The Resident Kensington

Hotel Description

You know what surprised me most about The Resident Kensington? It’s how they managed to create this perfectly calm bubble right in the middle of one of London’s busiest neighborhoods. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from South Kensington tube station – which honestly saves you so much hassle when you’re lugging suitcases around – but once you step inside, it feels like you’ve escaped into someone’s really well-designed private residence.

The thing is, Courtfield Gardens is one of those tucked-away streets that tourists usually miss, but locals know it’s gold. You’ve got the Natural History Museum practically around the corner (seriously, my kids could see the iconic terracotta towers from our window), and Hyde Park is close enough that you’ll actually use it for morning runs instead of just saying you will. But here’s what the guidebooks don’t tell you – this particular stretch is quiet enough that you won’t hear the constant sirens and night buses that plague some of the more central hotels. The building itself is this gorgeous Victorian conversion, and they’ve kept all the character – those high ceilings and original moldings – while somehow making everything feel completely modern. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward, no hovering around a crowded lobby because, well, there really isn’t a traditional lobby to speak of.

What really sold me on this place was the attention to the details that actually matter when you’re living somewhere for a few days. The rooms have proper blackout curtains (not those flimsy things that let in every streetlight), and the beds are genuinely comfortable – I’m talking sink-in-and-forget-you’re-not-at-home comfortable. The kitchenettes aren’t just for show either; they’ve got everything you need if you want to grab groceries from the Waitrose down on Old Brompton Road instead of eating out every meal. Plus, the Wi-Fi actually works consistently, which shouldn’t be noteworthy but somehow still is in London hotels. I’ll be honest, the breakfast situation is more continental than full English, but there’s something charming about starting your day with proper coffee and pastries before heading out to explore. The staff strikes that perfect balance of being helpful without being intrusive – they know the neighborhood inside and out, so definitely ask them about the best route to avoid tourist crowds when you’re heading to the museums. At that 8.6 rating, you’re getting exactly what you’d hope for from a solid 4-star spot, just with more personality than the chain hotels and less pretension than the boutique places that charge double.

Rooms

• Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Standard Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Superior King or Twin Room with 1 sofa bed, 1 large double bed and 3 single beds for 3 adults
• King Double or Twin Room with 1 large double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults
• Deluxe Double Room with 2 single beds, 1 large double bed and 4 single beds for 4 adults
• Small Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Bunk Bed Room with 2 bunk beds for 2 adults

Facilities