Honestly, when I first walked up to The Park City Grand Plaza Kensington, I wasn’t sure what to expect – the name sounds a bit corporate, you know? But the building itself is actually quite charming, tucked into this lovely Georgian terrace on Lexham Gardens. You’re literally a three-minute walk from Earl’s Court tube station, which I mean, that’s gold when you’re hauling luggage around London. The neighborhood has this nice residential feel that’s way more relaxed than staying right in the tourist chaos of central London.
The thing that struck me about this place is how it manages to feel both polished and unpretentious at the same time. The lobby’s got these high ceilings and decent lighting – not too fancy, but definitely not budget hotel vibes either. Check-in was smooth (I arrived around 2 PM on a Thursday), and the staff actually seemed to know the area well when I asked about getting to Camden Market. The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid four-star – clean, comfortable beds, and thank god, proper air conditioning. I stayed on the third floor and it was surprisingly quiet considering you’re so close to the Earl’s Court Road bustle. The bathroom was modern enough, though honestly the shower pressure could’ve been better.
What really won me over was the location – you’re in this sweet spot where you can walk to Hyde Park in about eight minutes (I timed it), and you’ve got all these great little cafes and pubs scattered around the surrounding streets. There’s a Tesco Express basically next door, which is clutch for grabbing snacks or that bottle of wine you forgot to buy earlier. The Earl’s Court area gets a bit lively on weekend nights – not rowdy, just… animated – but inside the hotel it stays pretty peaceful. I’d definitely stay here again, especially for the price point. It’s one of those places that doesn’t try to be something it’s not, just does the fundamentals really well. Perfect if you want to actually experience London like a local rather than being stuck in some sterile chain hotel in Zone 1.