The Franklin London
Dark, moody, glamorous. Italian and Moroccan influences throughout, velvet furnishings, Venetian screens, and Art Deco mirrors. Intimate and residential in feel — no traditional lobby, no fanfare. Think more private members' club than grand hotel.
Book the Garden Suite or Presidential Suite for views over Egerton Gardens — the private garden setting is one of the hotel's most talked-about features
Why It Matters
One of only 35 rooms, all designed by Anouska Hempel — the original London boutique hotel pioneer. The Hammam in the basement, which she also designed, is residents-only and genuinely extraordinary. This is a proper small luxury hotel in one of the world's most expensive neighbourhoods, and it feels the part without being stuffy about it.
The Franklin is what happens when a legendary designer gets her hands on a row of Grade II-listed Victorian townhouses in one of London's poshest postcodes. Anouska Hempel — the hotelier who helped invent the boutique hotel in the first place — oversaw the full redesign before the 2016 reopening, and it shows. The ground floor hits you immediately: all-black Carrara marble floors, Venetian screens, Art Deco mirrors, and a lounge where staff check you in at a seat rather than behind a desk. No reception counter. No fuss. Upstairs, 35 rooms spread across the four townhouses range from a tidy 18 sqm Superior all the way to a sprawling 69 sqm Egerton Grand Suite, with Frette linen, Penhaligon toiletries, and pillow menus throughout. The Franklin Restaurant does serious Italian-Mediterranean cooking; the bar is Great Gatsby by way of Milan. And downstairs, an Anouska Hempel-designed Hammam with handmade crystal doors rounds out a property that really does feel like staying in a very stylish friend's Knightsbridge home.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Deluxe Room
More space than the Superior, with views over Egerton Gardens or Knightsbridge. King-size beds, Samsung flat-screen TVs with Bluetooth, Jenson phones, Frette linen, and Penhaligon bathroom amenities. Sizes run 23–26 sqm — workable for a city stay. Bathrooms have either a separate walk-in shower or bathtub.
King · 24 sqmEgerton Grand Suite
Named after the Egerton family — 18th-century landowners — this is the biggest room in the house. Two double bedrooms, an elegant sitting room, a walk-in wardrobe, and two bathrooms (one with a freestanding bathtub, one with a shower). Sleeps up to six, making it the best bet for families or small groups. Views match the postcode.
69 sqmExecutive Suite
These face the Knightsbridge townhouses rather than the garden. Rich colour palette with velvet furnishings — the most 'Anouska Hempel' feel of all the suite categories. Sizes run 29–33 sqm, and they can accommodate up to three guests.
31 sqmGarden Suite
High ceilings, full-height windows, and direct views onto Egerton Gardens. Sizes range 36–45 sqm across the category. Luxurious bathroom with a bathtub, stylish furniture, and a mirror TV. If you're spending real money here, request garden-facing — the view is the point.
40 sqmJunior Suite
Hempel's signature move here is balancing mirrors, furniture, and décor to create something that feels classical but also has a fresh contemporary edge. Views over Egerton Gardens or Knightsbridge, with a sitting area. Sizes range 27–30 sqm — compact but well-considered.
28 sqm
Kensington Grand Suite
Split over two levels, which gives it an unusually spacious feel for Knightsbridge. Two sitting rooms, two double bedrooms, and two bathrooms. The multi-floor layout means good separation if you're sharing. Also sleeps up to six.
60 sqmPresidential Suite
The signature suite, with direct views over the private residents' garden. Marble surfaces throughout the sitting room, design mirrors, a walk-in closet, and a large bathroom with double washbasins. Sleeps two — it's more about quality than space, though 62 sqm is genuinely roomy for London.
62 sqmSuperior Room
The entry-level option. Small — 18–24 sqm — but Hempel's art nouveau-inspired double bed is the centrepiece, and the room doesn't feel budget despite the size. King-size beds most of the time, Frette linen, Penhaligon amenities, Samsung TV. Views of Knightsbridge. Honest caveat: some guests note the room is not much bigger than the bed.
Double/King · 21 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
3 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The hotel's concierge team can arrange private tours of London in a Rolls-Royce or Jaguar limousine — a nod to the city's golden age that pairs well with the hotel's 1920s-inflected aesthetic.
Wizard of Oz-themed afternoon tea served daily 2pm–5pm in The Franklin Restaurant. Ticketed experience, £49 per person. Must be booked 24 hours in advance.
The Victoria & Albert Museum is approximately 300 metres from the front door. The hotel's V&A Experience package (code V&AF25) adds an afternoon tea and 15% discount to stays focused around a museum visit.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Rooms equipped to accommodate guests with reduced mobility are available.
A cosy library that doubles as the hotel's meeting and events space. Equipped with screen, LCD projector, sound system, natural light, and Wi-Fi. A dedicated event manager is available.
Complimentary high-speed WiFi throughout all rooms and public areas (50+ Mbps reported).
Equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym machines. Open 24 hours. Personal trainers available on request (charged separately).
Small and medium-sized pets welcome. £40 per stay fee, must be declared at time of booking.
The Franklin's concierge team holds Les Clefs d'Or distinction — the gold standard in hotel concierge service. Available for reservations, transport, experiences, and bespoke city planning.
No hotel parking available. Central London location — nearest public transport is South Kensington tube (600m).
Designed by Anouska Hempel, situated on the lower ground floor. Handmade crystal doors, sophisticated illumination system. Residents only — not open to the public. Specialist treatments bookable on request.
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