Holiday Inn London – Kensington High Street

The large brick building that houses Kensington Close Hotel doesn’t effectively reflect its modern and stylish interiors. The hotel was refurbished in 2012 and features sleek, elegant design with artsy touches. Brown and cream colors are accented by crimson details in the spacious lobby, where trendy high-backed chairs are placed here and there, while sofas provide seating in front of floor-to-ceiling windows. Artistic prints of blurred female figures hang on the walls throughout the hotel, an inspired touch that gives a bit of character to the seating nooks dotted about the property. Other public areas and hallways have a more elegant design, with glossy tiled floors, stylish carpeting, velour seating, and potted plants. The restaurant itself has an intimate vibe thanks to low lighting, white tablecloths, and just the right hint of playful tones in printed floral carpets, large statement circular lights, and maroon-colored booths. The same can be said of the back-lit bar and the area it services with its wooden floors that turn into fashionable carpet, mirror displays, and velour and printed armchairs around small wooden tables. Couples are particularly drawn to the hotel for its range in amenities, while business guests are catered to with a large number of meeting rooms. 

Kensington Close Hotel is located on a fairly busy main road, within walking distance of many restaurants and bars. The area is well serviced by public transportation, with a bus stop that’s two minutes from the hotel, and South Kensington Station a five-minute walk away. There are some popular attractions within walking distance, such as the Natural History Museum (seven-minute walk), Victoria and Albert Museum (10-minute walk), and Kensington Palace (20-minute walk). The location is convenient for those visiting Imperial College, which is only an eight-minute walk away. Heathrow Airport is about a 40-minute drive or 50 minutes via public transportation, while Gatwick Airport can be reached in an hour by either car or public transit.

The 708 rooms at the Kensington Close Hotel are modern in style, though they're individually designed. Only the Executive Club Rooms are spacious and feature a trendy style that befits a hotel of this rating, with dark navy tones, patterned carpets, stylish wooden furniture, velour armchairs, and black-and-white photographs on the walls. By contrast, the Standard, Superior, Executive, and Family Rooms are attractive enough -- if slightly chain-like and dated -- with warm wood headboards, red carpets, white linens, and streamlined blond-wood furniture. 

Many guests have complained about the lack of space in the rooms, which isn’t uncommon for Europe, though perhaps a bit unexpected of a four-pearl hotel. Amenities include flat-screen TVs, kettles, safes, and Wi-Fi for a fee. Executive or Executive Club Rooms have added perks like free bottled water; mini-fridges are provided in Executive Club Rooms only, and can be stocked upon request. Neutral-toned bathrooms don’t offer a lot of space, but are modern, with either small showers, shower/tub combos, or separate showers and tubs (in Executive Club Rooms). Essential Elements toiletries are offered in lower-level rooms, while Molton Brown toiletries are stocked in the Executive Rooms; all rooms come with hairdryers.

There’s little in the way of free features at the Kensington Close Hotel. Parking costs a fee, and only those staying in Executive Rooms are provided free Wi-Fi access. There’s a lovely spa with a sauna, steam room, hot tub, beauty treatments, and massages. Fitness lovers might appreciate an indoor lap pool that offers aquatic classes and a fully equipped gym with cardio and weight machines. Use of the pool, spa, and gym incurs a fee, however -- but they're free for guests staying in Executive Club Rooms.

The on-site restaurant serves modern European cuisine for lunch and dinner, plus a full English breakfast buffet is also available (for an extra fee, but included in Executive Club Room rates). The bar provides afternoon tea and cocktails throughout the day and evening. Room service is available 24/7 as well. Business guests are drawn to the hotel for its 13 fully equipped meeting rooms that hold up to 250 people and a business center with two desktops, a printer, and a flat-screen TV. In good weather, guests can take advantage of the outdoor patio garden with a pond and outdoor furniture for seating.