Welcome Kingston 1!
Need a mini break to blast off those lockdown cobwebs? Surrey’s newest boutique hotel is just the ticket as Behiye Hassan discovers.
It might have escaped your notice, due to the general stuck-at-homeness, but the Thames is having a bit of a renaissance, hotel-wise. There’s been a splurge of new riverside venues recently (perfect for a bit of post pandemic R&R), including The Mitre in Hampton Court, the Richmond Harbour Hotel and Spa, and the one Meet the Leader visited recently, the Kingston 1: a hotel, neighbourhood restaurant and bar in Kingston upon Thames.
What a little gem it is. Formerly The Old Moot House Pub, this gorgeous ‘staycation’ may be located less than half-an-hour’s train ride from central London, but nevertheless feels pleasingly bucolic, set amid centuries of history. Kingston itself was an ancient Saxon market town and it’s a great place to stay if you’re looking to explore the area: a stone’s throw from Richmond Park, it’s also a near-neighbour of Hampton Court Palace.
After a delayed train and a general kerfuffle at Waterloo station, the contrast between the metropolitan hubbub and the quiet and calm of the hotel, just eight minutes-walk from Kingston station, seemed even more pronounced.
Once through the doors we found ourselves in a small but stylish lobby, with two sofas and some elegant, antique décor. A quick sign in, and we were ushered into one of 22 rooms (there’s disabled access too). There’s a contemporary colour scheme of whites and light and dark greys throughout, particularly noticeable in the white-marbled restaurant.
We were checked into the hotel’s largest suite, The Kingston Suite, with floor to ceiling windows and a spacious living area, complete with a grey and cream sofa and gorgeous peacock cushions, armchair, mini bar, TV and cool retro fan. The basket of blankets and extra cushions was a nice touch. On the coffee table, copies of Elle, The Times and The Guardian – along with our welcome note, fruit and chocolates. (There’s a charge for room service, but you can also take your meals in the room.)
The bedroom was similarly spacious, with a really comfy King Size bed, while the grey, white and navy themes were reflected in its dark grey radiators and navy cushions. An open rail wardrobe offered plenty of storage, as did a pair of bedside cabinets. And while the bathroom may have been compact, it’s well stocked with White Company toiletries and Hugo Boss face towels.
For those who want to curl up with a good read, there’s a bookshelf on the second floor – and a rack of magazines, such as Vogue, Grazia and Cosmo in reception (but don’t forget to return them when you’re done – sharing is golden).
Food and drink-wise, the Kingston 1’s modern European restaurant and bar Solo should satisfy all but the most churlish of gastronomes, especially with the appointment of its head chef Marco Palazzo, formerly Head Chef at Jamie’s Italian and Seabird at The Hoxton hotel. While influenced by contemporary Italian cooking techniques, his menu celebrates local British produce with dishes such as seafood Scotch egg, lobster & scallop spiedini and fillet steak with burnt onion puree. We enjoyed a three-course meal which included a tasty Cannoli and a rich and indulgent chocolate fondant before sinking into the comfiest beds.
This is lovely boutique hotel, with helpful and friendly staff who made easing back into ‘normality’ a breeze. A total, almost back to normal, treat.