Stars of our own show at Ellen Kensington hotel, London

I have a couple of days of super-cool aunty activities planned as I’m hosting my niece over half term, and although she loves it in Brighton, I suggest we spend some quality time in London instead, belatedly celebrating her 18th birthday.

Our destination is the Ellen Kensington, a beautiful Edwardian building, consisting of five interconnected townhouses, located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in West London.

Boasting five stars, the property only opened last year and is the second in the UK to be operated by KOP Group’s Montigo Resorts hospitality brand – the first is the Grade II listed, 28-room ‘Montigo Resorts Somerset’ at Charlton House, so expectations are high.

Situated on a charming tree-lined street just moments from Earl’s Court tube station, this property proudly features an English Heritage Blue Plaque, in testimony to its colourful Victorian era, when Shakespearean actress and socialite Dame Ellen Terry resided here.

Named in her honour, the hotel exudes decadence from the moment we ascend the marble steps into its inviting foyer.

Deceptively spacious, the hotel boasts 105 rooms and suites, with more than half overlooking the historic Barkston Gardens, whilst others have views of the secluded rear terrace – which in the summer, will no doubt be a hotspot for sundowners!

Whereas the rest of the hotel has restored the home’s original features and the period banisters, high ceilings and bay box sash windows make it extremely homely (albeit a grand home!).

Offering options for every kind of traveller – single rooms for solo travellers to a super luxe suite, all are kitted out with top-end amenities, rain showers, standalone baths and coffee machines, and with a 24-hour reception, the location is perfect whether you’re here as a couple, a family or exploring on your own.

Our room, a twin, is in the basement of the property – just one floor down but on par with the rest of the hotel’s finesse. However, I will admit the lift is a tad slow-moving for our liking and after the first descent, we decide to use the stairs.

The room itself, however, is top notch. Two large doubles with the softest mattress topper and pillows, plus lots of fluffy towels and robes (and balloons and a bottle of fizz for Ruby). If only we had time to do a slumber party.

On our first evening, we enjoy dinner in the ground-floor restaurant, The Lacquer Room: a pan-Asian restaurant led by executive chef Eugene Lam, serving a Japanese-inspired menu with seafood specialities. With slick marble tables and gold cutlery, the dining experience is like a film set where we are the stars.

And as we are both pescatarian, we try a selection of signature dishes including deep-fried baby squid karaage, lobster laksa, monkfish soup, asari clams and Japanese beer-battered fish and chips. Needless to say, our full bellies prevent us from going out that night.

However, the next day, after a healthy breakfast (classic buffet-style affair with fresh juices, home-baked pastries and all the components of a full English, as well as Asian-inspired options like congee and miso mushrooms), we are in the prime location for a blow dry at Hari’s in South Kensington, some retail therapy on the High Street and a spot of culture at the nearby Design Museum and the V&A. Being in the heart of west London also means it is only a short tube ride to the New Wimbledon theatre for our evening show too.

The Victoria and Albert museum is nearby.

If you’re planning a trip to London and want to explore the leafy west, Kensington is one of London’s treasures, with an abundance of incredible eateries, secret bars and pub gardens, there really is something for everyone. You don’t have to be in Zone One to make the most of your stay.