9 Russell Road, Kensington and Chelsea, London, W14 8JA, United Kingdom
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NOX Olympia Overview

First Impressions

Walking up to NOX Olympia on Russell Road, you immediately get the sense this isn’t your typical chain hotel. The building has that classic London townhouse feel, but there’s something refreshingly modern about how they’ve approached the whole thing. It’s a four-star property that doesn’t try too hard to impress — which, honestly, makes it more impressive in my book. The attention to detail throughout the property reflects a genuine commitment to guest satisfaction and comfort.

Location & Neighborhood

Here’s the thing about Kensington — you’re actually in one of those sweet spots where you feel properly London without being stuck in tourist central. Russell Road itself is quiet enough that you can sleep with the windows open, but you’re literally minutes from Olympia Exhibition Centre if that’s why you’re here. The couples who stay here absolutely love it, and I get why — there’s something romantic about wandering through these tree-lined streets. You can walk to Earl’s Court in about ten minutes, which means the Piccadilly line is right there when you need it. The neighborhood offers an excellent balance of accessibility and peaceful residential charm.

The Room Experience

My room was on the second floor, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much natural light poured in. The design strikes this nice balance between contemporary comfort and not trying to be too trendy — you won’t find any of those Instagram-bait neon signs or whatever. The bed was properly comfortable (I mean, I actually slept well, which doesn’t always happen in hotels), and the bathroom had decent water pressure. Everything worked exactly as it should, with thoughtful touches that enhance the overall experience. The furnishings are well-maintained and the layout maximizes the sense of space.

Practical Matters

The staff here genuinely seem to know what they’re doing — not in that overly rehearsed way, but like they actually care about sorting you out. Parking can be a bit of a puzzle in this part of London, so I’d definitely ask them about options when you book. The Wi-Fi was solid throughout the building, which matters more than people admit. There’s no on-site restaurant, but honestly, you’re in Kensington — some of London’s best food is practically on your doorstep. The hotel’s concierge team can provide excellent recommendations for nearby dining options.

Why Guests Love It

What really sets NOX Olympia apart is that it feels like staying in a well-run London home rather than a corporate hotel. Recent guests keep raving about the location, and after spending a few days here, I totally understand the enthusiasm. You’re close enough to everything that matters — South Kensington’s museums, the shopping along King’s Road, even a decent walk to Hyde Park — but you’re staying somewhere that feels authentically residential. It’s the kind of place where you can imagine actually living in London, not just visiting it. This property successfully combines convenience with genuine character.

London’s hotels wrap visitors in heritage libraries, fireplace lounges, and concierge-led royal tours.

NOX Olympia Accommodations

AccommodationDetails
Double Room1 double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
Single Room1 single bed for 1 adult
Triple Room1 single bed and 1 double bed for 3 adults
Twin Room2 single beds for 2 adults
Family Room2 double beds for 4 adults
Deluxe Family Room2 single beds and 1 double bed for 4 adults, 1 child
Deluxe Double Room1 double bed for 2 adults
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Reviews of NOX Olympia

  • Holly from United Kingdom (8/10)

    The room was spotless upon arrival. The staff were super nice and helpful. All around a great stay!

  • Julie from New Zealand (8/10)

    Great location easy to stroll into town the front counter lady who’s off to the ukrain for Xmas was very friendly and that makes a difference when away from home

  • Sandra from Spain (7/10)

    I would like to highlight the kindness of Mariela who helped me a lot and the guy at the reception of Kensington Olympia.

  • Carol from United Kingdom (8/10)

    Clean, comfortable enough. Staff pleasant (when we saw them)

  • Charis from United Kingdom (7/10)

    Good location. It was nice to have a kitchenette and a smart tv. Slippers were provided which is much appreciated.

  • Martin from United Kingdom (6/10)

    room

  • Shada from United Kingdom (8/10)

    Great location, quiet neighborhood and close to overground station. Comfortable bed and clean room. Heating was good

  • Diogo from Brazil (8/10)

    Very well located, 3 min walk from South Kensington Underground and 10 min walk from others 2 lines (Central and Barons). Location exceeds the size of the room. Well equipped Room with hair dryer, iron, coffee machine and towel dryer. Self check-in service, but supported by reception guy.

