Grosvenor Kensington Hotel

Depends what your priorities are on whether or not you’ll like this hotel.

I have very mixed feelings about this hotel. By rights I feel I should hate it - the room was desperately in need of an update and we couldn’t work out how to control the heating. Then again, there were several points which made it an great place to stay - the location was superb for access to the tube station and the museums (right between the two), the breakfast was delicious (billed as Continental but actually Full English as well) and the twin bunks in a separate adjoining room made it perfect for a family.

Fairly good.

It’s a good hotel. The location is excellent. It’s perfect for those who wish to visit places in London. The subway station is quite near and there numerous buses, stopping near the hotel. The staff are friendly and helpful. Breakfast was excellent in a cozy atmosphere.

Dissappointed

This hotel should not be categorized as 3 star as it does not meet the critearia. The hotel is in a bad shape, needs serrious renovation. Everything is old and worn out. Beds are old and uncomfortable. Bed linen are also worn out. You can smell mould in rooms and corridors. The old wooden floor makes strong noises, so you can not rest in your room if a person above you is walking.Breakfast was good, and location is good.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

Very close to National History and National Sciency Museum which are worth a visit. Not far away from Hyde Park and Oxfort Street.

Not at all impressed

The foyer of the hotel although attractive enough does not help if you have a heavy suitcase. Carrying this up stairs is not a good start. Front desk staff were alright but not very helpful. The room was the smallest I had stayed in for the past three years of travel. It was dirty(food droppings near the bed), the wardrobe was difficult to access with a desk and chair in addition to a casual table in front of it! The very basic bathroom did not provide warm water for more than 30 seconds at a time which made washing more adventurous than it should have been in London in the winter. Acracked cup for making tea was not replaced for two days despite my request. Altogether this property should not be offered by Expedia without a cautionary notice. I was extremely disappointed and was glad to move on. Definitely not worth the money!!!

There were ’crawlys’ in the bathroom

The hotel staff were the best, hands down. Friendly, helpful, and knowledgable. Location was excellent within visual of S. Ken Street tube. However, the condition of the hotel outside of the public rooms was apalling. Hadn’t been attended to in who knows how long. The bed wasn’t horrible but the long black hair on my pillow was. There were moving life forms in the bathroom, long with lots of legs that may be called ’silverfish’, not sure. If they rennovated I would stay again but not under any other circumstances, including having to stay up all night in a bus station.

Traveler's tip on dining

If you stay in the neighborhood there’s an Argentinian restaurant around the corner, El Gaucho, with a steak to die for.

Good but high price/quality ratio

Rates increased by more than 20% in a few months! A good choice if the rates were more reasonable.

Charming older hotel

This is an older hotel but had charm and ambience. Room was very spacious with all modern conveniences.

Traveler's tip on local attractions

This hotel is centrally located and conveniently within walking distance of many London attractions.

excellent location, friendly staff, great breakfast

we asked for a cot for our daughter and they upgraded us to a room with bunk beds. Right across from the subway-that was a bonus.

Traveler's tip on saving a few bucks

great hotel for the price

Comfortable Stay

This is an older, probably Victorian building that was originally a hospital and has undergone some interior remodeling, so interesting interior details are now mostly gone. The rooms show some of the wear of years, such as uneven floor, evidence of leaking in ceilings, etc., but our room was spacious, comfortable and clean, and all the facilities worked perfectly. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The buffet breakfast that was included with the price of the room was great, and a real plus when you consider the usual expense of getting a full meal in London.

Great location and terrific value

With its location just a few steps from the South Kensington tube stop, My husband and I booked a deluxe room for 4 nights in July 07. There were so many London hotel choices and widely differing opinions, the terrific Expedia rate (which included breakfast)was the deciding factor, as was the location on the Piccadilly line near Nat. History and V&A Museums and Hyde Park. Quiet (including near-silent elevator) clean and attractive building and lobby. The only glitch occurred because of late arrival on our first night--we were given an over-heated room with a broken thermostat. Our replacement room, RM 200, was very large and comfortable. Quite helpful and friendly reception staff. Note: Neighborhood closes down by 11 p.m.

Traveler's tip on dining

Khan’s Indian Restaurant across the street--good food and fair prices.

run run run away

The hotel was falling apart, the room wasn’t terribly clean and the hotel staff was INCREDIBLY rude. run away from this hotel as fast as you can!

