Photo courtesy The Coach and Horses
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Few travel pleasures can quite match that of being able to walk to a destination’s must-visit attractions. This is especially true if, like Kew Gardens, that place just so happens to be on your London bucket list.
If you’re looking to make a weekend- or mid-week getaway of your visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, take a look at this list of top-notch places to stay near what is undoubtedly one of the world’s best (if not the best) botanical gardens. Each of these hotels in Richmond Upon Thames is not only rated highly on review sites such as TripAdvisor, they’re within walking distance of Kew, meaning you’ll have a hassle free visit.
Each property connects to Kew Gardens via different routes. Walking from Richmond follows either the A307 (less scenic but direct) or the Thames Path (longer but picturesque). Most hotels can also arrange bicycle rentals, cutting travel time to under 10 minutes. During summer events like Kew the Music, hotels often provide shuttle services or can arrange taxis, as parking at the gardens isn’t available for evening concerts.
Find out more with LuxuryUK’s recommendations of the best luxury hotels near Kew Gardens Richmond.
Luxury Hotels Near Kew Gardens Richmond
The Coach and Horses
Claiming the prize for proximity, The Coach and Horses sits directly on Kew Green just five minutes from the Victoria Gate entrance. This 17th-century coaching inn maintains its historic character with exposed beams and original fireplaces, though the six rooms above the pub have been thoroughly modernized and feature rainfall showers, Egyptian cotton bedding, and Roberts radios alongside period furniture.
The ground-floor gastropub draws locals and visitors alike with its seasonal British menu – think pan-fried sea bass with samphire or slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Room rates start at £90, making it one of the more affordable options despite the prime location. Note that being above a popular pub means some noise on weekend evenings, but hey, that’s just an excuse to join in the fun, right?
LuxuryUK Recommends: To find out more about one of the best hotels near Kew Gardens Richmond, visit The Coach and Horses
Kew Gardens Hotel
Just a few doors down from the Coach and Horses, Kew Gardens Hotel occupies a Victorian building 10-minutes stroll away from the main attraction. This 20-room property recently underwent renovations that added underfloor heating to the bathrooms and vintage-style telephones that actually work. Room categories range from compact doubles to family suites that sleep four, with the Feature Doubles including freestanding copper bathtubs positioned near the windows.
The restaurant serves dishes like prawn linguine and ribeye steaks, with a bar that stocks local craft beers alongside the usual spirits. Dogs can join their owners in the bar area, though not in the restaurant or bedrooms. Rates begin at £76 per night.
LuxuryUK Recommends: To find out more about one of the best hotels near Kew Gardens Richmond, visit Kew Gardens Hotel
Bingham Riverhouse
Sure, Bingham Riverhouse requires a 25-minute walk or a quick ride on the 65 bus, but its Thames-side setting makes it all worthwhile. Built as a pair of Georgian townhouses in 1740, the property houses just 15 rooms, each named after a French poet. The Baudelaire Suite spans the entire top floor with skylights and river views, while the Rimbaud Room features a copper bathtub positioned for Thames watching.
Head chef Steven Edwards oversees a kitchen that has earned three AA rosettes, with menus changing seasonally; summer might bring heritage tomatoes with stracciatella or John Dory with coastal vegetables. The cocktail bar specializes in gin-based drinks, with over 40 varieties available. A mandatory £10 nightly service charge gets added to bills.
LuxuryUK Recommends: To find out more, visit Bingham Riverhouse
Richmond Hill Hotel
About 20 minutes on foot from Kew or 10 minutes by bus, Richmond Hill Hotel dates all the way back to 1726 and even spent a spell as a fashionable spa before becoming a hotel. The 2019 renovation created two distinct room categories: Georgian Collection rooms retain period features like sash windows and decorative moldings, while Hill Collection rooms sport bold colors and contemporary furnishings. All Hill Collection beds feature hand-stitched mattresses from Heal’s of London topped with Hungarian goose down duvets.
Restaurant 144 on the Hill occupies a glass-roofed space where chef Jessen Valaydon prepares dishes using ingredients from local suppliers, including Richmond Park venison, which appears regularly on autumn menus. The 24-hour gym includes Technogym equipment and overlooks the gardens. Summer rates start around £135.
LuxuryUK Recommends: To find out more, visit Richmond Hill Hotel
The Petersham Hotel
The 4-star Petersham Hotel sits two miles from Kew Gardens on Nightingale Lane, overlooking the Thames and Petersham Meadows where cattle still graze. While the distance seems substantial, a choice of routes make the journey pleasant: walk along the Thames Path (30 minutes), catch the 65 bus (15 minutes), or drive (10 minutes).
This 1863 property maintains its Victorian grandeur with 58 rooms spread across the main building and adjacent River House. Superior rooms feature private balconies with meadow views, while the Deluxe Suites include separate sitting areas with working fireplaces.
The hotel grows vegetables and herbs at Petersham Nurseries, which appear on menus in the restaurant. Afternoon tea includes homemade scones with jam made from fruit grown in the hotel’s kitchen garden. The drawing room, with its elegant ceiling plasterwork ceiling, provides an atmospheric setting for pre-dinner drinks. Rates begin at £180.
LuxuryUK Recommends: To find out more about one of the best Kew Gardens area hotels, visit The Petersham Hotel
Harbour Hotel Richmond
Harbour Hotel Richmond brings a contemporary 4-star touch to the area, with interiors featuring botanical wallpapers and jewel-toned furnishings. The main draw is the fact it’s also home to Richmond’s only luxury hotel spa, equipped with six treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, and outdoor hot tub set in a walled garden. Spa packages can be added to overnight stays.
The 84 rooms range from Cosy Doubles (compact but cleverly designed) to the Richmond Suite with a freestanding bathtub overlooking the town. Each room includes complimentary gin from the hotel’s own label, as well as Bramley toiletries. The restaurant opens to an outdoor terrace used for summer barbecues and cocktail evenings. Located 20 minutes from Kew Gardens, rates start at around £200.
LuxuryUK Recommends: To find out more, visit Harbour Hotel Richmond
The Selwyn Hotel
The newest addition to Richmond’s hotel scene, The Selwyn occupies a restored Victorian townhouse at 1 Richmond Hill. The 15 rooms each feature different designs: the Garden Room overlooks the private courtyard, while the Tower Suite occupies the building’s turret with 180-degree views. Bathrooms stock Bamford toiletries, and each room includes a Nespresso machine, and homemade cookies replenished daily.
The location puts guests between Richmond’s shopping district and the route to Kew Gardens, about 20 minutes away on foot. The ground-floor lounge serves breakfast until 11am on weekends and transforms into a wine bar in the evenings. Rates start at £140.
LuxuryUK Recommends: Visit The Selwyn Hotel’s website for the latest details, including reviews and rates.
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Travel and lifestyles writer Bryan Dearsley is Editor of LuxuryUK, a leading source of news and reviews relating to luxury lifestyles and travel in the United Kingdon.
