This hotel in South Kensington was the former London home of the Queen Mother's family, hence the tartan carpets (now rather worse for wear and faded).
It is ideally situated for a cultural break, being only ten minutes walk from the Albert Hall, V and A and Natural History Museum. Gloucester Road tube is five minutes walk away. There are plenty of nice cafes and restaurants nearby too.
The public rooms are period and spacious, there is a sweeping staircase and rather grand feel to the hotel.
However, it lacks buzz and all looks a bit tired. Our room (Business executive) was spacious, but contained a double and two singles which was ridiculous as we would have preferred a nice sofa or two armchairs to relax in after a day of sightseeing. The buffet breakfast was ok but nothing special, and my room service breakfast kept arriving late. But the room was very clean, bathroom small but nicely equipped and the window made the room feel light and airy.
The staff are all pleasant, but seemed a bit bored.
It was good value for money, but I would give it a good three star rating rather than the four stars it currently holds.
For our next trip we have booked into the Abba close by. Watch this space…!
