The 56-room Milestone is perhaps the most famous boutique hotel in London, and certainly lives up to its expectations, with exquisite traditional English decor, truly exceptional service, and an excellent location near Kensington Palace, Royal Albert Hall, and London’s most exclusive shopping. The attentive, above-and-beyond service is where the hotel really shines, as each member of staff is superbly trained, ensuring that each guest gets the first-rate luxury experience for which The Milestone is known. With ample boutique perks on top of that, it’s difficult to find something wrong with this hotel -- just expect to pay a high price for all these luxuries. Travelers looking for a more contemporary boutique vibe on Hyde Park could try Baglioni Hotel London.

For those looking for a lovely spot for an extended stay, the 65-room Nadler Kensington (formerly Base2stay) is an affordable option in a decent area of Kensington. A non-pretentious attitude toward saving money, proactive eco policies, and smartly designed rooms are some definite perks -- and may very well make the relatively small size of the rooms a bearable downside. The hotel also got some stylish upgrades when it rebranded.

Baglioni Hotel London is a four-and-a-half-pearl boutique property overlooking Kensington Gardens and featuring luxurious Italian decor in black and gold. The 67 individually decorated rooms feature black parquet floors, black marble bathrooms with golden sinks, plus high-end amenities like Illy espresso-makers. The chic Italian restaurant and bar, Brunello, is a destination in itself, and the hotel also has a spa and fitness center, plus kid-friendly amenities, though there's no pool. The hotel isn't super close to the tube, but guests are offered free chauffeur service in a Maserati, within a short radius. The Milestone Hotel is a comparable luxury boutique property nearby, offering similar amenities but more traditional English decor.

As the leading flagship of sorts amongst the Hotel Indigos of London, this Kensington/Earl’s Court branch seems to have more of a cohesive personality driving its brand. It’s a sassy, rococo-themed luxury hotel with a coquettish manor house theme and playful design quirks. With plenty of modernized baroque furniture in bright hues of pink, lime and teal, this Hotel Indigo stands out boldly above its sisters and is an overall delight -- just beware the occasional maintenance faults. The location on the west edge of Kensington isn't within walking distance of many sights, but the Earl's Court tube station is right nearby.

The Bentley lives up to its name -- this is a serious luxury hotel awash in opulent decor with an air of palatial extravagance. Its Kensington address is as upscale as they come, and it's a short hop to some of the capital's most exclusive shopping. The 64 rooms are spacious and elegant, though not without showing a few signs of wear in places, with flat-screen TVs that include computers with wireless keyboards, minibars, and marble bathrooms with walk-in showers and jetted tubs -- the Imperial Suite has a grand piano and a dining room that seats 12. The hotel's Kalon Spa, which includes a small gym, has a Turkish hamman and offers an array of traditional and innovative therapies, while The Bentley's snug bar is a superb spot to unwind.

The Ashburn Hotel is a cozy, modest boutique option on a quiet side street in Kensington. The 38 rooms represent the historic character of this 19th century townhouse with period details such as sculpted ceilings. Decor is on the traditional side, but rooms have modern features with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Details bring extra comfort to the somewhat small rooms, such as plush reading chairs and electric kettles. Personal touches are a highlight here, including a surprise nightly turndown gift, free evening champagne, and option for having breakfast in bed. Other draws are the spacious drawing room and bar and a location near transport.

This three-and-a-half-pearl boutique hotel is situated in upmarket West London, just around the corner from Earl's Court Underground station. The traditional Victorian townhouse has a cozy, homey atmosphere, blending classic features with modern design elements. The 21 rooms are clean and contemporary, though some are much smaller than others. All rooms include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Some add balconies with lovely views of Barkston Gardens. There is no on-site restaurant or bar, though a free continental breakfast buffet is served daily in the hotel's conservatory. For a boutique hotel with an excellent on-site restaurant and wine bar, guests should consider The Levin in Knightsbridge, which is just a few blocks away.

