With the end of the pandemic hopefully in sight, hotel stays for business and pleasure are back on the agenda. PA Life checked in to the Kings Arms Hotel Hampton Court for dinner and an overnight stayโฆ
Given its location, itโs no surprise that the Kings Arms is steeped in history.ย Though built in the Georgian style, the building actually dates back to 1709 when Queen Anne was monarch. Over 300 years later it has evolved into a 14-bedroom boutique hotel, overlooking Hampton Court Palace on one side and Bushy Park on the other.
The location, as well as being historic, is also super convenient if you live or work in the south-east, or have visitors flying in from further afield โ Hampton Court sits between Kingston upon Thames and Twickenham and is a 20-minute drive from Heathrow or the M25 at junction 12. We travelled by car and enjoyed the river views on the way in.
The building stands out on approach and nicely offsets the imposing entrance to Bushy Park on the opposite side of the road (youโre just a short walk to landmarks such as the Diana Fountain and Hampton Court Palace itself in the other direction).
Once inside the hotel youโll walk through an elegant lounge and cocktail bar, with The Six restaurant (named in deference to Henry VIIIโs wives), private dining room and an al fresco terrace also available for meetings or socialising. The reception desk is also here, with friendly staff on hand to get you checked in and answer any questions.
Food and drink are served throughout the day: the restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, with breakfast and lunch 7 days a week.
Being a boutique hotel in an older building, every room is different in shape, size and design, which is great โ thereโs something for everyone. We stayed in a modern, bright and airy Deluxe room on the first floor, overlooking the terrace and park gates. Very comfortable and very quiet.
In the evening we enjoyed pre-dinner drinks in the bar, with some impromptu cocktail making lessons from the awesome bar manager โ make sure you ask for one of his Espresso Martinis, you wonโt be disappointed.
Dinner in the The Six restaurant, overseen by Michelin Star Chef Mark Kempson and Head Chef Jack Scoines, offers traditional, seasonal British menus, with a serious dash of panache. We enjoyed red mullet and blanche goatsโ cheese agnolotti to start, followed by Huntsham farm pork ribeye and North Atlantic halibut, all of which were both plentiful and delicious. We also had a full cooked breakfast the next morning to set us up for the day.
As well as being a fantastic place to stay or meet for business on pleasure, the Kings Arms also caters for private events too, including tasting dinners. We highly recommend.
Kings Arms Hotel
2 Lion Gate
Hampton Court Road
Molesey
KT8 9DD
t: +44 (0) 20 8016 6630
e: reservations@kingsarmshamptoncourt.com
w: https://kingsarmshamptoncourt.com
