Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington - Formerly Vanderbilt, London
About the Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel, London South Kensington, formerly known as Vanderbilt, is set in a Grade II listed 19th-century building that blends historical elegance with modern amenities. Located in the desirable Kensington district, it provides easy access to cultural landmarks and shopping areas. The hotel features thoughtfully designed accommodations and a popular on-site restaurant. Its proximity to the Natural History Museum makes it an appealing choice for families and cultural enthusiasts.
Location
Located in Kensington, the hotel is a short journey by bus, underground, or taxi from London’s West End. It is also within walking distance of notable attractions like the Victoria and Albert Museum and Harrods. The nearest tube station, Gloucester Road, provides easy access to the rest of the city. The surrounding area features small boutiques, high street shops, and stately Victorian architecture.
Rooms
Each bedroom is equipped with superior comforts including handcrafted Vispring mattresses and 350 thread count Egyptian cotton bedding. Guests can choose from various accommodations, from single beds to spacious junior suites with seating areas. All rooms feature in-room safes, mini-fridges, air conditioning, and Nespresso machines for convenience. The bathrooms are beautifully designed with REN Clean Skincare amenities and both bathtubs and separate showers.
Eat & Drink
Scoff & Banter restaurant serves Modern European cuisine, emphasizing seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. A special Farmer's Selection menu highlights contemporary European dishes prepared by the culinary team. The restaurant also offers an indulgent afternoon tea experience with artisan finger sandwiches and scones. The Snug is an intimate private dining room available for exclusive hire, perfect for smaller gatherings.
Leisure & Business
The hotel provides a dedicated team and attention to detail for hosting events, with twelve meeting rooms that cater to groups of up to 140 people. A virtual concierge service, Edward, is available via text or app before, during, and after your stay. Additionally, an in-room dining menu is offered, featuring a diverse selection of meals and beverages.
Select your room type
Price and Room Availability Calendar
Getting around
A list of all available modes of transport
Facilities
General
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- No parking
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- Express check-in/ -out
- No pets allowed
- Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
- 24-hour security
- Baggage storage
- Elevator
- Currency exchange
- Smoke detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Key card access
- Key access
Sports & Fitness
- Fitness center
Services
- Room service
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
- Dry cleaning
Dining
- In-room breakfast
- Restaurant
- Bar/ Lounge area
- Special diet menus
Business
- Business center
- Meeting/ Banquet facilities
- Fax/Photocopying
Children
- Cribs
- Children's menu
Room features
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Mini-bar
- Sitting area
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Turndown service
- Armchair
- Ironing facilities
Bathroom
- Bathtub
Media
- Direct dial telephone
- AM/FM alarm clock
Location
Reviews and Ratings
Staying at the hotel was a pleasant experience overall. The rooms were clean, comfortable, and air-conditioned, making my stay cozy. The service provided by the staff was excellent despite some minor issues like not knowing what an egg cup was. The location was ideal for exploring the city, with convenient access to the underground. The dining options were decent, but there were some limitations. The facilities met the basic needs for a comfortable stay.
The hotel offers spacious rooms with high ceilings and elegant cornicing, incredibly clean with polite staff and a variety of food and drink options. The location is unbeatable, right next to the tube station for easy access to top attractions like Covent Garden and museums. The dining experience is good, with reasonable bar prices and delightful French toast and hot chocolate. However, the breakfast can be a bit of a wait and pricey. The hotel facilities are well-equipped for a comfortable stay.
The hotel has a mix of positives and negatives. The room was initially small and different from online, but after moving, it was spacious and quiet. The stairs were steep and narrow, creating an unpleasant experience. The service was friendly and efficient, with staff being helpful and welcoming. The location near Gloucester Road Tube Station is ideal for exploring the city easily. Overall, the hotel offers value for money.
The hotel had a large, comfy, and quiet room that was clean, comfortable, and spacious, but some rooms were very small, leading to disappointment. The service was excellent, with attentive and friendly staff who even went the extra mile to accommodate special occasions. The location was excellent with easy access to nearby attractions and transportation options. The dining experience was good with accommodating staff, although a bit more variety would have been appreciated. The facilities were well-maintained.
