West Kensington, United States
Close to Earls Court convention center
Modern, clean rooms
Large bar and lounge with plenty of flat-screen TVs
Secure underground car park
Business center (albeit tiny) with computers and printer
Free breakfast and Wi-Fi
A little far from nearby tube stations
Fee for parking and spots can fill up fast
Local area is not very exciting
This Holiday Inn Express is a three-pearl hotel located close to the Earls Court convention center in West London. With 150 bright and well-adorned rooms, a large lounge bar and breakfast area, a business center, and underground parking, this mid-range hotel has a fresh, modern feel to it. The only real downside of the hotel is its immediate location, which doesn't have a good selection of shops, bars, or restaurants, not to mention the 10-minute walk to the closest tube station. Also, the garage fills up fast and there is a fee for parking.
Scene
Modern and well kept chain hotel
Constructed in 2005 and renovated in 2012, this Holiday Inn Express features fresh and new spaces that are well laid out. Hallways are wide and public areas are open-concept, giving the feeling of excess space which is a rare luxury in London. Guest rooms have a vibrant feel, with bright colors, abstract artwork, and unique lighting fixtures. The bar and lounge area is richly decorated with soft turquoises and browns and is outfitted with sleek modern furniture, which works wonderfully with the large open space.
Location
Near the Earls Court convention center and the Chelsea Football Club Stadium, but little else
Guests arriving by tube may find their walking journey a lot longer than expected when compared with other London hotels, as it takes approximately 10 minutes to arrive by foot from the West Kensington and Earls Court stations (though Earls Court at least has a direct link to Heathrow Airport on the Piccadilly Line). With that said, the hotel is very close to the Earls Court convention center and therefore hosts many conference attendees. It's also near the Chelsea Football Club's stadium, and draws soccer fans on Saturdays and Sundays in the fall, winter, and spring months. The immediate area of the hotel has a few small cafes and kebab shops to choose from, but is definitely lacking quality bars, restaurants, and stores.
Rooms
Well-furnished for a three-pearl property
The rooms of this Holiday Inn Express are spacious, spotless, and well designed, which is more than can be said about most four-pearl hotels in the area, let alone three-pearl properties. Rooms have simple, contemporary furnishings that are offset by colorful accents in vivid hues of reds or blues. They all come standard with free instant coffee and tea, as well as biscuits. High-tech amenities include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are especially comfortable, with free toiletries as well as sleek showers and sinks. The rooms are definitely the selling point of the hotel, as they offer more space and a higher standard of design than expected from a mid-range hotel.
Features
Some helpful free services and extras
The hotel has some solid freebies for guests to enjoy, including Wi-Fi throughout the building and free breakfast which includes eggs, sausages, fruit, cereals, and hot drinks. Breakfast is served daily in the lounge area, which is also a perk, with plenty of flat-screen TVs and wall outlets for devices. There's also a tiny business center with several computers and a printer for guests to use. An underground parking facility is also available, though there are limited spots and a fee to use it.