You know what struck me first about Cleveland Residences Kensington? It’s tucked away on this gorgeous tree-lined street that feels more like a secret residential enclave than a tourist zone. I mean, Courtfield Gardens is one of those classic South Ken addresses where you’ll walk past elegant Victorian townhouses and actually feel like you’re living in London rather than just visiting it. The hotel itself sits in a beautifully converted period building – honestly, from the outside you’d think it was just another posh Kensington home if not for the discreet signage.
The thing about this place is that it gets the balance right between hotel services and apartment-style living. The suites are genuinely spacious (and I mean proper spacious, not London spacious), with kitchenettes that are actually useful if you want to grab groceries from the Waitrose on Gloucester Road – which is literally a five-minute walk away. The interiors have this understated elegance that feels authentic rather than trying too hard, with nice touches like quality linens and those little details that make you think someone actually cares about how the place feels. What I really appreciated was how quiet it stays, even though you’re basically in the heart of everything. The street itself buffers most of the city noise, so you can actually open windows at night without feeling like you’re sleeping next to the Tube.
Location-wise, well – this is where it gets interesting. You’re a stone’s throw from South Kensington station, which puts you on the District, Circle, and Piccadilly lines, so getting anywhere is straightforward. But here’s what the booking sites don’t tell you: you’re also perfectly positioned between two of London’s best neighborhoods for wandering around. Head north toward Hyde Park and you hit the museum quarter (V&A, Natural History, Science Museum), but walk south toward Fulham Road and you’ll find some brilliant pubs and restaurants that aren’t completely overrun with tourists. The Old Brompton Road has fantastic coffee shops and that wonderful mix of local life and international energy that makes this part of London so livable. Parking is typical London nightmare stuff, but honestly, you won’t need a car here anyway. The staff seems to genuinely know the area too – they pointed me toward a great little wine bar on Harrington Road that I never would have found otherwise. At this price point and with that 8.6 rating, it makes sense why people keep coming back. It’s the kind of place that feels like a proper London base rather than just somewhere to crash between sightseeing.