JJOTraveler
Feb 23, 09, 2:42 am
After staying in the above three hotels over 60 nights last year, I can offer the following advice:
Olympia - definitely the worst of the 3. Almost every time I arrived I was put a non-upgraded room and asked if I wanted to switch tomorrow. This almost led me to believe that this is the standard line so that they can keep you in the lower room if your not bothered to switch at that point. They do give breakfast for free, which is the standard hotel buffet you come to expect at any of the 3. It can be quite busy on the weekends, however. Location is not that good given the Olympia line you most always have to change at Earl's Court, and High Street Kensington is a long walk away. There isn't a Tesco or grocery nearby. In the room, it is outdated and my biggest complaint here is that the hotel seems to be made for people under 6' tall. If you are taller than that, you will not be able to stand upright in the shower, which on a daily occurrence, is rather annoying. (and I am 6'5)
Hyde Park - this hotel is growing on me as my favorite over the Kensington one. Hotel is nice, clean, and has good customer service. I have never been denied an upgrade, and breakfast is free here as well. They have a nice area to relax and read as well, which is almost like a lounge. Location is great - on the circle line as well as the central line into London - not to mention across the street is the park. The rooms are fit for tall folks, and beds, etc are up to date. Really good hotel that despite not having an executive lounge, is my top choice now in London. It has a vibrant night life and choices for eating, along with a Tesco's just down the road in a short walk.
Kensington - On the central line (Holland Park or Shepard's Bush) with a good location for nights out, this hotel was my first choice since it has an executive lounge with free breakfast and happy hour snacks. The rooms were very nice and the customer service excellent. I think the night manager knew my name by the 3rd time I arrived, which is rare as I make few requests of staff. The hotel is in zone 2, for you card holders, which makes it a further trip out (2-3 stops past Hyde Park Hotel). There isn't a tesco just next to the hotel, you have to go towards Holland Park station, but if you get off there, you can stop in, get what you need and head to the hotel.
Overall - Hyde Park #1, Kensington #2, and Olympia at last gasp. All 3 hotels offer rates from 69 GBP - 109GBP, which is my companies budget for staying in London.
Olympia - definitely the worst of the 3. Almost every time I arrived I was put a non-upgraded room and asked if I wanted to switch tomorrow. This almost led me to believe that this is the standard line so that they can keep you in the lower room if your not bothered to switch at that point. They do give breakfast for free, which is the standard hotel buffet you come to expect at any of the 3. It can be quite busy on the weekends, however. Location is not that good given the Olympia line you most always have to change at Earl's Court, and High Street Kensington is a long walk away. There isn't a Tesco or grocery nearby. In the room, it is outdated and my biggest complaint here is that the hotel seems to be made for people under 6' tall. If you are taller than that, you will not be able to stand upright in the shower, which on a daily occurrence, is rather annoying. (and I am 6'5)
Hyde Park - this hotel is growing on me as my favorite over the Kensington one. Hotel is nice, clean, and has good customer service. I have never been denied an upgrade, and breakfast is free here as well. They have a nice area to relax and read as well, which is almost like a lounge. Location is great - on the circle line as well as the central line into London - not to mention across the street is the park. The rooms are fit for tall folks, and beds, etc are up to date. Really good hotel that despite not having an executive lounge, is my top choice now in London. It has a vibrant night life and choices for eating, along with a Tesco's just down the road in a short walk.
Kensington - On the central line (Holland Park or Shepard's Bush) with a good location for nights out, this hotel was my first choice since it has an executive lounge with free breakfast and happy hour snacks. The rooms were very nice and the customer service excellent. I think the night manager knew my name by the 3rd time I arrived, which is rare as I make few requests of staff. The hotel is in zone 2, for you card holders, which makes it a further trip out (2-3 stops past Hyde Park Hotel). There isn't a tesco just next to the hotel, you have to go towards Holland Park station, but if you get off there, you can stop in, get what you need and head to the hotel.
Overall - Hyde Park #1, Kensington #2, and Olympia at last gasp. All 3 hotels offer rates from 69 GBP - 109GBP, which is my companies budget for staying in London.