Central 2 Bed Maissonette

Hotel Description

You know what surprised me most about this place? It’s actually a proper maissonette – I mean, we’re talking about two full floors here, not some cramped hotel room with a loft bed they’re trying to pass off as a duplex. Walking into 116 Cromwell Road, you immediately get why this spot commands five-star status and that 8.9 rating. The entrance feels more like stepping into someone’s rather posh London home than a typical accommodation, which honestly makes sense given the Kensington location.

The two bedrooms are genuinely spacious by London standards (and I’ve stayed in enough shoebox “doubles” to appreciate the difference). What really got me was the attention to detail – proper blackout curtains that actually block out the streetlights from Cromwell Road, which can be pretty bright at night. The kitchen isn’t just for show either; it’s fully kitted out, which is brilliant if you’re staying more than a couple nights or just want to grab breakfast without paying South Ken prices every morning. Speaking of location, you’re literally a few minutes’ walk from Natural History Museum and the V&A – I could see families with kids absolutely loving this setup since you’ve got space to spread out after long museum days.

The area’s got that perfect balance where you feel properly central without the chaos of, say, staying near Oxford Street. Cromwell Road itself is busy during the day (it’s a main route), but the double glazing does its job well. I barely heard traffic from inside, though you’ll definitely notice it if you’re out on the street. What I really appreciated was being walking distance to South Kensington tube – not just convenient for getting around, but that station connects you to Piccadilly, District, and Circle lines, so you’re never stuck with engineering works completely cutting you off. Plus, there’s something satisfying about being able to stroll down to Harrods or pop over to Hyde Park without planning your whole day around transport. The check-in process was refreshingly straightforward too – none of that awkward hovering in a lobby situation. It genuinely feels like you’re borrowing someone’s rather lovely London home for a few days, which I suppose is exactly what makes this kind of place worth the premium over standard hotel rooms.

Rooms

• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 5 adults

Facilities