Hotel Review: The Pelham, London

Right in the thick of the action in South Kensington, The Pelham's location is one of its star qualities. You've got the Circle, District and Piccadilly Lines on your doorstep, and the neighbourhood's best restaurants just down the road. For business travellers, it's convenient for access to various embassies, while tourists will love wandering to some of the city's best museums nearby. The Natural History Museum, V&A and Science Museum are all within walking distance from this homely hotel - you could spend an entire weekend here without walking further than 15 minutes from the front door.

By car: around 4 hours from Manchester and 2 hours 30 minutes from Bristol.

By train: Marylebone station is a 15-minute drive away; South Kensington tube is a 2-minute walk. Book trains to London.

The Pelham is a warren of staircases and corridors thanks to its set-up inside four townhouses, making it feel quite homely - if a little like a labyrinth. The décor is an eclectic mix of 19th-century wood-panelled rooms with wingback armchairs and plush sofas, and bedrooms with modern art pieces, bold patterned wallpaper and velvet curtains.

There are few facilities at The Pelham - no gym, no spa - but there's little need for much more than its lounges and restaurant, as South Kensington has the rest. Staff are kind and doting without being overbearing, and there's a concierge who will help you book restaurants, tickets and call a cab.

• Bar
• Restaurant
• Fitness centre
• Board games
• Pet-friendly
• Free Wi-Fi

Each bedroom in The Pelham is different, but they're all relatively spacious, and suites come with living areas and double sinks in the bathroom. Expect bold wallpapers and soft furnishings that add a splash of colour, and enjoy the unusual artworks and trinkets that decorate each room.

Room types: Superior Room, Deluxe Room, Executive Room, Junior Suite, King Suite, The Mews

Key amenities: ensuite bathroom with toiletries, bathrobes and slippers, pillow menu, tea and coffee facilities, TV, free Wi-Fi

As it's Italian-owned, it's only right that The Pelham makes the most of this link through its restaurant menu, which offers Roman-style pizzas, unusual takes on pasta dishes (we ordered the carbonara which came a little too al dente for our liking but with an unusual orange-coloured egg sauce) and Italian desserts by Michelin-starred chef Alfredo Russo.

La Trattoria: Italian cuisine with an innovative twist. Dishes include handmade orecchiette, seabass fillet and risotto. All-day menu, open Tue-Sat. Breakast served daily.