Honestly, when I first walked into Monarch House on Kensington High Street, I wasn’t expecting much – I mean, it’s literally on one of London’s busiest shopping streets, wedged between all the usual chain stores. But you know what? Sometimes the best places hide in plain sight. The lobby has this understated elegance that actually feels more welcoming than flashy, and the staff genuinely seemed to care about getting me sorted rather than just going through the motions.
What really won me over was stepping into the apartment itself. These aren’t your typical cramped hotel rooms – they’re proper serviced apartments with actual kitchens where you can cook a decent meal (trust me, after a week of £15 pub sandwiches, this matters). The space feels lived-in rather than sterile, with thoughtful touches like good lighting for reading and enough power outlets that you’re not constantly unplugging things. I loved having a proper dining table where I could spread out my laptop and actually work comfortably – something you definitely can’t do in most London hotels without crick in your neck from hunching over a tiny desk.
The location is pretty brilliant once you get your bearings. Yes, Kensington High Street can be mental during the day with all the shoppers and tourists, but it quiets down nicely in the evenings. You’re literally a two-minute walk from High Street Kensington tube station, which connects you to basically everywhere without the hassle of changing lines constantly. What I really appreciated was being able to duck into Whole Foods downstairs when I needed groceries, or grab a proper coffee from that little place around the corner on Wrights Lane – none of that overpriced hotel minibar nonsense. Hyde Park is right there too, which saved my sanity during a particularly stressful work trip. I’d slip out for a walk around the Diana Memorial or just sit by the Serpentine when I needed to decompress.
The building itself has character without being stuffy – you can tell it’s been thoughtfully renovated rather than just slapped together. My only minor gripe was that the walls aren’t completely soundproof, so you might hear your neighbors if they’re having a particularly animated phone call, but it’s nothing compared to the street noise you’d get in most central London places. Actually, I was surprised how quiet it was at night considering the location. The housekeeping was spot-on too – they managed to keep the place immaculate without making it feel like they’d rearranged all your stuff.
Look, if you’re the type who needs a concierge in a top hat and turndown service with chocolates, this probably isn’t your scene. But if you want to feel like you’re actually living in London rather than just visiting it, with the independence to cook your own breakfast and the space to properly unpack, Monarch House gets it right. It’s particularly perfect for longer stays – I ended up extending my trip by three days just because I couldn’t face going back to cramped hotel rooms after experiencing what it’s like to have proper space in central London.