Opened in 1892, the 53-room The Gore London is a historic property in the affluent South Kensington area of London. The hotel draws on its past, with rooms that are quintessentially British, and adorned with original paintings and rich tapestries. High-end amenities include large TVs, Penhaligon toiletries, and Handy phones, but notably, there are no accessible rooms. The 190 Queen’s Gate restaurant is popular with locals and residents alike and serves British dishes with locally sourced ingredients. A rock 'n' roll bar is open late and has an extensive whiskey selection, plus there are three meeting rooms and a cozy library that doubles as a lounge. Rates are steep, even for this exclusive postal code. For a more budget-friendly stay, consider DoubleTree by Hilton, Kensington.

The Parkcity hotel is a small corporation-run hotel with a sleek, contemporary lobby, restaurant, and mocktail bar/lounge. It’s relatively affordable, well located for direct trips from the airport, and a short walk to the nearest tube station (for access to area attractions). But minimal room amenities and basic facilities may leave some guests wanting more.

The 90-room Queens Gate Hotel is a lovely upscale property with sleek and modern interiors in a central location on Queens Gate and close to several sights. Interiors are posh and elegant, with a black-and-white color palette accented by crimson shades and tastefully decorated with contemporary furniture. Spacious rooms are light and airy with high ceilings and large windows, and include flat-screen TVs, minibars, and tea- and coffee-making facilities, but bathrooms can feel cramped. The hotel also has a small bar that serves light bites and has a small, heated outdoor terrace, as well as a basement breakfast room (though breakfast is not included in the room rate). Prices are competitive for an upscale hotel in this neighborhood; the Rydges Kensington London is typically pricier, and The Parkcity is similarly priced but has fewer amenities and less style. 

With 81 rooms and suites, the upscale Rydges Kensington feels a little more personal than some of the larger hotels of its category. However, it still has a few important amenities (namely a small fitness center, elegant bar, and artsy restaurant) that one would expect from a higher-end property. Rooms are modern and cozy, ranging from small singles to family-size suites, and come with mini-fridges and windows that open. The bathrooms feel somewhat cramped (particularly the showers), but overall this hotel is a good choice for its convenient central-London location, and well-kept rooms and common areas.

The 58-room Presidential Apartments are premium, self-contained, serviced apartments located between Kensington and Earl's Court in west-central London. Apartments are modern with fully-equipped kitchens, and many open to balconies or small courtyards (though some units are in the basement). There isn't much in the way of public areas or any restaurant or bar options on-site. "Presidential" might be a bit misleading, but overall they're a good value, and offer an upscale option central enough for most travelers -- especially those staying longer than a few days.

Twenty Nevern Square is an elegant, upper-middle-range, 20-room boutique hotel set in a romantic, Victorian brick building overlooking a green square just around the corner from Earl's Court tube station, in London. Looking onto a small park and a square of attractive town houses, the hotel is in a peaceful location away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. Rooms are individually decorated with rich fabrics, carved wooden four-poster and sleigh beds, and Middle Eastern, Indian, and East Asian accent pieces -- don't expect air-conditioning. There's an on-site bar and a garden for guests, and a free continental breakfast daily. The converted Victorian townhouse has been well preserved, with plenty of original architectural details still visible in the small but charming rooms, which are a bargain for the value.

The 48-room Mayflower Hotel & Apartments is an upper-middle-range boutique located on the west side of central London in easy walking distance to restaurants and shops. This hotel is also directly behind the Earl's Court tube station, making it particularly convenient for transit -- guests can reach most London hotspots in 30 minutes or less. In addition to the small and tasteful rooms in the main building, there's a separate building with one- and two-bedroom apartments. Rooms have wood floors, hand-carved headboards, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and marble bathrooms, but there's no air-conditioning and rooms facing the train station can be noisy. The nearby Amsterdam Hotel is a similar property, with more muted decor and in-room air-conditioning.