The hotel is set in a beautifully historic building with clean and current rooms, albeit lacking some modern amenities like a trouser press and tea and coffee making facilities. The staff is generally pleasant, though the bar service and room service may have room for improvement. The location is convenient for public transport, making it easy to explore the area. The dining options are tasty with a good selection, although some service aspects could be more polished.
The hotel's rooms, though small as is common in London, were clean and comfortable for recuperating from long flights. However, the sofa bed was old, uncomfortable, and affected the room's space due to its size. The service was excellent, with attentive staff who promptly resolved any issues. The location was very convenient, close to key attractions and transport options. The dining experience offered a good variety of foods but lacked some options. The facilities were satisfactory overall.
The hotel offers amazing views of the river from the rooms, which are very comfortable and quiet, equipped with all necessary amenities. Despite feeling slightly claustrophobic, the overall experience is good. The service is professional and helpful, but issues with room descriptions and intrusions affected the stay. The location is perfect for exploring major London attractions on foot. The dining experience is described as wonderful, with some of the best food enjoyed. The facilities are satisfactory.
I had booked a deluxe room, but it felt more like a standard one. Although clean and with a comfortable bed, the room was very basic with a leaking shower screen and dirt around the toilet pipes. The service was exceptional, going above and beyond to make our celebratory break special. The staff was incredibly nice and helpful, making our stay enjoyable. The location was convenient for carrying luggage around, being perfect for easy access to the tube and central to museums and tourist sites. The dining experience offered a good variety of fresh foods, especially the succulent steaks. Overall, a decent stay with minor room issues but outstanding service and location.
Staying at the hotel was overall a pleasant experience. The rooms were clean and comfortable, although the air conditioning was noisy and not very effective. The basement room, while lacking a view, provided all essential amenities. The location was excellent, just minutes away from key attractions and the tube station. The dining experience varied from excellent to average, with a wide variety of food available. The service was outstanding, with the staff going above and beyond to ensure a pleasant stay.
The hotel room was twice the size as shown in the advertisement pictures, making it a perfect suite for my wife and 2 young kids. However, it needs total refurbishment.
I had a pleasant stay at this hotel. The rooms were well-equipped and met my standards, with a clean and comfortable 6ft bed and very cozy pillows. The service was exceptional, with staff being welcoming, attentive, and going above and beyond to make our stay enjoyable. The location was unbeatable, just a short walk to the tube station and surrounded by many restaurants and pubs. The dining experience was excellent, with friendly service and adapted options. Overall, a great value for money choice with some minor room accessibility issues.
The hotel has a great location, perfect for exploring London, with clean and spacious rooms. However, the dining options were limited, and there were some issues with water temperature in the shower.
My stay at the hotel was a mixed experience. The rooms, although clean and comfortable, had some issues with water drainage causing inconvenience. The staff was friendly and helpful overall, apart from a minor incident at the bar. The location was fantastic for exploring the city but had some access difficulties. The dining experience was enjoyable with a good selection, although there were some minor wait times. Facilities were satisfactory, providing a decent stay overall.
My stay at the hotel was wonderful! The rooms were beautiful, lovely, very quiet, and very comfortable. They were clean and current, even though it's a more historical building. The service was top-notch, with the staff being very welcoming, accommodating, and friendly. The location was brilliant, being right next to Gloucester Road tube station, making it easy to explore the city. The dining experience was excellent, and the facilities were impressive.
After a busy day in London, the hotel offered a lovely quadruple settee and a king-size bed in the rooms. However, hot water took some time to come. The service showed a bit of a 'not my problem' attitude at first but later made efforts to assist us, even acknowledging a special occasion. The location is ideal with easy access to transport links and nearby amenities. The dining was exceptional with quick service and great food. Overall, good value for money with a few minor hiccups.
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