Kensington, United States
In London's South Kensington, a three-minute walk from the tube
Bar plus four restaurants, including Italian and Indian
Business center and 11 meeting rooms available
Fitness center on-site with treadmills and rowing machines
Spacious guest rooms with air-conditioning and coffeemakers
Club Lounge with free breakfast for Club Room guests
One-minute walk from Gloucester Road Tube station
10-minute walk from many tourist attractions
Large car park on-site (although it's not free)
Guest rooms are dated
Breakfast is not included in standard room rates
Wi-Fi is only free for those in higher category rooms
There are 610 guest rooms at this three-and-a-half-pearl property set in London’s
South Kensington neighborhood. It’s on a bustling street and only a short stroll from business destinations, tourist sights, and the Gloucester Road Tube station. Guest rooms are spacious, but dated, and don’t live up to the elegance of the property’s public areas or the modern notions inspired by the hotel's name. There are some good facilities on-site, including a bar and four restaurants, as well as fitness and business centers. Expect to pay extra for Wi-Fi, parking, and
breakfast. It’s worth comparing with the nearby NH Harrington Hall Hotel, though, where the guest rooms are more modern and stylish.
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
Large hotel with traditional style that's popular with business guests
This large, eight-story modern hotel is a popular choice due to its central
location and impressive -- if traditional -- public spaces. There are high-end and antique cars
parked outside the front entrance, and the grand lobby has high ceilings, gold
pillars, and a huge crystal chandelier in the center. Beneath the chandelier is
a seating area filled with contemporary armchairs and decorative sculptures. The
lobby leads through to Humphrey's Bar, a popular meeting place, where guests
gather and afternoon tea is served. The hotel is mainly geared towards business
guests and offers extensive facilities for corporate clients. It also hosts
lots of large conferences, and can feel very busy during those times. The
property is tourist and child-friendly, though, and welcomes guests
from around the world.
Location
In upmarket South Kensington, near many attractions
Located on a busy city street in the heart of fashionable South Kensington on Gloucester Road, the hotel is just a minute’s walk from the Gloucester
Road Tube station, and a 10-minute walk from South Kensington Tube. The
property is directly attached to a casino and there are many excellent restaurants
and bars within a two-minute walk. The location is ideal for tourists as many
of London’s top attractions are also within walking distance. The Natural History
Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, The Royal Albert Hall,
and Hyde Park are all within a 10-minute walk. The Millennium Conference Centre is
right next to the hotel for those in town for business events. London Heathrow Airport is 30
minutes away by car, depending on traffic, or 45 minutes by tube. Gatwick Airport will take about 50 minutes to reach by tube and Gatwick Express train.
Rooms
Spacious rooms with dated decor
While the hotel's once futuristic sounding name may conjure images of sharp, sleek spaces, the 610 guest rooms here are a bit of a let down. Although the rooms are spacious, the cherry wood furniture and cream color scheme feels rather drab, bland, and dated, a look that isn't helped much by the gold-framed generic wall art and patterned wallpaper. Some of the rooms feel quite shabby as well, with scuffmarks on the walls and other signs of wear and tear. Overall, a renovation might be in order, as they don’t match up to the hotel’s public spaces. All rooms have minibars, air-conditioning, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs with satellite channels, desks, and safes. Those
staying in Club Rooms also get a free daily newspaper, free Wi-Fi, and have
access to the Club Lounge with additional perks. Large suites are also available that offer even more space and access to the Club Lounge as well plus free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms are a bit dowdy, with dated tiling, shower/tub combos, generous granite vanities, toiletries, and hairdryers.
Features
Excellent dining options and business facilities
The hotel has four restaurants on-site. Olives serves traditional Italian
cuisine; the Bombay Brasserie is a popular Indian restaurant; Bugis Street is a
modern brasserie serving Cantonese and Singaporean cuisine; and Southwest 7
serves an international buffet every evening and is also open for breakfast. Most rooms do not receive free breakfast as part of standard rates. Humphrey's Bar also serves sandwiches and afternoon tea, as well as a range of
hot and cold drinks. Twenty-four-hour room service is available as well. Guests in suites and Club Rooms have access to the Club Lounge, where a free breakfast spread is served as well as free newspapers and magazines.The hotel has a fitness
center with rowing machines, treadmills, exercise bikes, weights, and step
machines. A business center offers internet access and printing, scanning,
photocopying, and faxing. There are also 11 meeting rooms on-site. Wi-Fi is
available throughout the property, although there is a charge for all guests
apart from those staying in the Club Rooms. There's a large car park on-site
for guests, but there is a daily fee. For those traveling with children,
amenities such as high chairs, cots, and children's menus are available. For an
additional fee, special items can be arranged for the room such as a teddy
bear, candy, organic children's shampoo, and ice cream on arrival.
