Premier Inn London Kensington

This hotel is highly regarded for its exceptional location near Earl's Court tube station, making it an ideal base for exploring London's attractions. Its proximity to public transport and major landmarks like the Natural History Museum and Royal Albert Hall makes it particularly well-suited for sightseers, families, and event attendees. Guests consistently highlight the friendly staff and the comfortable beds as key elements of a positive stay. While the hotel offers good value, especially for London, guests should be aware that daily room cleaning needs to be requested, and the hotel's two-building layout can sometimes feel like a maze, requiring navigation through multiple lifts and corridors.

Facilities & Amenities
The hotel provides essential facilities, though some aspects receive mixed feedback. Guests appreciate the availability of lifts, although one is frequently reported as being out of order, leading to longer wait times. Self check-in machines are present but can be unreliable, sometimes requiring staff assistance. While Wi-Fi is generally available, some guests found the connection to be slow or unreliable, especially for premium services. Rooms typically include a kettle for tea and coffee, and Premier Plus rooms offer additional amenities such as a fridge and an iron. However, many standard rooms lack sufficient storage space for clothes, and some report issues with non-functioning desk lamps or USB plugs. The heating and air conditioning systems are a common point of concern, with numerous reports of them not working effectively, leading to rooms being uncomfortably hot or cold.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
Guest feedback on cleanliness and room comfort is varied. Many guests find the rooms to be clean and the beds very comfortable, ensuring a good night's sleep. However, a significant number of reviews describe the rooms as tired, dated, or grubby, with issues such as peeling paint, scuffed walls, and broken fixtures. Specific complaints include dust, grime on bathroom fixtures, and dirty glasses. While some bathrooms are noted for good shower pressure, others mention problems with limescale, blocked drains (sometimes with hair), discolored grouting, and mold on ceilings or joints. Noise levels are generally reported as quiet, even for rooms near the tube lines, but some guests experienced disturbances from other guests, trains, or car alarms.

Dining & Food Quality
The hotel's dining options, particularly breakfast, receive widespread praise. The breakfast is consistently described as "excellent," "delicious," and offering "good variety," including a full English breakfast with options like eggs, bacon, sausages, and pancakes, alongside continental choices. Many guests highlight the great value, especially since children eat free with a paying adult. The breakfast service is generally efficient, though some note it can be chaotic during peak times. The restaurant also serves dinner, with mixed reviews; some guests find the food quality good and the prices reasonable, while others consider it average or find the portion sizes, especially for children's meals, to be insufficient. The bar is available, but some guests reported issues with cleanliness of glassware.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel's central location is its strongest asset, placing guests just a short walk (1-5 minutes) from Earl's Court tube station. This provides excellent transport links to all major London attractions, including direct access to Heathrow Airport. Guests appreciate being within walking distance of cultural sites such as the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, and the Royal Albert Hall. The surrounding area is described as safe, quiet, and vibrant, with a wide selection of restaurants, pubs, and convenience stores (like Sainsbury's and Waitrose) nearby. The hotel's unique layout, split into two buildings connected by a walkway, is noted by some as a minor inconvenience, requiring navigation through multiple lifts and corridors to reach certain rooms.

Staff & Service
The hotel staff consistently receive high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and attentiveness. Guests frequently commend their willingness to go "above and beyond" to assist with requests and ensure a comfortable stay. The check-in process generally receives positive comments for being easy, though some guests experienced long queues or issues with self-service machines. There were isolated instances where lone travelers felt uncomfortable due to room numbers being announced publicly. Housekeeping service requires guests to request daily room cleaning, which some found inconvenient, and there were occasional reports of cleaning not being thorough. The hotel also offers a convenient luggage storage facility, which is appreciated by guests arriving early or departing late.

Additional Information
The hotel's overall condition is a recurring theme in guest feedback, with many describing it as dated or tired and in need of refurbishment. The unique two-building layout connected by a walkway can make navigating to rooms feel like a maze, especially when one of the lifts is out of order, leading to longer travel times within the hotel. Guests should be aware that daily room cleaning is not automatic and must be specifically requested at reception. While the hotel is generally considered good value for its location in London, some guests noted that the Wi-Fi can be unreliable. The hotel's proximity to the tube lines is often mentioned, but surprisingly, many rooms remain quiet despite this.