The Kensington Close Hotel & Spa - London

Location is good. Hotel seems great until you get to your tiny, tiny cramped room. Our bed was loop-sided and we could literally feel every spring. This was a HUGE disappointment after traveling from California to London. Hotel is close to subway. Another downfall is they were the only hotel in Europe, out of the six we stayed at to charge us for internet […] service. Bottom line = overpriced for what you get. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I was happy with everything: service, courtesy, location, comfort and price.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room was totally small. The bed was seriously the size of my crib growing up. The mattress was awful. The shower curtain didn't contain the water so the water was everywhere. I booked three nights but luckily I met a woman that invited me to stay at her place the rest of my trip so I got out of there after one back breaking night.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Worst place to stay. Gave me the key to a room that a family was already in. I walked in and the mom was feeding her kid. It took the two more tries to give us a room that met our minimum standards

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel was beautiful and well set in Kensignton just off the high street. However, it is unfortunate that we were welcomed by a few things, and most that we're not rectified. When we first arrived in the room, there was a disgusting sport sock that was left on top of the upper part of the wardrobe, which I found as I was placing my clothes there. […] Then I tried to lock away out passports and money, but the safe had no electricity. Also the aircon/heating did not work and was showing a spanner icon, and so obviously needed maintenance. It was pretty cold in the mornings when we woke up. Also, the TV connection was not good...the voices kept cutting, which made watching TV annoying. We told the caption about all the problems except for the sock, and none of them were fixed. As the daughter of a hotelier, I was disappointed that maintenance was not called straight away to fix the heating issue at least. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Location was good but room quite small!!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

This is my nth time in this hotel and i like the rooms and the location is ideal. Only issue this time are the elevators, There are 5, i think but only 2 are operating. Elevators are small so it can only accompdate 5 with luggage. This is something to do with renovation but after the work is complete, i am sure it is nice hotel to stay again.

Genuine Expedia guest review

This hotel met all our expectations. We booked a great rate for early Febraury on hotels.com and were expecting a tiny room,a over priced Internet and tiny towels, as per previous reviews. But we found the opposite, a small but clean room compact but with good storage and a powerful shower. Front desk accommodated us with early check-in as we arrived […] at hotel at 7.30 am on an international flight, that was wonderful! Also enjoyed a great tea and scones in the dining room in the late afternoon for a great bargain off less than 6 pounds. Location was top, cabs plentiful out front. I will stay at KC again. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Fantastic location, great hotel, friendly staff. Will definitely stay there again.

Genuine Expedia guest review

If you book a standard room we were told " it is not refurbished". We learned this on arrival. Thanks to a very kind receptionist, " Maria" we given an " upgrade" . This, nevertheless is a very small room do not plan on unpacking any significant luggage. We had bath towels, no hand towels. We were moved again the next AM because of a leaking toilet. […] Location is great because of the tube station, though this was closed for rail repairs between Christmas and New Years. Best surprise: I ordered a club sandwich through room service after a 14 hour flight from Singapore, it came with lovely fries and a nice salad. Nickle and diming: after the premium of room service and tipping , there is a charge for clearing the tray. If you can afford it pay for more space. Kensington is a great and convenient area in London Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

It's an easy walk to the tube, food, and shopping. The staff is friendly and helpful; the rooms are clean. The charm and grace of an plunder hotel, including thin walls between rooms. Overall, we were pleased and my daughter and I would stay there again.

Genuine Expedia guest review

With good access to the tube, this is a reasonable hotel for a stay in London. Clean and well maintained, it served its purpose. We were disappointed in the internet and phone policies - be sure that you check before you use them or access them. We discovered that there were some hefty rates to use. It would have helped to have some sort of business […] center to access airplane reservations, etc. Though we are not television viewers, disappointed in the lack of access to channels - especially sports related. Most of the staff was helpful - concierge and doorman stand out, but front desk people were inconsistent. Either way, we would use this place again. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

I had requested a handicap accessible room and though I did not need a wheelchair for the trip the room was very nice and roomy. The only problem was that the shower came out too strong and could not be regulated and the seal wasn't very good so everytime I took a shower I flooded the room below me.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Great for the price. 5 blocks from metro and in a beautiful neighborhood. Nice bed. Nice lobby Cons: everything even the gym was under charge, bathrooms are too open (messy), wifi under charge

Genuine Expedia guest review

Had a single room which was smallish but clean and comfortable. About ready for a refurb but its fine. Shame you have to pay for Internet at 9 pounds. Worse still a pound a bag to hold luggage after you check out ( only need it for an hour) is terrible. First time in 40 years staying in hotels I have been asked to pay to hold bags. Public areas are […] smart . Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The lobby and front bar has recently been renovate. Looks great. Rooms small and basic (well standard room we had) but fine for a short stay. Location is excellent just a short walk to underground. We always try and stay here.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Well maintained in a nice neighborhood. Just 2 blocks from tube station.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Was pleased with the size of the room. I have stayed In hotels of the same price range and often found rooms to be uncomfortably small. This one was a good size and with a full bath. There was a problem with my room on arrival but it was fixed and I was given a bonus to make up for the inconvenience - as it should be in decent hotels.

