Kensington, United States
Quiet Kensington location, a five-minute walk from the Tube
Modern (if chain-like) rooms with flat-screen TVs and tea/coffee facilities
Higher-level rooms have excellent views across London
Brasserie, Asian, and British restaurants, plus grab-and-go cafe items
Club Lounge offering free drinks and snacks
Small fitness center
Free Wi-Fi throughout
On-site parking available (though expensive)
No pool or spa facilities
Reports of thin walls between rooms
Some dated and lackluster decor
Breakfast not included and gets super busy
Elevators can be slow
The huge 833-room Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington is an upper-middle-range property
set in a modern, office-like building. Its relatively quiet, upmarket setting
is the main draw, plus it's just a short walk from bustling Kensington High Street and its Tube
station. Modern, chain-like rooms have electric kettles, mini-fridges, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and in some, excellent cityscape views, but bathrooms feel a bit worn. There are several eating and drinking options, including a brasserie open for all three meals. All in all, it's not the most
polished of hotels and it lacks quality health facilities, but it's cheaper than
many of its nearby competitors and conveniently located for central London. For a slightly higher rate, the nearby Park International Hotel includes a free breakfast and more modern bathrooms.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Huge hotel with a dated facade and interiors that blend traditional and modern decor
From the
outside, this glass and brick property has more in common with an office block than a hotel -- and at 833
rooms, a pretty huge one at that. On the other side of the glass facade,
the lobby area is vast, with a wood-paneled reception desk and highly polished floors. There are a small gift shop, cafe, and a relaxed
seating area with leather chairs.
Carpeted hallways, some with wood-paneled walls, lead to the hotel's various restaurants, and three elevators (there can be waits, with so many guests) transport guests to one of 12 floors. Patterned
carpets and parquet floors are a recurrent theme in the public areas, and the overall look mixes traditional and modern styling -- though decor can be dated and worn in places. The hotel mainly
attracts business travelers with its range of on-site conference facilities, but it's also popular with tourists, particularly
over the summer months, and with large groups, as the on-site parking can accommodate buses.
Location
Peaceful setting in well-heeled Kensington and close to the Tube
Tucked
away on a quiet street in a residential area, this hotel is located in the
heart of upmarket Kensington; it's a five-minute
walk from Kensington High Street and its underground station, as well as its excellent
selection of shops and restaurants. It's 20 to 25 minutes on foot to the Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, and Science Museum. The Earls
Court Exhibition Center is a 15-minute walk. Central London is just a few Tube stops away, while
Knightsbridge and the iconic Harrods department
store are a five- to 10-minute cab ride away. Travel to
Heathrow Airport is an easy 30-minute drive or 35 minutes by train.
Rooms
Chain-like rooms with functional bathrooms and wall-mounted flat-screen TVs
This hotel
has a dizzying 833 rooms, most of which are well-maintained. They include a
slightly disjointed mixture of modern styling, traditional furnishings, and
patterned fabrics and carpeting; the overall look is part contemporary chain hotel, part British gentleman's club, but it falls a bit short of advertised four-star expectations. Amenities are decent, and include flat-screen TVs,
mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee facilities. Lackluster bathrooms
are functional and clean with shower/tub combos and the odd sign of wear. Higher-level
rooms afford some pretty decent views across London. Note that some guests have complained about noise issues from thin walls.
Features
A brasserie, Asian eatery, British restaurant, gym, and (for a fee) parking
The hotel's main Brasserie Restaurant and Bar serves a buffet breakfast
offering a good selection (not
included in the rate), and is also open for lunch and dinner. Note that the breakfast can get overrun with guests. Other eateries offer Asian or modern British cooking, and there's a cocktail bar as well as a casual cafe with grab-and-go items. Guests in the Club rooms and
suites have access to the Club Lounge, with free snacks and drinks. While there are no pool or spa facilities on-site, a small gym is available. There's ample on-site parking, but it costs a hefty daily fee. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout. There's a range of on-site conference facilities.
