Central, Compact and fashion flat for 4 people with breakfast in Kensington Zone 1

Hotel Description

Look, I’ll be straight with you about this place – it’s one of those spots that punches way above its weight, and honestly, the name doesn’t do it justice. Yeah, it says “compact” but don’t let that scare you off. This fourth-floor flat in a gorgeous Victorian building actually feels surprisingly roomy once you’re inside, especially with those high ceilings that seem to go on forever.

The location is what really got me though. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Hyde Park (I mean, you can see the trees from the windows), and here’s the thing most people don’t realize – you’re in that sweet spot where Kensington meets Bayswater. The address says Kennington Gardens, but that’s actually the street name, not the famous gardens themselves, though you’re close enough to both Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens that it hardly matters. I spent most mornings grabbing coffee from that little place on Queensway – you know the one with the ridiculously good pastries – then wandering through the park before the tourists really got going. The Tube stations are everywhere too; Lancaster Gate and Queensway are both about a five-minute walk, which means you can be in Oxford Circus in like fifteen minutes.

What I really appreciated was how they’ve managed to fit everything you actually need without making it feel cramped. The breakfast situation is genuinely impressive – not just some sad continental spread, but proper cooked options that actually fill you up. The kitchen’s compact but functional if you want to grab groceries from the Tesco Express down the street, and honestly, after staying in some of those sterile hotel rooms in Zone 1, there’s something refreshing about having a space that feels more like a friend’s flat than accommodation. The decor is modern without being cold, sort of that Scandinavian-meets-London vibe that actually works. Only minor gripe – and this is pretty standard for older London buildings – the water pressure could be better, though it’s not terrible. The Wi-Fi is solid, which matters if you’re trying to work, and surprisingly, street noise isn’t really an issue despite being so central. I guess being on the fourth floor helps with that. The 8.2 rating makes sense to me; it’s not luxury, but it’s exactly what it promises to be, and sometimes that’s worth more than all the fancy amenities in the world.

Rooms

• Apartment with View and Balcony with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults

Facilities