Located in an upscale neighborhood near Gloucester Road tube station
Clean, modern rooms with minibars and windows that open
One-bedroom suites available that include separate cozy seating rooms
Small fitness center with free weights and cardio machines
On-site Jam Cupboard Restaurant serves all meals and afternoon tea
Polo Bar serves snacks, pub fare, spirits, wine, and beer
Hotel puts an emphasis on supporting local brands
Fee for Wi-Fi
Small showers
Some noise can travel from neighboring rooms
With 81 rooms and suites, the upscale Rydges Kensington feels a little more personal than some of the larger hotels of its category. However, it still has a few important amenities (namely a small fitness center, elegant bar, and artsy restaurant) that one would expect from a higher-end property. Rooms are modern and cozy, ranging from small singles to family-size suites, and come with mini-fridges and windows that open. The bathrooms feel somewhat cramped (particularly the showers), but overall this hotel is a good choice for its convenient central-London location, and well-kept rooms and common areas.
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Scene
Colorful common areas, popular with tourists and business travelers alike
The hotel is a collection of five Victorian townhouses that were merged into a single hotel with an off-white exterior. The entrance is flanked by large columns and is slightly raised from the ground floor, up a few steps. It opens up to a sunny lobby with brown marble floors, white walls, purple furniture, and brass lamps and accent pieces. The front desk is small but has two staffed check-in stations. The Polo Bar has high ceilings and a mix of dark wood fixtures and purple furniture that's similar to what's found in the lobby. The Jam Cupboard Restaurant strays from the color scheme that dominates elsewhere in the hotel, with light wood tables and chairs in hues of olive and pumpkin. Business travelers and well-heeled tourists make up the majority of guests here.
Location
On Gloucester Road, a two-minute walk from the Underground
The Rydges is located a two-minute walk from the Gloucester Road tube station in an upscale area with many other hotels as well as residences, shops, and restaurants. It's a 50-minute ride on the Picadilly Line to Heathrow Airport, and Victoria railway station is about 10 to 15 minutes away by tube. The Royal Albert Hall and the southwest corner of Hyde Park are both a 15-minute walk away.
Rooms
Variety of room types, all with windows that open and some with capsule-style coffeemakers
Rooms at the Rydges are decorated in shades of cream and grey, with dark wood furnishing and accent linens in muted shades of plum and cobalt. Windows in rooms open, and all rooms have air-conditioning. There are two types of room -- Standard and Executive -- and a few types of suites. Standard rooms have either one or two single beds, a double, a queen, or a king, and come with safes, minibars, and desks. Wi-Fi is available for a fee. Bathrooms have toiletries from Scottish brand Feeling Flirty and some come with tubs. Showers are on the small side. Executive rooms also have bathrobes, slippers, and capsule-style espresso machines. Suites have separate bedrooms and sofa beds in the living room.
Features
Small fitness center and excellent on-site dining
There's a small, cramped fitness center with free weights and four cardio machines. The on-site restaurant, The Jam Cupboard, serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea, and has numerous vegetarian options and a special children's menu. The Polo Bar also serves afternoon tea as well as salads, pub food, Mediterranean finger food, and a wide variety of drinks. The hotel is part of an Australian chain, but they make a point of using British brands when possible, including tea from London and toiletries from Scotland.
