Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington

This large, eight-story modern hotel is a popular choice due to its central location and impressive -- if traditional -- public spaces. There are high-end and antique cars parked outside the front entrance, and the grand lobby has high ceilings, gold pillars, and a huge crystal chandelier in the center. Beneath the chandelier is a seating area filled with contemporary armchairs and decorative sculptures. The lobby leads through to Humphrey's Bar, a popular meeting place, where guests gather and afternoon tea is served. The hotel is mainly geared towards business guests and offers extensive facilities for corporate clients. It also hosts lots of large conferences, and can feel very busy during those times. The property is tourist and child-friendly, though, and welcomes guests from around the world. 

Located on a busy city street in the heart of fashionable South Kensington on Gloucester Road, the hotel is just a minute’s walk from the Gloucester Road Tube station, and a 10-minute walk from South Kensington Tube. The property is directly attached to a casino and there are many excellent restaurants and bars within a two-minute walk. The location is ideal for tourists as many of London’s top attractions are also within walking distance. The Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, The Royal Albert Hall, and Hyde Park are all within a 10-minute walk. The Millennium Conference Centre is right next to the hotel for those in town for business events. London Heathrow Airport is 30 minutes away by car, depending on traffic, or 45 minutes by tube. Gatwick Airport will take about 50 minutes to reach by tube and Gatwick Express train.

While the hotel's once futuristic sounding name may conjure images of sharp, sleek spaces, the 610 guest rooms here are a bit of a let down. Although the rooms are spacious, the cherry wood furniture and cream color scheme feels rather drab, bland, and dated, a look that isn't helped much by the gold-framed generic wall art and patterned wallpaper. Some of the rooms feel quite shabby as well, with scuffmarks on the walls and other signs of wear and tear. Overall, a renovation might be in order, as they don’t match up to the hotel’s public spaces. All rooms have minibars, air-conditioning, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, desks, and safes. Those staying in Club Rooms also get a free daily newspaper, free Wi-Fi, and have access to the Club Lounge with additional perks. Large suites are also available that offer even more space and access to the Club Lounge as well plus free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are a bit dowdy, with dated tiling, shower/tub combos, generous granite vanities, toiletries, and hairdryers.

The hotel has four restaurants on-site. Olives serves traditional Italian cuisine; the Bombay Brasserie is a popular Indian restaurant; Bugis Street is a modern brasserie serving Cantonese and Singaporean cuisine; and Southwest 7 serves an international buffet every evening and is also open for breakfast. Most rooms do not receive free breakfast as part of standard rates. Humphrey's Bar also serves sandwiches and afternoon tea, as well as a range of hot and cold drinks. Twenty-four-hour room service is available as well. Guests in suites and Club Rooms have access to the Club Lounge, where a free breakfast spread is served as well as free newspapers and magazines.

The hotel has a fitness center with rowing machines, treadmills, exercise bikes, weights, and step machines. A business center offers internet access and printing, scanning, photocopying, and faxing. There are also 11 meeting rooms on-site. Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, although there is a charge for all guests apart from those staying in the Club Rooms. There's a large car park on-site for guests, but there is a daily fee. For those traveling with children, amenities such as high chairs, cots, and children's menus are available. For an additional fee, special items can be arranged for the room such as a teddy bear, candy, organic children's shampoo, and ice cream on arrival.