Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum

Holiday Inn London
Kensington Forum was renovated in 2010 and prides itself as a business-friendly
hotel, though most of its clientele are couples looking to explore London without paying to be in the city center. The hotel also draws in families with deals that offer kids free lodging or meals. It’s a bustling
atmosphere inside the hotel; there are usually lines waiting to check-in, at the
elevator, and at breakfast. The 27-story building has large
open spaces with a contemporary vibe. The lobby looks like an airport with glossy floors, a large
front desk with multiple attendants to accommodate the large number of
guests, and pleather couches and chairs set on gray industrial carpet in front of floor-to-ceiling windows for
seating. Hallways are drab with dated carpet and cream or red walls. Like the
hotel, the restaurant and breakfast room have a slightly modern style with simplistic, stream-lined
tables, wooden floors, and hints of color such as green glasses, colorful
leather seats, and abstract art on the wall.  

Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum is located on the
southwest side of central London, and it's better connected to public transportation than it is to walkable tourist destinations.
It’s a two-minute walk to a bus stop and a three-minute walk from Gloucester Road
Station. Earls Court Exhibition Center takes 14 minutes on foot to reach. It
takes a 17-minute walk to Kensington Palace, while the Natural History Museum
is a nine-minute walk away. Buckingham Palace is about an 11-minute drive.
London Heathrow Airport takes 22 minutes by car to reach. There are numerous convenience stores, fast food outlets, and places to grab coffee within a five-minute walk of the hotel. On-site parking incurs a daily and costly fee, which is common in London. 

Rooms are on the
small side and have a simple, basic decor that falls somewhere in the middle of the spectrum between ugly and stylish. Industrial carpeted floors, blond wooden furniture, and simple framed
prints on the walls make up each of the rooms. The color palettes are understated, mostly white, navy,
tan, and gray, but remain overall pleasant and homey. Amenities are fairly typical for
this chain, and include flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and
free Wi-Fi. Some rooms have mini-fridges, and Family Rooms might have pullout
sofas. Executive Rooms are outfitted with free bottled water and a chocolate
bar. The basic
white-tiled bathrooms are small and feature shower/tub combos, but have plenty of
counter space, free toiletries, and hairdryers. Like in many hotels in London, the water pressure is low. Also note that guests have complained about cleanliness and maintenance issues in the past. 

The Holiday Inn London
Kensington Forum is a business-friendly hotel with amenities to benefit working travelers. There are 13 different-sized meeting rooms with a total capacity
of 300 people. They’re equipped with audiovisual equipment and come with
packages that could include free coffee all day, fruit and beverages, meals in
the restaurant, and free perks for the organizer. The Business Lounge is
available to Executive Room guests and provides business services, free breakfast,
and snacks. There’s also public computers in a hallway for guest use and free
Wi-Fi throughout the property. The hotel has one restaurant, the Consortia, which serves three meals a day, plus afternoon tea and 24-hour room service. There's also the Forum Room, a breakfast room that serves a full English breakfast buffet for a fee. The substantial buffet includes traditional British options like beans, sausage, and black pudding -- along with a selection of cereals, fruit, and pastries. Kids under the age of 12 eat for free. Monthly events
like Caribbean Nights and Sunday Jazz Lunch are held in the dining areas. Cromwell
Tavern is a traditional English pub attached to the hotel for beers and cocktails. There’s a Starbucks
on-site, which is convenient. The Holiday Inn also offers a 24-hour gym. And kids under 18 stay for free as well.