Venue: The Milestone Hotel – Afternoon Tea, The Stables Bar & Dinner at Cheneston’s
Location: Kensington, London
Date Visited: April 2025
Reviewed by: Caron Bluestone & Scott Henshall
The Vibe
Old-school glamour meets understated cool. Think: private member’s club energy with five-star service, all wrapped up in British charm. Directly opposite Hyde Park and with views of Kensington Palace from the suite windows, this is the kind of place you check into and never want to leave. Opulent, cosy, rich in detail — and yet, somehow, totally unpretentious.
It’s everything we wanted for our first ever Forking Fabulous review — and then some.
The Stay – The Noel Coward Suite
Scott checked into the Noel Coward Suite, and frankly, we’re still dreaming of it. A vast walk-in dressing room. Light pouring through leaded windows. A marble-clad bathroom that’s bigger than most London flats. And yes, an actual soap tray — silver and chic, with a choice of luxe soaps (we had opinions). There was a fruit and cake platter so pretty we almost didn’t touch it… but obviously we did. They even left personalised business cards in the suite. It was giving VIP energy, start to finish.
You feel like you belong here — like the staff genuinely want you to relax, stretch out, and live your best life. Which is exactly what we did.
Afternoon Tea
We kicked off the afternoon with the hotel’s Easter-themed tea in the lounge — and let us tell you, it was pure pastel bliss. Dainty finger sandwiches, buttery scones with lashings of jam and cream, and Easter treats so adorable they deserved their own photoshoot. The pink champagne flowed as a pianist played nearby. It was dreamy, elegant, and exactly what you want from an iconic London tea.
People-Watching
Let’s just say we didn’t dine alone. Lady Victoria Hervey joined us for dinner, and honestly, she fit in perfectly — glamorous, fun, and as sparkly as the champagne. The Milestone attracts a very specific kind of crowd: stylish, discreet, with that “quiet luxury” vibe. Come camera-ready.
The Stables Bar – A Destination in Itself
Dark, mysterious, and cool as hell. The newly refurbished bar has serious speakeasy vibes — all leather, velvet, and low lighting. It’s the kind of place where people come for discreet drinks and end up staying all night. We’re calling it now: this is a bar to go out for. Perfect for locals who want somewhere smart and sexy but low-key.
We had perfectly made baby Croque Monsieurs (my all-time fave) and one of the most theatrical Milestone Old Fashioneds we’ve ever seen — think dry ice, drama, and an expert mixologist who was all about the flair. It was giving “Gatsby has Instagram.”
Dinner was an absolute highlight. We were given the best corner table in the dining room and treated like royalty. Amuse bouche? Baby goats’ cheese tartlets — heaven. I had the confit heirloom tomato starter (zippy, pretty, and full of texture), followed by sea bream with orzo and crab. Cooked to perfection. Light but rich. Dreamy.
Dinner – Cheneston’s Restaurant
Scott went for the Hereford ribeye steak — pink inside, just as it should be — and Lady V had the Dover sole, gleaming in lemon butter. Champagne for Scott, a stunning bottle of Gavi di Gavi for the rest of us. Full marks across the board.
Mid-meal, Executive chef Daniel Putz popped out of the kitchen to chat through the menu with us — and take some photos, of course. Total gent, clearly proud of his craft. And rightly so.
We were too full for dessert — blame the tea — but we’ll be back for the banana & miso crème brûlée.
Breakfast – Jealous, Party of One
The next morning, Scott had poached eggs on sourdough with smoked salmon — fresh, perfectly seasoned, with eggs done just right. I was texting him from home, totally jealous I hadn’t stayed the night (I live in London, so someone had to be responsible). Safe to say, I won’t make that mistake again.
Service & Special Thanks
The staff were beyond wonderful — patient, thoughtful, and ready to help us capture every angle of our content. Huge shout-out to Isi, the PR Director, who was so kind, welcoming, and genuinely excited for our project. We spent a lot of time with the team, Romain in particular, getting our shots, filming, filming again — and they never once made us feel like a nuisance. Hospitality like that? Rare. And priceless.
Powder Room Check
The suite bathroom deserves its own review. Art Deco, marble, big enough to host a dance party (if that’s your thing). Beautifully lit, spa-level amenities, totally fabulous.
The Bill
This is a treat-yourself occasion — and worth every penny. When you factor in the setting, service, and full experience, it’s actually exceptional value for the level of luxury on offer.
Final Thoughts
The Milestone isn’t just a hotel. It’s an escape. It’s luxury without snobbery, glamour with personality, and the kind of place where every detail feels curated just for you. From tea to tipples, to the most fabulous suite, we felt completely at home — the kind of home with bellboys, chefs, and views over Kensington Palace.
We left glowing, grateful, and already planning our return.
Forking Fabulous Rating:
5/5 Forks
Decadent, delicious, and deeply chic. A five-fork launch for a five-star experience.
