Honestly, when I first walked up to Earls Court East, I wasn’t expecting much – you know how serviced apartments can be hit or miss in London. But this StayPrime place actually surprised me in a good way. The building sits quietly on a residential street in Kensington and Chelsea, and there’s something refreshing about not having to dodge tourists taking selfies right outside your front door like you do near the main Earls Court tube station.
The apartments themselves feel properly lived-in rather than sterile hotel rooms, which I mean in the best possible way. You’ve got actual kitchen space where you can make a decent cup of tea (the kettle’s not one of those tiny travel ones), and the living areas don’t feel cramped like some London places where you’re basically sitting on your bed to watch TV. What really got me was the attention to practical stuff – there’s actually decent water pressure in the shower, the heating works without sounding like a freight train, and the Wi-Fi doesn’t cut out every ten minutes. Small things, but honestly, after staying in places where none of that works properly, you notice.
The location’s brilliant if you know London a bit. You’re tucked away from the chaos of Earls Court Road but still close enough to walk to the tube in about eight minutes – I timed it because I’m neurotic about missing trains. Plus you’re right between South Kensington and Gloucester Road, so you can hop on the Piccadilly, Circle, or District lines without the usual Earl’s Court interchange madness. There’s a Tesco Express just around the corner (essential for proper milk and biscuits), and if you walk toward Old Brompton Road, you’ll find some actually decent pubs that aren’t tourist traps. The Queen’s Arms does a solid Sunday roast if you’re staying over the weekend.
I stayed during a particularly wet October – because of course I did – and the place felt warm and dry, not damp like some London flats get. The staff were helpful without being pushy, and check-in was straightforward, no standing around waiting while they sorted out their computer system. One small thing though – if you’re a light sleeper, request a room facing away from the main road. It’s not terrible, but there’s the occasional late-night delivery truck that might wake you up. The 8.1 rating makes sense to me; it’s not luxury, but it’s genuinely comfortable and well-run. For the money, especially if you’re staying more than a couple nights, you get way more space and freedom than a traditional hotel room, plus you’re in one of London’s better neighborhoods without paying Knightsbridge prices.