Grange Strathmore

Stayed here on our first night in London, before we checked in to a longer stay. Just what we wanted good location, easy to check in and out, pleasant room, plenty of restaurants of all sorts within the block.

The location is perfect, 2 minutes walk from Gloucester tube station. The single room I booked is very comfortable. Overall a very good value.

The room, location and staff were excellent. But there is no free wifi. It costs 5 pounds ($8.35) for one-hour or 10 pounds ($16.71) for 24-hours. Also I tried to order just coffee at breakfast but had to order the continental breakfast for 18 pounds ($30.07) for coffee, toast and meager selection of meets, cheeses and cereals. There are several good breakfast places near the Gloucester Road Tube station nearby.

Room was clean, well-furnished and attractively decorated but was barely large enough to walk around the furniture. The bathroom was too small to bend over and dry with a towel, and the shower lacked any shelf for soap, etc. For some reason the room was overheated and the window was left open by the housekeepers (outside temps in the 50's and 60's) all day to keep it comfortable -- no screens either, but evidently no bugs in Kensington. Bed was pretty hard. Stayed six nights and staff kept the room well cleaned-up and towels replaced daily. Tube station on a main line a block and a half away, with drug store, post office, grocery and restaurants all clustered near the station. Straight run in on the tube from Heathrow on the Piccadilly line -- no need to change stations hauling luggage. Not too noisy considering main roads nearby, even with window open. Not a bad deal for the price I booked for and would consider it again.

If you just need a place to sleep but have a great location close to the shopping in Kensington and chic Chelsea then this is a great find. The hotel is undergoing a much needed face-lift and the price was discounted accordingly. The room we had was brand new from a very recent face-lft. Be sure to get a room with a eastern exposure as we had one that faced west and was too hot, since their was no AC control for the room.

admittedly, the room was less than $100 but there's still a lot to be desired of this hotel. summary: a) great location close to a couple of tube stations on picadilly line and to kensington's attractions b) there's NO gym or fitness room c) hotel interior is dated and borderline down-trodden d) wireless in GBP 10 extra for 24 hours e) good staff f) building itself is stunning and, to reiterate, the location is quite special the problem with the hotel is that it could be so much more that it is. an historic building in a very desirable location with easy access to tube and local sights should deliver more... then again, it would probably cost a lot more than $100 if it did.