You know what struck me first about Park International? It’s actually got this really solid, reassuring presence on Cromwell Road – not flashy, but the kind of place where you think “okay, these people know what they’re doing.” I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from both Gloucester Road and South Kensington tube stations, which honestly makes all the difference when you’re hauling luggage around London.
The thing about this stretch of Cromwell Road is that it feels properly London without being touristy – you’ve got the Natural History Museum practically around the corner, but you’re also surrounded by these gorgeous white Victorian terraces that make you feel like you’re staying in an actual neighborhood rather than some hotel district. The rooms themselves are what I’d call reliably comfortable – nothing that’ll blow your mind, but everything works, the beds are decent, and there’s enough space to spread out a bit. The staff actually seem to remember faces after a day or two, which is pretty rare for a 4-star place in central London. I stayed during a particularly busy week in October (museum season, apparently), and while the lobby got a bit hectic around check-in time, it never felt chaotic.
Here’s what I really appreciated though – the breakfast room overlooks this quiet internal courtyard, so even though you’re on one of London’s busier roads, mornings feel surprisingly peaceful. And honestly, for the price point, you’re getting serious value. I’ve paid more for cramped rooms in Paddington that required two tube changes to get anywhere interesting. The only real downside? Well, Cromwell Road can get pretty traffic-heavy during rush hour, so if you’re in a front-facing room, you’ll hear it. But that’s London for you – and honestly, by the third night I barely noticed. The location more than makes up for it because you can walk to Hyde Park in about eight minutes, hit Harrods if that’s your thing, or just wander through South Ken’s café scene. It’s one of those hotels where you actually feel like you’re staying in London rather than just sleeping somewhere between tourist attractions.