SkiAdcock

Re: the gym or the property?

Cheers.

joetro

property

toothy

As a gold you'll get lounge access. Don't expect an upgrade as it is full of plats and plat prems.


T

jtwiz

Just booked here as it is one of the few Marriotts (beside Regent's Park and Maida Vale) that is below my corporate hotel cap for London. It appears the Lounge is open on the weekend, which is good. I had to book a Double standard room (to stay under the aforementioned cap...) but wondering how likely it is to be upgraded to a King as a Platinum. Mr jtwiz is accompanying me on this trip.

And any other feedback on the property will be appreciated!

BrightlyBob

I stayed here a few months ago as a plat on a 3-night weekend. The lounge was open throughout serving varied a tasty food and a lengthy happy hour, from 5-9. You can choose continental breakfast in the lounge or full in the restaurant.

We booked the cheapest room and as a Plat I was upgraded to a king. Make no mistake, this is London and the king room was not that big, but it was fine.

This is a very competent Marriott, and my choice for London when my client holds me on a budget...

jtwiz

Thanks for the quick response! This is good info. I'll keep my fingers crossed on the King upgrade. We check in on a Saturday, leave on a Thursday - not sure if being there on the weekend will help or hurt our chances. If not, hey, when Mr jtwiz and I got married a few zillion years ago - we slept on a double for a long time. Guess we can do it again.

chrisncraz

I stayed here earlier this month. Nice hotel.


Here is my review on TripAdvisor:


http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...ECK_RATES_CONT

jtwiz

Nice write-up on TA. It looks like you were happy with your stay. I get to London quite a bit for business but typically stay in Hiltons (a lot more options under my corporate hotel cap in Central London). I thought I would give this Marriott a try...

jtwiz

Just finished up a 5-night stay here as a Plat. I booked their least expensive room (double) in order to stay under my corporate hotel cap for London, but got upgraded to a King room. They also honored my request for early check-in (post trans-Atlantic flight.) We had about a 45-minute wait for the room, so they sent us to the Concierge Lounge which was a nice touch as breakfast was still being served.

The Concierge Lounge was basically open 24x7. Breakfast buffet in the morning, afternoon tea type of snacks, and appetizers/drinks from 5:30 to 9:30 in the evening. (I think the hot food was taken away at 7:30, but desserts, mixed nuts, etc. left out.) Coffee, tea, water, soda always available. Tons of newspapers available. Service was great in the lounge.

You could also get full English, American or Continental breakfast in the restaurant at no charge. I never tried it as I don't eat that much in the morning and as I was there for business most days, I just wanted something quick.

Of course, free wifi, newspaper delivered to door, and the usual amenities were included.

Rooms were small (but hey, it's London) and needed a freshening - especially the carpets. However, it was really clean and I loved having an empty mini-fridge in the room. While clearly not the one of the best Marriotts in town, I would have no hesitation staying here again if I could get the same pricing I did this time.

SeamusSA

Anyone able to offer comments based on recent stay at Marriott Kensington? Was at first reluctant to book here as we usually stay in the Mayfair/Westminster area but will give it a try for a leisure visit later this month. Especially interested in knowing about fitness facilities - as MR Gold do we have access? What is on offer (weights, machines, pool, sauna/steam, etc) and is it in house or nearby?
Thanks in advance for any info!

EricH

The fitness facility is a commercial gym located in the building but accessed by walking down the driveway in front. It's definitely better than a typical hotel fitness room. There are the usual ellipticals and treadmills plus various free weights and strength machines. I didn't notice whether they had a sauna or steam room nor a pool (I kind of doubt a pool because it isn't that large).

I've stayed there twice. The rooms I've gotten (as a Gold) have been small but not bad, the lounge is good and the location is good (it's midway between the Earl's Court and Gloucester Road tube stops, both of which have a variety of restaurants in the area).

SeamusSA

Thanks, EricH, appreciate it. Am thinking this may work out OK, even if it is a bit too far to walk to Covent Garden

SeamusSA

Stay was quite pleasant, much as described by jtwiz. Not truly posh but more than adequate, and lovely staff.
The gym, as it turns out, used to be part of the property but was sold off to a private company which allows hotel guests free access. Decent array of equipment but no sauna, steam or pool. In fact, the hotel pool has been closed.

toothy

That's a shame. The pool, sauna and steam room used to be nice. Was always a bit strange sitting in the sauna and feeling it vibrate as the tube ran underneath!

DYKWIA

Yeah, of course it was a tube causing the vibrations