  • Tamer from United Kingdom (8/10)

    Quite

  • Kayleigh from United Kingdom (7/10)

    I liked the location of the hotel, as we were attending an event at Olympia and it was only a short walk away. It was a great location and the room was suitable and clean.

Surroundings

What’s nearby:

  • Hyde Park: 1.6 km
  • Playworld: 1.9 km
  • Perks Field: 2 km
  • Avondale Park: 1.9 km
  • Kensington Palace: 1.9 km
  • Kensington Square: 1.6 km
  • The Design Museum: 750 m
  • Baden-Powell House: 2.3 km
  • Lillie Road Recreation Ground: 2.3 km
  • Diana Princess of Wales Memorial Playground: 1.9 km

Restaurants & cafes:

  • Cafe/bar Costa Coffee: 100 m
  • Restaurant Miran Masala: 250 m
  • Cafe/bar Society Bar & Restaurant: 100 m

Top attractions:

  • Regents Park: 6 km
  • Madame Tussauds: 5 km
  • St James’s Park: 5 km
  • Banqueting House: 6 km
  • Trafalgar Square: 6 km
  • Buckingham Palace: 5 km
  • Piccadilly Circus: 5 km
  • Churchill War Rooms: 6 km
  • Natural History Museum: 2.5 km
  • Victoria and Albert Museum: 2.8 km

Natural beauty:

  • Lake Round Pond: 1.9 km
  • Forest Queen’s Wood: 12 km

Ski lifts:

  • Sandown Ski Centre Lift: 25 km

Public transport:

  • Train Imperial Wharf: 3.6 km
  • Metro West Kensington: 1.1 km
  • Train Shepherd’s Bush: 1.2 km
  • Bus Victoria Coach Station: 4.8 km
  • Metro Kensington (Olympia): 500 m

Closest airports:

  • London City Airport: 20 km
  • London Gatwick Airport: 48 km
  • London Heathrow Airport: 17 km

Facilities

Bedroom:

  • Linen
  • Wardrobe or closet

General:

  • Designated smoking area
  • Air conditioning
  • Non-smoking throughout
  • Hardwood or parquet floors
  • Heating
  • Soundproofing
  • Laptop safe
  • Lift
  • Family rooms
  • Ironing facilities
  • Non-smoking rooms
  • Iron

Kitchen:

  • Electric kettle

Bathroom:

  • Toilet paper
  • Towels
  • Bath or shower
  • Slippers
  • Private bathroom
  • Toilet
  • Free toiletries
  • Hairdryer
  • Shower

Services:

  • Daily housekeeping
  • Luggage storage
  • Fax/photocopying

Food & Drink:

  • Tea/Coffee maker

Accessibility:

  • Upper floors accessible by elevator

Room Amenities:

  • Socket near the bed

Languages spoken:

  • English

Safety & security:

  • Fire extinguishers
  • CCTV outside property
  • CCTV in common areas
  • Smoke alarms
  • Security alarm
  • Key card access
  • Safety deposit box

Media & Technology:

  • Flat-screen TV
  • Cable channels
  • Radio
  • TV

Reception services:

  • Invoice provided
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House Rules at NOX Olympia

Pets:

  • Pets are not allowed.

Groups:

  • When booking more than 3 rooms, different policies and additional supplements may apply.

Parties:

  • Parties/events are not allowed

Check-in:

  • From 15:00 to 22:00
  • Guests are required to show a photo identification and credit card upon check-in

Check-out:

  • From 10:30 to 11:00

Age restriction:

  • The minimum age for check-in is 18

Cancellation/prepayment:

  • Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.

Guest reviews

Staff:

7.8

Comfort:

7.7

Location:

8.3

Free WiFi:

7.3

Facilities:

7.1

Cleanliness:

7.7

Value for money:

7.4