You know what struck me first about the Holiday Inn on Wrights Lane? It’s tucked into this quiet side street just off Kensington High Street, which means you’re literally a two-minute walk from all the shopping chaos but you can actually sleep at night. I mean, that’s gold in London – being close to everything without the constant bus noise.
The building itself has that solid, unpretentious vibe that Holiday Inn does well. Nothing fancy, but honestly, the rooms are bigger than what you’ll get at most London hotels in this price range. The beds are proper comfortable (I’m picky about mattresses), and the bathrooms actually have decent water pressure – something you can’t take for granted in older London buildings. What I really appreciated was the air conditioning that actually works. Sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many places get this wrong, especially during those surprisingly hot London summers.
Location-wise, this place is honestly perfect if you want to explore properly. Kensington Gardens is right there – I’m talking a five-minute stroll to the Diana Memorial and the Albert Memorial. Hyde Park Corner tube station is about a ten-minute walk, but here’s what most people don’t realize: the High Street Kensington station is even closer, and it connects you directly to the Circle and District lines. The staff mentioned that Harrods is walkable (about fifteen minutes), and they weren’t wrong – it’s actually a pleasant walk through some of London’s poshest neighborhoods. Plus, you’ve got the Natural History Museum and V&A within easy reach if you’re into that sort of thing.
The breakfast situation is decent – nothing that’ll blow your mind, but the coffee’s strong and there are proper eggs, not just those weird powdered ones some chain hotels serve. Check-in was smooth, though I’d recommend arriving after 3 PM because they seemed a bit overwhelmed earlier in the day. The front desk folks know their stuff about getting around the city, which is more helpful than you’d think when you’re dealing with London’s transport system.
Here’s the thing about this Holiday Inn – it’s not trying to be boutique or trendy, and that’s actually refreshing. The 7.3 rating feels about right; it’s solid, reliable, and well-positioned without any major surprises (good or bad). If you’re the type who wants Instagram-worthy interiors, look elsewhere. But if you want a clean, comfortable base for exploring Kensington and beyond, with staff who don’t make you feel like you’re bothering them, this works really well. The price point makes sense for the area too – you’re paying for the location and consistency, not luxury, and they deliver on both.