The Franklin London - Starhotels Collezione
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The Franklin London - Starhotels Collezione · London, United Kingdom
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Key Highlights
- ✓Bar: The Franklin Bar offers a "glamorous 1920s/Great-Gatsby inspired mirrored" setting for cocktails and champagne, perfect for winding down.
- ✓The service at The Franklin is consistently highlighted as a major strength, often described as "exceptional" and "impeccable".
Expert Review: The Franklin London - Starhotels Collezione
The Franklin London - Starhotels Collezione, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a luxurious and intimate experience in the heart of Knightsbridge, blending English townhouse charm with Italian sophistication and design.
1. Overall Rating & Sentiment
The general consensus for The Franklin London is overwhelmingly positive, with guests frequently praising its elegant atmosphere, prime location, and exceptional staff. Review platforms show strong ratings, with an average of 8.6/10 on KAYAK from over 500 reviews, and similar high scores for location (9.6/10 on KAYAK, 9.4 on Booking.com) and staff (9.1 on Booking.com). The hotel is often described as a "fantastic luxury boutique hotel" and a "sophisticated elegant escape" that continuously earns guest loyalty.
2. Key Highlights
Guests consistently laud The Franklin for several standout features:
- Service & Staff: The "friendly and professional staff" are frequently highlighted for their attentiveness, helpfulness, and warm, Italian-influenced hospitality, making guests feel valued and cared for. Many reviews mention staff going "above and beyond" and providing "exceptional service".
- Location: The hotel's position in Knightsbridge is a major draw, offering a tranquil retreat on Egerton Gardens while being "a stone's throw" from major attractions.
- Design: The interiors, designed by Anouska Hempel, are frequently admired for their "timeless, Italian-influenced design", blending contemporary British style with Parisian flair and a touch of Gatsby-era glamour in spaces like the bar. The monochrome lobby with Carrara marble floors and velvet furnishings creates a chic and sophisticated ambiance.
- Amenities: Complimentary Wi-Fi, a concierge service, 24-hour room service, and a private hammam and fitness center are among the appreciated amenities.
3. Room Quality
The 35 elegantly appointed rooms and suites are designed for "total comfort" and luxury. They feature a harmonious blend of classic and modern design elements, often in a seductive charcoal grey palette with velvet furnishings and mirrored details. Key aspects include:
- Comfort: Guests frequently praise the "super comfortable beds" with "premium linens" like Italian Frette sheets and pillowtop mattresses, and a pillow menu, creating a "dreamy sanctuary".
- Design: Rooms are "tastefully decorated" with "contemporary and classic elements," offering high ceilings and full-height windows, often with views over Knightsbridge or the tranquil Egerton Gardens.
- Facilities: Each room is air-conditioned and includes a flat-screen TV, a seating area, and luxury bathrooms with bathrobes and Penhaligon's toiletries, often featuring roll-top bathtubs or rain showers. Some suites, like the Presidential Suite, offer separate living areas and walk-in closets. However, some guests have noted disappointment with room sizes and bathrooms, citing "cramped spaces" in certain instances.
4. Dining Experience
The Franklin Restaurant, helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Roberto Roncolato (formerly Alfredo Russo), offers an exquisite Italian dining experience with Mediterranean influences.
- Restaurant Quality: The restaurant, with seating for just 30 diners and garden views, is celebrated for its "modern Piedmont cuisine" and a menu that balances tradition with global flavors. Dishes are often described as "delightfully simple, Italian inspired elegant" and made with the "finest in seasonal ingredients". Everything from breadsticks to pasta is reportedly homemade.
- Breakfast: The "scrumptious continental breakfast" is described as fresh and abundant, with a variety of options. Many guests highly recommend the breakfast, with some calling it "fantastic". A full breakfast is available for a surcharge.
- Bar: The Franklin Bar offers a "glamorous 1920s/Great-Gatsby inspired mirrored" setting for cocktails and champagne, perfect for winding down.
- Room Service: 24-hour room service is available, featuring a menu of international and local dishes.
5. Service & Staff
The service at The Franklin is consistently highlighted as a major strength, often described as "exceptional" and "impeccable".
- Hospitality: The staff, including Les Clefs d'Or Concierges, are noted for being "friendly and helpful", "attentive, and pleasant". Many guests appreciate the warm, Italian hospitality that creates a "cocoon-like atmosphere".
- Personalized Service: The hotel provides "very high standards of personalized service", with a team dedicated to organizing experiences and assisting with any query. Services like airport transfers, ticket services, and even shoe shining and packing are available.
6. Location & Accessibility
The Franklin London boasts an "enchanting location" in Knightsbridge, a "properly posh address" known for its elegance and culture.
- Neighborhood: Situated on the quiet, residential Egerton Gardens, it offers a peaceful ambiance while being incredibly close to major landmarks. The area is a haven for art, fashion, and culture enthusiasts, with high-end boutiques and designer stores on King's Road.
