London Marriott Hotel Kensington [Master Thread]
Jul 23, 04, 6:13 pm
#16
Join Date: May 2001
Location: The Wild West
Posts: 1,280
Originally Posted by Aston
There are two excellant restaurants at the northern end of Gloucester Road, towards Hyde Park.
L'Etranger is modern European, with a late licensed bar downstairs and an excellant sommelier.
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaura...?Rest_ID=82337
Pasha is North African with an excellant atmosphere to unwind in.
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaura...?Rest_ID=81009
Also just south of Gloucester Road tube there's a fish and chip place (opposite an All-Bar-One, harmless and decent chain of bars) which is pretty good quality although it looks a bit of a dive. They also serve food in the All-Bar-One if you don't want to eat formally.
And lastly if you're looking for a deli Partiridges on Gloucester Road by the arrow is excellant although expensive. If you are looking for something particular I'd recommend the Waitrose at Gloucester Road tube or Sainsbury's on the Cromwell Road first as they may be cheaper and both have excellant ranges.
Have fun, and if anyone gets into Scandies let me know.
May 3, 06, 4:01 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: In a plane over Europe; I mean in the back of a plane over Europe !!!
Programs: HHonors, Scandic, Priority Club, Marriott, AF/KL FB, BAEC, AB TB, LH M&M
Posts: 860
rude of me
I only saw the gym from the swimming pool and the jacuzzi. So, for sure you can have a view of the swimming pool and the jacuzzi users from the gym. I remember to have seen the usual cardiovascular machines. I had the feeling it was not huge. Even less clue about gyms in the nearby zone.
Small but nice sauna (wood benches) and a steam room (platic seats
) and a shower with multi water jets.
Small but nice sauna (wood benches) and a steam room (platic seats
) and a shower with multi water jets.
May 30, 07, 1:32 pm
#19
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: DL - Plat, Marriott - Plat, Hilton - Diamond, SPG- Plat, National- ES
Posts: 1,857
Marriott London Kensington - Short Review
I just returned from two nights at this hotel using Marriott Rewards.
I was upgraded to a "suite" type of room. HUGE room with a sitting area etc. Huge bathroom with seperate shower. Overall very nice. Room had the basic amenties (hairdryer, safe, bathrobe) and a few things I don't always get (slippers LOL!)
I chose this Marriott because I actually like the location. I have stayed at several other hotels/apartments in this area and am very familar with the area.
Lounge was open all day with cold drinks and free internet. In the morning there was a limited breakfast with cereal and danish type of stuff. There were hot offerings in the evening, but I did not take advantage of them.
I would stay here again.
I was upgraded to a "suite" type of room. HUGE room with a sitting area etc. Huge bathroom with seperate shower. Overall very nice. Room had the basic amenties (hairdryer, safe, bathrobe) and a few things I don't always get (slippers LOL!)
I chose this Marriott because I actually like the location. I have stayed at several other hotels/apartments in this area and am very familar with the area.
Lounge was open all day with cold drinks and free internet. In the morning there was a limited breakfast with cereal and danish type of stuff. There were hot offerings in the evening, but I did not take advantage of them.
I would stay here again.
May 31, 07, 11:34 am
#21
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ORD, MKE, MDW
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, Air Canada Elite, Avis Pref Select, Hertz Gold,
Posts: 1,844
I've been, but haven't stayed.
My son & his wife have, however. Last summer. And other than a few service glitches, they were quite pleased with it. Although, no upgrade (Hotel was sold-out for an air show).
As for the location, it depends on why you're in London. I personally like the neighborhood very much. First time visitors might find it just a bit out of the way from the main tourist venues. (But not to the extent of Maida Vale, Regents Park, or West India Quay). For me, however, a few extra minutes in a cab or on the tube would be a fair tradeoff for staying in what's basically a desirable and thriving residential area.
My son & his wife have, however. Last summer. And other than a few service glitches, they were quite pleased with it. Although, no upgrade (Hotel was sold-out for an air show).
As for the location, it depends on why you're in London. I personally like the neighborhood very much. First time visitors might find it just a bit out of the way from the main tourist venues. (But not to the extent of Maida Vale, Regents Park, or West India Quay). For me, however, a few extra minutes in a cab or on the tube would be a fair tradeoff for staying in what's basically a desirable and thriving residential area.
May 31, 07, 12:45 pm
#22
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,387
I used to stay there frequently on business - the HQ for my former employer's international division was based in the immediate neighborhood of Earl's Court.
The only real negative I had was the difficulty of catching a cab at times. Most of the taxis were going to/fro Heathrow on Cromwell Road, making it harder to get a cab than at some other locations (seeing as I was walking distance to the office, this was a minor inconvenience to me). There are a LOT of other lower-end tourist motels in the area.
The only real negative I had was the difficulty of catching a cab at times. Most of the taxis were going to/fro Heathrow on Cromwell Road, making it harder to get a cab than at some other locations (seeing as I was walking distance to the office, this was a minor inconvenience to me). There are a LOT of other lower-end tourist motels in the area.
