London Marriott Hotel Kensington – Hotel Review

London Marriott Hotel Kensington’s recently refurbished rooms, with their mid-century-modern furniture and space-age coffee tables, are reminiscent of the Swinging Sixties and Seventies. The vibe, however, is very now. Read on for the full review.

The stalwart property is now squarely in the league of other contemporary properties, not least because of its supremely central Kensington location. The on-site Cast Iron Bar & Grill, which includes a Deco-style brekkie bar, delivers its own brand of magic, especially when Freixenet Prosecco makes an appearance as the brunchtime bevvie of choice.

Where is London Marriott Hotel Kensington?

On Cromwell Road, a 10-minute walk from Earl’s Court Tube station, which is about a 35-minute Tube (Piccadilly line) or 35-minute cab ride from Heathrow Airport. The Heathrow Express train also goes direct from the airport to Paddington station, from where it’s about 15 minutes in a cab.

What’s near London Marriott Hotel Kensington?

The giant Olympia London exhibition centre is a 20-minute walk away, while a 15-minute stroll north brings you to the Design Museum, as well as Holland Park with its enchanting Japanese gardens. Roughly the same distance east are the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Albert Hall. Earl’s Court Tube station is on the Piccadilly and District lines, offering easy access to central London.

Room types

Rooms begin with a Deluxe Room and work all the way up to a Junior Suite (with a couple of family-friendly options in between). Guests staying in Executive Rooms, Superior Executive Rooms and Junior Suites all get free access to the Executive Lounge, which is open from 6am to midnight. Most rooms have walk-in showers while some have bathtubs and others are accessible for people with a disability.

Restaurants and bars

The hotel’s Cast Iron Bar & Grill restaurant specialises in steaks sourced from English farms that have been given a Red Tractor certification – which means these businesses are practising the highest standards of farming, from animal welfare right through to produce packing. The restaurant also offers an à la carte Kensington Brunch on weekends, along with glasses of sparkling Freixenet. The Executive Lounge (accessible by guests in Executive and Superior Executive Rooms, and Junior Suites) serves free food and snacks daily (from 6am to midnight!) and free beer and wine during the evenings.

Travel for work

This business-oriented hotel has a total of 385 square metres of event space, including nine meeting spaces (four larger Galleries and five slightly smaller Studios) plus five Breakout Rooms. The largest space can cater for up to 120 people. There is a wide range of business facilities, including audio-visual and teleconferencing equipment plus an audio-visual technician. All bedrooms are fitted with sizeable work desks, and internet and wifi are available for a fee.

Gym

Guests get free access to a 650-square-metre fitness centre next door called The Gym Way. It’s open daily and has banks of exercise machines, lots of free weights and plenty of classes (which sometimes attract a fee).

Sustainability

You don’t get a Green Tourism Silver Award for greenwashing. The hotel clicks into the wider Marriott sustainability efforts, which are employed globally across their properties. Carbon and water usage is keenly tracked and kept in line with broader company sustainability goals, which details reductions in water, carbon and waste, as well as increases in renewables.

What you need to know

One of the key benefits of the hotel is free access to The Gym Way next door, so take advantage of the machines and free weights, then head off for a cool-down jog through neighbouring Holland Park.

SEE ALSO: The Best Hotels in and Near Kensington, London