maids leave a bevy of items such as home-made cookies, hand-picked fruits, bonbons, delicious canapés, newspapers, the next day’s weather forecast and other essentials to make your stay luxuriously comfortable.

In the hotel’s basement, you’ll find a full Heath Spa complete with a sauna, weight training and cardio equipment, and a resistance pool. Manicures, pedicures, and full body massages can be provided by the hotel’s resident beauty therapist, Fiona Keane, whose resume includes a who’s who client list and stints at royal palaces in Kathmandu to Kensington Palace, Downing Street, and The White House.

From 3-6pm daily, head into the Park Lounge to enjoy traditional  English Afternoon tea with a spread of scrumptious finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, tasty French pastries, rich Devonshire clotted cream, and your choice of soothing Chamomile, Peppermint, Lapsang Souchong, Jasmine, Rooibos, English Black, and a variety of other teas.

Your entire stay at The Milestone can be customized to suit your every need; from decadent five course meals specially handcrafted for you by Chef Ryan O'Flynn based on dietary requirements to challenging out-of-the-way requests promptly fulfilled by the hotel’s 24-hour concierge and butler service.

The Milestone offers a variety of packages such as its Art & Antique package which includes complimentary chauffeur-driven service to Earls Court or Hyde Park, and complimentary Afternoon tea. From now until December 15, 2010, stay two nights in a suite and choose from inclusions such as a romantic turndown with roses, chocolates, and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a $75 Harrods shopping voucher, or a delicious 3-course dinner for two in the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Chenestons.

Prices start from $409 per night (excl. VAT) for Superior Double rooms or $925.00 per night for a Junior Suite. This offer is subject to a minimum two-night stay. Call 011-442-0-7917-1000 or book online at www.milestonehotel.com.

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