For me, staying at the Kensington Close Hotel was like returning to visit an old friend.
Twenty years ago I stayed in this hotel on my first trip to Europe. I remember I paid $1050 for a package deal that included room, air and hotel transfers. I returned to the Kensington Close 2 years later for another stay.
20 years later the Kensington Close has changed management and names a few times but it is still a great deal in a great neighborhood.
The exterior of the hotel is a bland brick building and the public areas are a bit faded. Guest service is decent and accommodating should you require assistance. The hotel also has a concierge desk to assist you with you tourist, travel and informational needs.
The rooms are modern and have been updated. Although they are a slightly worn around the edges, they are in good condition.
The rooms are not large but are still comfortable and compact. The furniture in my double room included a desk and the bed. The television was built into a wall cabinet and the room had a closet and a built in bench to put my luggage on.
Although I was comfortable in this room, I could not imagine two people using it. It would be impossible to dance around the bed!
Speaking of beds, the bed was soft but not firm but included enough pillows and soft sheets to get a good nights rest.
The bathroom was modern and very clean. The shower had great water pressure and the towels were soft for the most part.
My only complaint was the lighting in the bathroom was horrible and offered no vanity lighting at the mirror at all. I could deal with this OK, but it may have been more difficult for others.
The door to the bathroom was a sliding door so it offered a floor to ceiling mirror to see how big your butt was getting from all the good food you have consumed.
At £83 a night for a double this hotel offered the best value in its class out of all the hotels I viewed.
To book or check prices for the Kensington Close Hotel you can use their web-sight. When I booked I think it listed the “internet” special as a two week advance purchase but it still allowed me to reserve it even though my trip was almost two months away. I have also seen the Kensington Close come up on Priceline at even lower prices.
If you need to relax or want some pampering, the hotel also has a full service health spa on the premises. I will post some sample prices in a few days. Why not take some money you saved on hotel rates and enjoy a bit of luxury?
The Kensington Close is an old reliable friend of mine who always delivers value for the money. The location is idea since it is within walking distance from the High Street Kensington tube station and near shopping and many sights.
It may not be the Ritz, but it's clean, comfortable and well situated.
Next time I return to London I will consider a visit with my old friend.
The Kensington Close Hotel and Health Spa
Wrights Lane
Kensington, London
Tel +44 (0) 870 400 9000 Fax +44 (0) 20 7937 8289
enquires@kensingtonclosehotel.com
Blogging from Europe via Blackberry and AT&T Wireless
Stayed there in February. Room was o.k. - you certainly don't get the value for the money in a hotel room in London that you get in the US but that's the way it is. Ate in the restaurant and had a horrible meal. For a full service hotel I think it's an o.k. place to stay (great location), but avoid the restaurant.
Posted by: Debby | December 04, 2004 at 09:12 AM