May 31, 07, 6:39 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: houston
Programs: UA Lifetime Platinum, 2MM since 1981, MAR Lifetime Plat, IHG Plat Amb. Global Entry
Posts: 561
Like it also
I have stayed here about 10 times and share the favorable comments. I have also been upgraded to the "suites", which I think they call "junior suites" and several of the "executive suites" which are only slightly smaller. The regular rooms are bigger than most London hotels, about the same as US Marriotts.
I always remember it as the "upside down" hotel, because the concierge lounge is downstairs from the lobby. Only a few steps, but everyplace else it is always on top.
I am a great fan of the tube. The hotel is 5 minutes (fast walk) from both Glouster and Earls Court stations. You can get to anyplace with a maximum of one transfer. Avoid the traffic and the sometimes long wait for a taxi. Get yourself an Oyster card and avoid all the silly low budget tourists at the machines at Glouster station every single day. There seems to be no limit to the amount of time they can spend on simple tasks. Plus the Oyster saves you quite a bit of money.
I have had to wait a few minutes for taxis, but only when it rains is it really a problem. They have one of those taxi lights that they turn on and the first available cab shows up. You can also call ("ring") for one, or book in advance for your critical trips and airport runs.
Being on Cromwell road makes it a much faster and cheaper taxi ride to Heathrow than most other hotels since it is the main road out that way.
I always remember it as the "upside down" hotel, because the concierge lounge is downstairs from the lobby. Only a few steps, but everyplace else it is always on top.
I am a great fan of the tube. The hotel is 5 minutes (fast walk) from both Glouster and Earls Court stations. You can get to anyplace with a maximum of one transfer. Avoid the traffic and the sometimes long wait for a taxi. Get yourself an Oyster card and avoid all the silly low budget tourists at the machines at Glouster station every single day. There seems to be no limit to the amount of time they can spend on simple tasks. Plus the Oyster saves you quite a bit of money.
I have had to wait a few minutes for taxis, but only when it rains is it really a problem. They have one of those taxi lights that they turn on and the first available cab shows up. You can also call ("ring") for one, or book in advance for your critical trips and airport runs.
Being on Cromwell road makes it a much faster and cheaper taxi ride to Heathrow than most other hotels since it is the main road out that way.
Jul 11, 07, 3:57 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Seattle WA.
Programs: UA MM/Gold, MC Plat., Star Plat.
Posts: 94
This hotel is located in a great area, even for tourist! I've stayed several times and the only issue I've had is that the rooms run very warm, AC in summer is just ok, in Winter ever with the heat turned off the room was warm all night! Small rooms are the norm if you don't get upgraded.
It's very easy to get around, fast walk to the tube, grocery store across the street is a great place for gifts to take home, or for a quick bite.
Easy walk to museums, and lots of good restaurants nearby! See London like a Londoner. Also the breakfast is very good in the lobby restaurant.
It's very easy to get around, fast walk to the tube, grocery store across the street is a great place for gifts to take home, or for a quick bite.
Easy walk to museums, and lots of good restaurants nearby! See London like a Londoner. Also the breakfast is very good in the lobby restaurant.
Jul 14, 07, 12:34 pm
#26
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ORD, MKE, MDW
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, Air Canada Elite, Avis Pref Select, Hertz Gold,
Posts: 1,844
Originally Posted by SkiAdcock
Thanks for the reviews! Will have to try it sometime. Cheers.
Sharon...
If you do, you might want to do what Mrs. Cyberdad always does and include a stop at the Waitrose on your way to or from the Gloucester Road tube. Its an upscale grocery (chain) loaded with all sorts of goodies you can take back to your room and enjoy later!
(Our daughter was "ordered" to stop there before her trip home last month in order to pick up a supply of her mom's fave ginger shortbread cookies!)
Jul 14, 07, 8:57 pm
#27
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 11,681
Originally Posted by cwm143
the only issue I've had is that the rooms run very warm, AC in summer is just ok, in Winter ever with the heat turned off the room was warm all night!
Mar 31, 08, 12:54 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Texas
Programs: all
Posts: 2
London Marriott Hotel Kensington
Very disapointing experience with "bait and switch" room on arrival. Be careful you verify that your room will be located in the hotel tower and make sure they note that when you make your reservation. They bait you with the nice hotel tower rooms on the website, but they have some basement annex rooms about a block away through a tunnel that they switch to when you arrive. Don't bother with your rewards status or your profile "room preference", that doesn't matter to them. They really shouldn't be allowed to sell basement annex rooms like these under the Marriot brand.
Mar 31, 08, 4:41 pm
#29
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: ORD, MKE, MDW
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, AAdvantage Gold, Air Canada Elite, Avis Pref Select, Hertz Gold,
Posts: 1,844
This seems to run contrary to what most posters have encountered at this hotel. I'd be curious to know if there might have been other circumstances in play. Was the hotel oversold, was this a last-minute reservation, etc?
My experience here has been somewhat limited, but I've found the staff to be courteous, attentive, and reponsive.
My experience here has been somewhat limited, but I've found the staff to be courteous, attentive, and reponsive.