Genuine Expedia guest review

This was the nicest hotel we have stayed in in London. Loved the location and it was quiet and new. Was on sale the weekend we had it and it was a real treat!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Nice neighborhood, about two blocks from the Underground. They charge too much for the internet, but there is (currently free) wifi at the Underground station if you only need quick access. I'd certainly stay there again.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We enjoyed our stay at the Kensington Close Hotel and Spa. It had been newly renovated but still was in the process of some renovations. Our room was very small, but we expected that. It also was not completely done. There was new carpet, paint and curtains but the bathroom was very old. The TV was 1990 as well. The lobby was very nice and the staff […] was helpful. The location was wonderful. I think it was a fine value for our money given how expensive London is. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The breakfast was great! The pool isn't quite as nice as the photos on the website!

Genuine Expedia guest review

Nice hotel, but believe the pool and gym should be free to guests staying at the hotel. Seems a little "nickle and dime" to have to pay for a room, then pay again to use facilities. I would suggest the hotel increase their basic room price by 10 euro, then include 'free' use of gym and pool areas. They are getting paid for it and the impression is better […] for guests. Very clean and friendly staff and enjoyed our stay. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I stayed at the Kensington Close for a 2 times for a total of 5 nights during a recent trip around Great Britain. On a positive note, when I arrived at 10am after getting off of a 10 hour flight, the hotel was kind enough to offer me early check in. However, the room they provided to me was the literally the smallest room I've ever seen and barely had […] room for the furniture let alone any additional bags on the ground. The carpet in the room was dirty and the bathroom was sub par. All of this was tolerable until we realized the heat was broken and it was October in London... After a couple hours of trying to fix it the hotel did agree to move us to another room. This room was larger, had working heat, but was no cleaner. However, the shower curtain was too small and after 2 showers our bathroom had standing water in it from all the overspray... not fun. The tvs were super small, 13 inch old-fashioned tube style and offered about 6 channels. Several power outlets didn't work. Hotel staff is hit or miss - some nice, some rude. Room service is overpriced and not very tasty. Hotel is just "ok." Oh, and the fire alarm went off and we all had to evacuate at night... that was fun. At the end of my trip I switched to another area hotel that was the same price and had much larger, cleaner rooms and a friendly staff. I recommend you look elsewhere in Kensington before booking here. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

really enjoyed the hotel and its location. staff very friendly and helpful. rate for room was good for me...within budget i had. pool nice but i was charged for use of it which i didn't expect before i went to use it.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

There was other peoples hair left in the tub, used shampoo bottles, and room service attempted 3 times to come into my room while I was in the shower or getting dressed without knocking at 9am. There was no ability to book SPA services on the website and no available appointments the day I was there. The only reason I booked this hotel in the first […] place was for the spa treatments which I ended up going to another hotel for. The room was small and the cable was sketchy (5 channels maybe). Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Being near High Street Kensington lifts prices, but there should be some level of quality and service to match. This hotel disappointed. On arrival, reception was chaos with no management of those waiting so people jumped line with the reception staff being oblivious to serving the next customer. The reception staff were slow during peak. My room was […] hard to find (I had to get someone to help me). The toilet didn't flush without severe pumping of the handle (surely housekeeping must have noticed this?). The only available electrical outlet for me was jammed and couldn't be used. I like the location but 30% less would be reasonable. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review

The location is okay, though a bit off the high street. The hotel was clean. It was also busy. But, overall, I would say it was just an average experience. I doubt I will book in here again.

Genuine Expedia guest review

I have spent much time in London. This was my favorite hotel given the location. Excellent High Street shopping area and one block from the tube. Hotel presents itself very well in public areas. Rooms are very small and plain with no effort to enhance the decor. When we were there, they were installing new carpeting on our floor so it appears they may […] be improving the guest rooms soon.Even though the room was the size of a small dorm room, I would still stay there next time. The location was the best! Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

No complaints about the property itself. It is large hotel and the rooms have been nicely renovated. The pool and gym facilities are suitable and clean. It is very close to the High Street Kensington tube station and several bus routes. A stay here can be excellent - provided you don't have to deal with the rag-tag staff. So inept is the staff at this […] hotel - across the board - that one reaches a point where anger becomes pity - and the outrageous becomes comical. It is as if someone staffed and entire hotel with individuals with little common sense and no guest service experience whatsoever. Witness a desk staff that has no clue how to handle a minor complaint! Experience concierge with no knowledge of the surrounding area! Observe a bitter argument between bartenders right before your very eyes and laugh when the bar manager gets into the act resolving nothing! Cry when the lobby bar closes - but chuckle as room service can be called from the bar to deliver you a drink at the bar! And look on with shock when a hotel manager - rather than answer a simple question in the lobby - tells you that you can find the information in your room! Stay here because it is economical and nice - but be ready to fend for yourself - hopefully the owners will get around to training management - and subsequently the staff. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We enjoyed our stay!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