- Attractions: Within easy walking distance are iconic sites such as the Victoria and Albert Museum (steps away), Harrods (7-minute walk), Natural History Museum (less than 10 minutes), Imperial College London, Royal Albert Hall, and Hyde Park.
- Transport: The hotel offers excellent accessibility to public transport. South Kensington Tube Station is just a short walk away (around 600 feet to 1500 feet), and other nearby options include Fulham Broadway, Putney Bridge, Parsons Green, and Sloane Square Tube Stations, as well as Imperial Wharf Train Station. Airport transfer services can also be arranged.
7. Value & Pricing
The Franklin London is positioned as a luxury boutique hotel. While specific pricing fluctuates, rates on KAYAK are listed from $274, with general prices for a standard room ranging from approximately $375 to $547. Suites can range from $498 to $1,649.
- Perceived Value: Despite being a higher-end property, some reviews suggest it offers "exceptional value for money" due to its prime location and luxurious offerings. However, the "value for money" score on booking platforms like Booking.com and momondo is slightly lower (7.8), indicating that while guests appreciate the quality, the price point is a consideration. The cheapest deals are generally found in January and October.
8. Common Complaints
While reviews are largely positive, some recurring criticisms have been noted:
- Room Size/Bathrooms: A common complaint among some guests relates to the "room sizes and bathrooms", which were sometimes described as "cramped spaces" or having "inadequate facilities". One guest mentioned insufficient closet space in their original room.
- Breakfast Cost: While the breakfast quality is highly rated, it is available for a surcharge, which some guests might consider an additional cost.
- Room Service Food: One review mentioned the room service food being "a bit bland".
Sources
Points to Consider
- •While reviews are largely positive, some recurring criticisms have been noted:
Google Reviews
595 reviews
Recent Guest Reviews
Floyd Toole
This is our first stay at The Franklin, and it has been impressive. We are experienced travellers and appreciate not being taken for granted. We have used it as a base for two family gatherings for prolonged lunches, and both were spectacularly well accommodated. We gathered in our spacious luxurious room, moved on to relaxing and delicious lunch with multiple amuse bouches and other tasty and vi...
Response from the owner
Dear Mr Floyd Toole,<br><br>Thank you for sharing such a lovely review. It’s wonderful to know that the hotel served as the perfect base for your family gatherings, and that everything from the spacio...
Stefano Gadella
I stayed at The Franklin for about a week and truly enjoyed my experience. The location is phenomenal, just a few minutes’ walk from Harrods, and within 15–20 minutes by taxi or public transport you can easily reach many of London’s key central areas. What really made the stay special, though, was the exceptional warmth and kindness of the staff! Every interaction felt genuine and attentive, and I...
Response from the owner
Dear Mr Stefano Gadella,<br><br>Thank you for your wonderful review. We are delighted our location, attentive staff, particularly in the Front Office and Concierge team were such an excellent aspect o...
Julia Lazdins
The Franklin is a very well appointed and somewhat hidden gem within the Kensington/Chelsea area. The location is great, a short walk from the tube in a quiet neighborhood. The room itself was lovely, I had a two-level room with a lower “living area” and upper bedroom. The bed is firm but comfortable, however the pillows are very flat and I had to pile three up to get to a reasonable level. The gy...
Response from the owner
Dear Ms. Julia Lazdins,<br><br>Thank you for taking the time to share your recent experience at The Franklin. We're so pleased to hear that you found us to be a hidden gem and enjoyed our tranquil loc...
Our_Discoveries5
My stay at The Franklin, an SLH Hotel was nothing short of exceptional. The hotel exudes timeless elegance, combining classic luxury with a warm and intimate atmosphere. The room was spotless, beautifully decorated, and equipped with every comfort — from a plush bed to a spacious marble bathroom. The staff were incredibly professional, attentive, and always ready to help with a smile. The location...
Response from the owner
Dear Our_Discoveries5,<br><br>Thank you for your wonderful review. We are delighted to know how we provided such a memorable stay. From the elegance of the hotel to the warmth of the staff. The locati...
Lorraine T
We popped into the hotel bar for a couple of drinks and snacks prior to the theatre - exceptionally good surroundings and service. We really enjoyed the elegant decor and cosy feel. The staff went above and beyond to make our experience memorable - the barman Giorgi even invented a cocktail for us and named it in our legacy! Thank you for your personal touch and care - we will be back.
Response from the owner
Dear Lorraine T,<br><br>Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed everything from the bar to the drinks and snacks, and that our decor and int...
Smith
Tiny room, broken tap in the bathroom on day one, weak shower, almost no hot water in the mornings. Terrible soundproofing — street noise + every door slam and footsteps above. Tired decor, indifferent staff, no kettle/coffee maker in the room. Paid luxury prices for a tired Knightsbridge box. Never again, wouldn’t recommend.
Response from the owner
Dear Mr Smith,<br><br>Thank you for your feedback. We are sincerely sorry that your stay fell so far short of expectations. The maintenance issues you experienced, along with the weak shower, lack of ...
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