Month: August 2026

Mansley has two long-standing addresses in central London, No.1 The Mansions in Kensington and Curzon Street in Mayfair. Guests often ask which one to book, and the honest answer is that it depends on what your trip actually needs, not on which postcode sounds smarter. Here’s a straight comparison to help you choose.

How far is each from the airport and the Tube?

No.1 The Mansions is 13 miles from Heathrow and 0.4 miles from Earl’s Court Underground station. Curzon Street is 16.4 miles from Heathrow but only 0.2 miles from Green Park Underground, with the Elizabeth Line reachable at Bond Street. If a shorter taxi from Heathrow matters more to you, Kensington has the edge. If you’d rather be a three minute walk from the Tube once you land, Kensington wins there, too.

Which is closer to Buckingham Palace and the West End?

Curzon Street is the clear choice. Buckingham Palace is 0.5 miles away, the Houses of Parliament 1.3 miles, and Charing Cross station just 1.8 miles, so the theatre district and Whitehall are both easy walks. No.1 The Mansions sits further out, 3.6 miles from Charing Cross, which makes it a better fit if South Kensington itself is the destination rather than the West End.

Which suits families or longer stays better?

No.1 The Mansions has the wider apartment range, running from studios up to four-bedroom apartments, plus a Signature Collection including the Devonshire, Highgrove and Garden Suites. That extra space, alongside 24-hour reception and daily housekeeping, tends to suit families or anyone staying long enough to want enough room to spread out. Curzon Street’s apartments run from a Business Studio through to a Family Residence in the annexe, all fitted with Hypnos mattresses and well-equipped kitchens, better suited to couples or smaller groups who’d rather be closer to the shops and parks than have extra square footage.

Which has more museums and culture on the doorstep?

Kensington is the museum base. The Natural History Museum is 0.8 miles from No.1 The Mansions, with the V&A and Science Museum 1.3 miles away, alongside Kensington Palace at 1.4 miles. Mayfair leans towards galleries and heritage streets instead. The National Gallery is 0.9 miles from Curzon Street, and Savile Row and Jermyn Street are both under a mile.

Where would you eat without booking ahead?

Both areas have solid options within a five minute walk. Near No.1 The Mansions, Old Brompton Road has La Pappardella and Franco Manca, both roughly 0.2 miles away. Near Curzon Street, Shepherd Market is 49 feet from the door, with El Pirata of Mayfair 0.2 miles away and Scott’s 0.3 miles away for something a little smarter.

Which is better for shopping?

Kensington High Street is 0.9 miles from No.1 The Mansions, with Sloane Street 1.6 miles away for Knightsbridge and Harrods. Curzon Street puts you closer to Mayfair’s arcades, Burlington Arcade and Royal Arcade are both 0.4 miles away, with Bond Street a short walk beyond that.

At a glance:

• Closer to Heathrow, better for families or longer stays: No.1 The Mansions, Kensington
• Closer to the Tube, Buckingham Palace and the West End: Curzon Street, Mayfair
• Museum-led trip: No.1 The Mansions
• West End theatre or gallery-led trip: Curzon Street

Booking direct

Both apartments come with a best rate guarantee and the same BookDirect perks when you book directly through Mansley rather than a third party. Use the promo code BookDirect for further perks, including a welcome basket and priority status for special requests, subject to availability.

If you’re still weighing it up, explore No.1 The Mansions or discover Curzon Street, or get in touch with the London team directly, they help guests choose between the two every week.

If you’re planning to catch more than one night of the BBC Proms this year, where you stay matters more than it might for a single show. The 2026 season runs for eight weeks, from 17 July to 12 September, with 86 concerts held at the Royal Albert Hall in South Kensington. No.1 The Mansions by Mansley sits within easy reach of the hall, in the heart of Kensington, which makes it a practical base for anyone building a longer stay around the season rather than a single night out.

How long does the season run, and what’s on?

The Proms is one of the longest-running classical music festivals anywhere, and the 2026 season is built around a celebration of American music, marking 250 years since the US Declaration of Independence. The First Night falls on 17 July, performed by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, and the season closes with the Last Night on 12 September. Every concert is broadcast live on BBC Radio 3, and most are available afterwards on BBC Sounds, so guests who can’t make every date can still catch up in the evenings back at the apartment.

What does a ticket cost?

Promming tickets, standing in the arena or gallery, start at £8, at time of publication, which is what keeps the Proms genuinely accessible if you’d rather drop into a handful of concerts than commit to a full season. Tickets are sold directly through the Royal Albert Hall.

Why base yourself in Kensington for it?

No.1 The Mansions is in South Kensington, with the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens all within easy reach on foot. That matters over an eight-week season. You’re not relying on a late Tube journey home after a Late Night Prom, and you’ve got a proper kitchen and living space to come back to rather than a single hotel room, which makes staying for several concerts far more liveable. The apartments range from studios up to four-bedroom apartments, so the same base works whether you’re travelling solo for a handful of dates or bringing family along for one of the season’s matinee concerts.

Make a full day of it

Kensington’s museum quarter sits close by the Royal Albert Hall, so an afternoon at the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum or the Science Museum pairs naturally with an evening Prom. Kensington High Street and Knightsbridge are also within walking distance for anyone wanting to fill a non-concert day with shopping. If you’re staying for several performances, it’s worth building in a rest day between them, particularly around the Last Night, when the area gets noticeably busier.

Good to know before you go:

• The 2026 season runs 17 July to 12 September, with the Last Night on 12 September
• Promming standing tickets start at £8, sold through the Royal Albert Hall website and box office and BBC website
• Every Prom is broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and available afterwards on BBC Sounds
• No.1 The Mansions is 1.3 miles from the Royal Albert Hall on foot, alongside Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens

Booking your stay

No.1 The Mansions offers apartments from studios to four-bedroom options, so you can match the size of the apartment to the length of your stay. Booking directly through Mansley comes with a best rate guarantee, and for every night booked direct, £1 goes towards environmental projects. Use the promo code BookDirect for further perks, including a welcome basket and priority status for special requests, subject to availability.

Take a closer look at the apartments and suites at No.1 The Mansions, or get in touch with the London team if you’re planning a stay around several Proms dates, they can help you find the right apartment for the length of your visit.