In Victorian townhouse on quiet leafy street
A five-minute walk from two Tube stations
All rooms have flat-screen TVs; some have elegant cast-iron fireplaces
Updated, contemporary bathrooms with heated towel racks
Breakfast available for a fee
Free Wi-Fi throughout
No elevator and
lots of stairs
Sparse facilities
Kensington
Gardens Hotel is a no-frills budget hotel set in a typical Victorian townhouse
in the leafy central-west neighborhood of Bayswater. While there's little that distinguishes
this property from many in the area, a 2015 renovation means rooms -- and especially
bathrooms -- are clean and well-presented. There's not much in terms of facilities beyond the rooms,
however, and the lack of an elevator can mean lots of stair-climbing. Overall, though, the location allows for easy access to central London and the competitive rates make this a good
pick for the budget-conscious.
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
Updated budget hotel in typical Victorian terrace townhouse
With its Grecian-style
columns, spearhead railings, and facade adorned with neoclassical touches, Kensington Gardens Hotel is
indistinguishable from many of the other Victorian townhouses in the area. The entrance is unassuming and the interiors, underwhelming, but there are a few original
period features such as ornate coving and a stone fireplace. Heavy fabrics and gilt-framed mirrors contribute to an old-fashioned ambience, and despite
renovations in 2015, wood paneling and patterned carpets look dated. Clientele tend towards the budget traveler end of the market, while
lack of elevator and plenty of stairs might put off guests with mobility concerns.
Location
Set in West London's leafy Bayswater, a short walk from Hyde Park
The hotel is
located on a relatively quiet and leafy street, just a block from the tourist
hub of Queensway in west-central London. The Bayswater and Queensway Tube stations
are within a five-minute walk of the hotel, and it's then just a few stops from either to
the city center. The green expanse of Hyde Park and the Diana Memorial Playground
is a 10-minute walk, while trendy Notting Hill takes about 15 minutes to reach on foot. The
transport hub of Paddington Railway Station is a five-minute cab trip; from here, guests can reach Heathrow Airport in 15 minutes on the Heathrow Express.
Rooms
Simply, traditionally styled rooms with contemporary bathrooms
The hotel has 17
rooms, all of which are decorated in simple, traditional decor with
antique-style furnishings and art prints. Amenities include flat-screen TVs and kettles, while some rooms have original
19th-century features such as cast-iron fireplaces. Updated bathrooms are
particularly well-presented, with heated towel racks and walk-in showers or
shower/tub combos. Some rooms are prone to a little street noise and the
hotel's Single Rooms are tiny.
Features
Breakfast service, free Wi-Fi, luggage storage, and little else
There's very
little else to the hotel beyond the rooms, though there is a basic breakfast service
available (not included in the rate). Luggage storage is also available and
Wi-Fi is free of charge throughout the property.