Comfortable and modest; a good value; would definitely stay again

We stayed here three nights and would definitely return. Conveniently located approximately 500 meters from the South Kensington tube, we found this hotel comfortable, clean and friendly. The room and bathroom size were typical for European hotels, but not cramped. Our room was at the back of the hotel, which I would recommend if possible, since the hotel fronts a somewhat busy street. Our room overlooked a children’s school playground, which was noisy during the day, but we didn’t mind as we weren’t in the room much during the day. The hotel itself appeared old and in need of updates (peeling wallpaper, dingy hallways and light fixtures) but the room was clean and service good. We arrived about 6 hours prior to check-in and the hotel staff kindly allowed us the store our bags while we went sightseeing until we could check in. Breakfast was included in the price - a great bonus to start the day in a very expensive city: full self-serve buffet English breakfast including eggs, meats, baked goods, fruit. Coffee machine in the room, but freeze-dried. Coffee connoisseurs would probably prefer patronizing one of the many area cafes. Overall we enjoyed our stay very much.

Not Impressed

When we arrived at the hotel, the clerk was sleeping and then could not find our reservation because it was under my first name instead of my husband’s even though we told him our last name. Our lamps didn’t work, the shower wouldn’t turn off and every employee we encountered was just plain rude. The worst part of the hotel was the sheets. They made us feel itchy. I’m not sure what that was about and am worried to find out. Don’t be fooled by the lobby. This place is a dive and not worth the cost savings.

Find another hotel

I’m not quite sure how this is hotel has a three star rating. I assume they got the first star since there was nothing crawling on me during the night that I was aware of, but my satisfaction ends there. The top floor shower required you to be a contortionist to actually use. If I am able, I will post a link to the pictures once get them online. After three calls, the broken pull out bed in our 5th floor room was still not fixed. After the fourth call, we were given a different room which was better, but the service was still lacking. Luckily I had taken the printouts showing Expedia included a full breakfast. Otherwise the three people stayin in the room would have had an additional $10 cost per person per day. I got this hotel because it looked like a good value, but the subject says it all. Find another hotel.

Good location, good service, slightly rundown

The hotel is very close to the Victoria and Albert Museum (and Natural History, Science...). It is in Zone 1 on three key subway lines: Picadelli, Circle and District. The neighborhood is very safe and nice. The rooms are quiet, a moderate size, and have mid-grade furnishing. Carpets and matrices show some wear. The showers are almost intolerable - cycling from hot to cold with ferocious water pressure that can leave welts like you have been in a paint ball fight. The tubs works fine, so I suggest a bath. Breakfast is fantastic quality and moderate selection (hot English breakfast, continental breakfast and cold cereals). All the service we received was great. The positives greatly out weighed the crazy showers.

Great location

We really enjoyed this hotel. The room was a little small, and the tv only offerred 6 stations. We tried to buy a movie and had a hard time maneuvering through the cable system which seemed to be on the fritz most of the time. Other than that, the location was great, right near the S. Kensington underground station, and the staff was helpful.

Traveler's tip on getting the most out of your stay

Buy the Oyster card!!! If you want to take the train (the Tube), buy this card and it gives you unlimited train and bus rides for a fraction of the cost of individual rides. You can buy them at the counter of every Tube station. Enjoy

Its a Good Budget Hotel thats clean and centrally located!

The hotel lobby was pretty with granite and worn carpet with a chandelier. The rooms were worn and needs new paint/carpet and small. But for the price it was worth it. If you are on a budget not expecting fluffy slippers/robes and you want a Good Safe clean place this is it. I recommend you purchase the full breakfast with your package it was worth it. Plus the hotel is centrally located to Natural/Science/Victoria-Albert Museum which are all behind the hotel. The South Kensington tube is very close.Overall I would stay again since we were gone all day and just crashed at night. If your looking for a bunch of extra’s this isn’t the place. FYI-we went in November and needed no air condition but I notice it had no air condition in the room. Check what month your going in!

Traveler's tip on recreational activities

Book a tour to Stonehenge/Bath and Windsor. It is so worth it.I used Grayline and found it the cheapest. Again we went in November which was off season. And it was a good time. No lines/crowds. And the season was perfect we had dry beautiful cool windy weather. A plus was the changing of the leaves. The foliage was pictureques.