Stylish, serene lobby designed around Feng Shui principles
Located just west of central London, one block from the Gloucester Road Tube Station
In-room technology includes free Wi-Fi, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs
Executive Rooms include access to a club lounge with free breakfast, drinks, and snacks
Each room comes with aromatherapy-based sleep aid kit
Pan-Asian restaurant and cocktail bar on-site
Peaceful rear garden with heating, seating, and canopy
On-site fitness center and sauna
Room service
Some rooms show signs of wear
Charges for breakfast
Road-facing rooms can be noisy
No on-site parking (though public parking is nearby for a fee)
The 162-room Crowne Plaza London Kensington has a lot of local competition, but it's gone to great lengths to stand out from the crowd. The attention-grabbing lobby impresses, while a sleek cocktail bar, Pan-Asian restaurant, and lovely rear garden distinguish the hotel. Rooms are cozy with good technology, though some show signs of wear (renovations are slated for the end of 2014). Location is good for central London, and the Gloucester Road Tube Station is one block away, though the hotel is set on a busy thoroughfare. Rates are average for this caliber of London hotel, however you might save a bit at the nearby Radisson Blu Edwardian Vanderbilt.
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Scene
Serene, stylish chain hotel with typical Georgian townhouse exterior
From the outside there's little to distinguish this Crowne Plaza hotel from the slew of other hotels housed in the white-columned, Georgian terrace townhouses typical of the area. However, a smart glass and steel entrance guarded by a solitary canine statue soon suggests something a little different, and the lobby doesn't disappoint. Designed with Feng Shui principles, the sleek reception area includes a dazzling array of reflective surfaces, from the polished marble floor to silver rococo pillars and glass paneling to floor-to-ceiling mirrors. A black slate water feature also symbolizes prosperity, while a congregation of metallic pebbles bounce light off a central, ultra-modern take on a chandelier. The atmosphere is tranquil, East Asian-inspired chic, feeling a world away from what you might expect from a chain hotel experience. Clientele are split between the well-heeled tourist and business guest, and rooms are very much styled to reflect this.
Location
Set on busy main road to the west of the capital's center and one block from the nearest tube
The hotel is located on the busy Cromwell Road, a major artery running through west-central London. The nearest tube station is Gloucester Road, a block away, which runs to the transport hub of Victoria Station in about five minutes or Paddington in 10. The green expanse of Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park is about 15 minutes away on foot, while the nightlife of Soho and the West End is a 20-minute cab journey. The renowned Natural History and Victoria and Albert museums are also both within a 10-minute walk. There isn't any parking at the hotel but there is a nearby public lot for a fee.
Rooms
Cozy rooms with iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and sleep aid kits
The hotel has a total of 162 rooms, all of which are decorated in a cozy and homey style with patterned fabrics, carpeted floors, and throw cushions. Furnishings are sleek and contemporary with funky armchairs and swivel desk chairs. Standard in-room amenities include iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with free view channels and pay movies. Clean and contemporary bathrooms provide quality toiletries, while a nice extra (and now a standard in Crowne Plaza hotels) is a sleep aid kit which includes two aromatherapy products. Some rooms are showing signs of wear, though refurbishments are planned for late 2014. Executive Level rooms include free access to a private lounge with complimentary goodies like breakfast, booze, and snacks.
Features
Restaurant, cocktail bar, fitness center, and garden with covered and heated seating area
The hotel's Umami restaurant is a stylish and contemporary eatery offering a comprehensive selection of Pan-Asian dishes, which can also be ordered via room service. The Bar is an extension of the impressive lobby space and includes a list of signature cocktails and live jazz on the weekends. To the rear of the hotel is a peaceful garden area with seating terrace, canopy, and gas heaters for alfresco refreshments. The Lounge features particularly impressive interior design while the Club Lounge offers free papers and drinks buffet. A fitness center with modern Technoygym equipment and a sauna can also be found on-site.
