There is something rather lovely about arriving at a London hotel where the children are considered every bit as much as the grown-ups, while still feeling like an adult-focused stay. At The Kensington, our welcome came in two distinct forms. For the kids, a basket filled with colouring, stickers, London Top Trumps, fruit and sweets. For us, a half bottle of Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV sat chilling on ice, ready to be poured. Everybody, it seemed, had been accounted for.

Set on Queen’s Gate in South Kensington, The Kensington Hotel is part of The Doyle Collection, the Irish family-owned luxury hospitality group whose hotels span London, Dublin, Cork, Bristol and Washington DC. The hotel itself occupies a handsome collection of period townhouses, their white stucco façades providing exactly the sort of grand London arrival this part of the capital does so well. Inside, high ceilings, open fires, chandeliers, rich fabrics, artworks and beautifully layered drawing rooms create the atmosphere of a particularly well-appointed private home rather than a conventional city hotel.

For families (we had Jaxon, 9, and Lyla, 11 in tow), its position is difficult to better. The Natural History Museum, Science Museum and V&A are all within easy walking distance, which meant we could explore some of London’s greatest collections without negotiating taxis or repeatedly disappearing underground. Kensington Gardens, the Royal Albert Hall and Harrods are close too, giving a mini break here an enviable amount of London within strolling distance.

Upstairs, the hotel’s rooms and suites continue the townhouse character. No two are quite identical, with layouts dictated by the original architecture, while statement wallpapers, sumptuous fabrics, characterful furniture and marble bathrooms blend Victorian influence with contemporary comfort. The Kensington has everything from cosy and classic rooms through to family accommodation, studio suites and three statement signature suites, making it particularly adaptable for longer stays or families wanting more space.

Our room, complete with two Queen beds, table, desk and city views became a welcome retreat between museum visits and meals, but much of the appeal of The Kensington lies downstairs.

Afternoon tea is something of an institution here, served among the drawing rooms where sofas, armchairs and low tables encourage you to settle in properly. The hotel’s seasonal afternoon tea takes the quintessential British ritual seriously, with delicate savouries, freshly baked plain and fruit scones and beautifully crafted patisserie arriving alongside welcome Nyetimber bubbles, proper pots of tea and, much to the small Ready’s delight, thick hot chocolate for the kids.

By early evening, local area perused, we were ready for something more substantial (and stronger!).

The acclaimed K Bar is strictly adults only, so family aperitifs were instead enjoyed in the lounge, which hardly felt like a compromise. My ‘Selkie’ combined Santiago de Cuba 11-year-old rum with Mancino Kopi vermouth, Mr Black and coffee, creating a dark, silky cocktail with roasted coffee bitterness, warming rum and a lingering almost chocolate-like richness. Across the table, Mr R’s ‘Shibuya’ paired The Busker single malt whiskey with sesame, Mancino Sakura vermouth and aromatic bitters. Nutty, gently floral and warming, it was a clever combination with enough whisky character remaining beneath its more unusual Japanese-inspired notes.

Dinner followed at Town House, the hotel’s relaxed yet refined (and aptly named) restaurant, where interconnected rooms retain the intimacy of private dining spaces.

We began with fresh Irish soda bread followed by beef carpaccio, the delicate beef offset by burnt figs whose jammy sweetness worked beautifully against peppery rocket and salty Parmesan. The Townhouse chicken Caesar (a dish in its own right but shared for a lighter starter across the table) proffered succulent chicken, crisp leaves, Grana Padano, egg and crunchy sour dough croutons.

Then came our classic main course picks. Swayed by the wonderful Chandon, who effortlessly navigated the delights of dining with excitable kids that ranged from indepth stories about the most recent plane to land at Heathrow (the hotel is in the flight path and offers plane-fascinated kids great views) to requests for yet more ketchup and mocktails, we went straight to the grill section which offers grass-fed Black Angus steaks as either sirloin, fillet or ribeye cuts. Cooked with confidence, the steaks were deeply caramelised on the outside while remaining tender and juicy within. Mr R veered Kentish, opting for the Dover sole meunière. Beautifully handled, the delicate flesh pulling cleanly from the bone beneath nutty butter and citrus. Buttered baby potatoes scattered with herbs provided the more virtuous accompaniment, although the crisp fries disappeared considerably faster.

A glass of Durigutti Malbec from Mendoza was made for the beer, full of ripe blackberry and plum with violet notes, gentle spice and enough structure to stand alongside the steak without overpowering it.

Dessert returned us firmly to sweet comfort. Mr R’s classic crème brûlée delivered that all-important crack of caramelised sugar before giving way to cool vanilla custard, served with summer berries and shortbread. While the kids’ dark chocolate fondants was the richer pick, its soft centre (aided by my spare spoon) spilled into seasonal fruit coulis while vanilla ice cream slowly melted alongside. Sweet, sharp, hot and cold, it was the perfect pudding – one the smalls regretted offering to share!

The Kensington manages family hospitality particularly well because it never allows being family-friendly to define the whole experience. Children are welcomed with thoughtful touches and some of London’s best attractions virtually on the doorstep, while adults still have Champagne on ice, beautifully mixed cocktails, accomplished cooking and the polished service expected of a five-star London hotel.

By the time we returned upstairs, London Top Trumps scattered across the pillow, the last of the Champagne waiting in the bottle, The Kensington had achieved something rather clever. It had given us a proper family break in London while still making it feel like a luxury escape.