You know what? Fraser Suites Queens Gate is one of those places that sneaks up on you. I mean, you walk down Queens Gate Gardens and honestly, you might miss it at first – it’s tucked into this gorgeous garden square that feels like a secret pocket of old London. The building itself is classic South Kensington Victorian, which means you get those high ceilings and big windows, but inside it’s been done up as serviced apartments rather than typical hotel rooms.
The location is actually brilliant if you know Kensington at all. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Queens Gate tube station (which, let’s be honest, is way more convenient than some of the tourist hotels near Hyde Park Corner), and the Natural History Museum is right there – I could see the terracotta towers from my window. What I really loved though was being on the garden square side. It’s properly quiet, especially compared to the chaos of Exhibition Road just around the corner. The apartments themselves are spacious in that way London rarely does – proper kitchens with full-size fridges, separate living areas, and bathrooms that don’t require yoga moves to use the shower. The decor is sort of contemporary neutral (think beiges and grays), which isn’t exactly inspiring but it’s clean and comfortable. Honestly, after a day tramping around the V&A or getting lost in Harrods, you just want somewhere that feels like home.
Here’s the thing about this place – it’s really designed for longer stays, which means the daily housekeeping isn’t as thorough as a traditional hotel, but you get weekly service and they’re pretty good about restocking basics if you ask. The front desk staff actually seem to know the neighborhood well (they pointed me toward this fantastic little Italian place on Harrington Road that I never would’ve found otherwise). Parking is… well, it’s London, so forget about it unless you’re prepared to pay through the nose for the nearby NCP. But you’re so well connected here – South Ken tube gets you anywhere, and there are buses constantly running down Cromwell Road. The 7.5 rating feels about right, actually. It’s not luxury in a flashy way, but it delivers on being a proper home base in one of London’s best neighborhoods. If you’re planning to stay more than a few nights and you want to feel less like a tourist and more like a temporary local, this works really well. Just don’t expect a rooftop bar or fancy spa – this is more about giving you space to breathe in a city that doesn’t usually offer much of it.