Meliá London Kensington Member of Meliá Collection

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about the Meliá London Kensington? It’s how they managed to nail that sweet spot between proper hotel elegance and actually feeling welcoming. I mean, you walk into the lobby and it’s polished without being intimidating – which honestly isn’t something you can say about every four-star in this part of London.

The location is genuinely brilliant, and I’m not just saying that because it’s Kensington. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Gloucester Road tube station, which sounds obvious from the address but trust me, some hotels on this street make you schlep much further. South Ken station is maybe five minutes if you’re feeling fancy and want the Piccadilly line instead. What I really love though is how you can pop over to Exhibition Road for the V&A or Science Museum without dealing with any tourist trap streets – it’s like having a direct route to the best bits without the chaos. The Natural History Museum queue snakes right past if you’re into that sort of morning entertainment from your window.

The rooms themselves feel more spacious than you’d expect for London, especially considering the price point. Mine had this sort of contemporary warmth thing going on – not the sterile modern you get in some chain hotels, but not trying too hard to be boutique either. Honestly, the bed was fantastic, and coming from someone who’s picky about hotel pillows, that’s saying something. The bathroom was properly modern with decent water pressure, which… well, if you’ve stayed in older London hotels, you know why that matters. One thing I noticed is how quiet it gets at night despite being on Gloucester Road – they’ve clearly invested in proper windows because the traffic noise just disappears once you’re inside.

The staff actually seem to know the neighborhood, which is rarer than it should be. When I asked about good coffee nearby, the guy at reception didn’t just point me to the nearest Starbucks – he sent me to this little place on Harrington Road that locals actually use. Small thing, but it made a difference. Check-in was smooth, no fuss, and they didn’t try to upsell me on anything ridiculous.

What really sells me on this place is how it fits into the area. You’re surrounded by those gorgeous white stucco buildings that make Kensington feel special, but you’re not paying Knightsbridge prices for the privilege. Hyde Park is right there when you need green space, and honestly, the walk through the park to get into central London is one of those little pleasures that makes staying here feel like you’re living in the city rather than just visiting it. The whole Gloucester Road stretch has this nice mix of proper restaurants and casual spots – nothing too precious, just good options when you can’t be bothered to venture far after a long day of sightseeing.

Rooms

• Classic Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Cosy Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Premium King Size Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Family Room with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Junior Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Honeysuckle Suite with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 1 child
• Strawberry Thief Master Suite with 1 large double bed for 3 adults

Facilities