If you want to stay in Kensington, this is a relatively nice place. Rooms are very small, and hotel charges for everything - 10 pounds for internet (use nearby starbucks for free), the same for spa, and so on. Kensington is a nice area with some shopping, close to center locations, but not much to do in teh evenings. Metro/tube is very close and there […] are buses, too. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Enjoyed it. Everyone was courteous, helpful and pleasant. Breakfast was delicious. Room although small was spotless, bed comfortabe.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Lobby A+, Bar A+ Our room D- was on the first floor Rm 111. We stepped off the elevator and it was like walking into the 1980s. First all af the doors are adjusted to slam, and the walls are thin so it is very noisy. Althogh the room was reasonably clean it still looked dirty because everything is old and worn (Very barren). WiFi 10 pounds for two hours, […] no free wifi available. Sent out laundry at 8:30am, and had to call the front desk that night and they had problems locating it. Most of the employees had trouble understanding American English. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

Although the hotel was centrally located, the charges for facilities was unacceptable. The hotel boasts a pool, but there is an 8pound charge to use it. Also there is a charge for the 'free' internet, although there is a caffe with free wifi about 100metres away. I needed to cancel some nights due to flight offloads, due to time differences and the […] reservations department not being available in the evening this was not possible. There is confusion as to the time of cancelation cutoff of 1200pm. I assumed that 1200pm was 1200 midnight where in fact it is midday. Further, as a courtesy I e-mailed the hotel to advise of a late arrival, this courtesy was not returned by acknowledgment.. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

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Genuine Hotels.com guest review

We were not impressed to be told that the "free" Wifi had to be paid for in either 2 or 12 hour blocks for 5 or 12 pounds respectively. We still have our invoice which lists one of the attractions of this hotel as "free Wifi". Totally untrue! And i was appalled to be told there would be an 8 pound charge to swim in their crumby little 15 metre pool!! […] A horrible example of price gouging. We have never, ever been charged to use the hotel pool before. We !also emailed the hotel twice when our flight was delayed, simply out of courtesy but no one at the hotel had the courtesy to respond to our emails. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel lobby and restaurant/bar are gorgeous. The rooms are small, but the bed is comfortable and there were 4 pillows. The shower is a little difficult to use and the bathroom floor gets soaked. If you need a washcloth, pack your own. Tea service, cable tv, hairdryer. Great if you are not spending a ton of time in your room. Around the corner from […] the tube. Friendly front desk and concierge. Easy to get a cab. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

I was extremely disappointed with "The Kensington Close Hotel", the lobby was beautiful, the bedrooms were extremly small with very old, dated style, marked up furniture. No refrigerator in room, an extremly small bathroom (only room for one person), old uncomfortable mattresses, an an old portable box telly are just a few of the issues with the bedrooms. […] A nice gym (£8) extra, wifi (£) extra even in the lobby, and the killer a cost for storing our luggage on our last day while we took in a bit more of London. Remove from your website please it doesn't meet the standards I am used to with Hotels.com. Regards, A. Herring Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

the charge of 1 pound per bag to store your luggage seems bit petty. maybe is because lot of people don't tip the staff but first time i have ever been asked to store luggage after i am checking out.

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

My mother and I stayed at the Kensington Close for three nights in September. I was a little concerned because of reviews posted on other boards that were quite critical. We got an amazing price through Hotels.com and lowered our expectations. Our experience was totally positive. The hotel was grand with a doorman and a beautiful lobby. The room was […] clean and had decorated nicely. The hotel staff was lovely and very helpful. I recommend this hotel. The location is great and the neighborhood is posh. Read more

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The room was very small. Food service in the Hotel was ok. They had a buffet and only had made to order service in the bar and room service. No transportation to or from the airport. Plan on spending 50-80 pounds each way.

Genuine Expedia guest review

Asked 3 times for main lightbulb in room to be replaced - was never done.Shower curtain too small, so always has to wipe down the entire room after a shower. Received 1 quarter sized bar of soap for 5 day stay and only 1 bottle of shampoo.But, the room did have good air-conditioner!

Genuine Hotels.com guest review

The hotel was recently renovated, the lobby is much better and the room is modern and big compared to the old room. The bathroom is great, there is separate bath and shower. This might not be the same for the ordinary rooms because I was upgraded to a club room. The reception is much better. Before, I have to wait ages before I can check in or out but […] now it was very fast and efficient. I will come back again to see how the ordinary room is set-up. But for this experience, I would say it is a great and improved hotel. Read more

Genuine Expedia guest review