Number Sixteen occupies a row of white-stucco Victorian townhouses on Sumner Place, a quiet street in the heart of South Kensington. A Firmdale hotel with restful Kit Kemp interiors, around 41 individually designed rooms, an honesty-bar drawing room, a conservatory and a beautiful private garden, it has the intimate feel of a stylish London home. This guide covers exactly how to reach it.
01 / LOCATIONWhere exactly is Number Sixteen?
The hotel is at 16 Sumner Place, South Kensington, SW7 3EG, on a leafy residential street just off the Old Brompton Road, a short walk from the museums. It sits in the Congestion Charge zone and the ULEZ, on a quiet one-way street — so for arrivals, a clean drop where the team can meet you is the sensible approach.
02 / THE SETTINGA stylish South Kensington townhouse
Number Sixteen feels like a friend's beautifully decorated home, with fresh Kit Kemp colour, contemporary art and a calm, residential atmosphere. There's no restaurant, but breakfast, light meals and afternoon tea are served in the conservatory and the lovely garden with its pond and fountain, and drinks come from an honesty bar in the drawing room. Whichever brings you here, the point for arrival is the same: it's a hotel of quiet charm, so the journey to its door deserves the same composure.
03 / STATIONSNearest stations and getting around
The hotel is well served by South Kensington's stations:
- South Kensington (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines) is about a five-minute walk and is closest, by the museums.
- Gloucester Road (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines) is a similar distance.
- West Brompton and the King's Road buses are within easy reach.
The links are good. The catch on arrival day is the familiar one: easy travelling light, far harder with luggage, after a flight, with a change and a walk from the station at the end.
04 / AIRPORTSAirport transfer times to Number Sixteen
Number Sixteen draws guests from around the world. The board below gives realistic door-to-door driving times for a pre-booked private hire car. Treat them as a planning guide; central London traffic has its own ideas.
From Heathrow
London City is marginally the closest airport, to the east, with Heathrow a similar run to the west. From Heathrow the Piccadilly line runs direct to South Kensington or Gloucester Road nearby — convenient, but a long ride with luggage. A direct Heathrow airport transfer by car removes that, with the driver meeting you in arrivals and bringing you straight to Sumner Place.
From the other airports
London City lies to the east; Gatwick connects by the Gatwick Express to Victoria, while Luton and Stansted sit further out. From each, the rail route ends in a Tube ride and a walk; for a group, or anyone with luggage, one car and one fixed price is the gentler option.
A stylish townhouse retreat — the arrival should feel just as composed.
05 / THE EASY WAYArriving in style — train, Tube or private hire?
There's no single right answer. Coming light from elsewhere in town? The Tube to South Kensington works well. A pre-booked private hire transfer tends to win when arrival matters most:
- You're arriving with luggage after a flight and would rather be met and driven to the door than change trains.
- You're travelling as a family or group and would value a saloon, executive car, MPV or larger vehicle together.
- You want a fixed fare known before you travel — no surge, no meter ticking in central traffic.
- Your flight time is uncertain — a tracked driver simply adjusts and waits.
Why this helps at Number Sixteen: the hotel sits on a quiet one-way residential street with no car park and the Congestion Charge in force. A local driver knows the cleanest set-down on Sumner Place where the team can meet you, rather than circling the one-way streets.
06 / NEARBYWhat's around Number Sixteen
Number Sixteen sits in the heart of the museum quarter:
- The V&A, Natural History & Science Museums — the great museums a short walk east.
- The Royal Albert Hall & Kensington Gardens — the concert hall and royal park a few minutes north.
- Harrods & Knightsbridge — the famous store a short ride east.
- The King's Road & Chelsea — the boutiques and restaurants a short walk south.
07 / FAQFrequently asked questions
Where is Number Sixteen?
Number Sixteen is at 16 Sumner Place, South Kensington, SW7 3EG, a leafy street near the museums. The nearest Tube is South Kensington, about a five-minute walk.
What's the nearest station to Number Sixteen?
South Kensington (Circle, District and Piccadilly lines) is about a five-minute walk and is closest, with Gloucester Road a similar distance.
How do I get from Heathrow to Number Sixteen?
Heathrow is around 14 miles away, roughly 40 to 80 minutes by car depending on traffic. The Piccadilly line runs direct to South Kensington, but it's a long ride with luggage; a pre-booked car runs door to door with the fare fixed in advance.
Is there parking or drop-off at Number Sixteen?
There is no hotel car park, and the hotel is in the Congestion Charge and ULEZ zones on a quiet one-way street. There is a set-down point on Sumner Place where the team can meet you; most guests arrive by car or Tube.
Is a pre-booked car worth it for arriving at the hotel?
Yes. After a long flight or with a family and luggage, a pre-booked car with a fixed fare, a driver who knows the Sumner Place set-down and no surge pricing makes arriving calm and easy.
Can I book a fixed-price transfer to Number Sixteen in advance?
Yes. With Rushxo you can book online or by WhatsApp at any hour, with the fare confirmed before you ride, no surge pricing and 24/7 human support.
Time Matters
Arrive at Number Sixteen the easy way
Fixed-fare private hire to and from Number Sixteen, South Kensington SW7. Local drivers, flight tracking, no surge — confirmed before you ride.