User Reviews for Holiday Inn Kensington Forum

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Nov 24, 2009 by Aaron from Nixa,MO
Overall Rating: 3

“The bed was horrible, you could feel every coil. The room was tiny. The room had a bad odor. The TV was a 14" and they advertised flat panel TV's in the rooms.”

Jul 1, 2009 by Gayle from Austin,TX
Overall Rating: 9

• Loved the location, it was perfect.
• Bar staff was not good.

“The location worked perfectly for my needs, the front desk staff was great and worked hard to get the right room for my family. It was a very busy hotel, loads of Americans staying there and also a lot of flight staff.”

May 25, 2009 by John from Henderson,NV
Overall Rating: 8

• The location was great, nice staff and room was comfortable.

“Nice and comfortable hotel. Room size was decent for European standards. Small TV but not really in London to watch TV so that made no difference to me. Overall, we were very pleased with this hotel.”

May 22, 2009 by Ann from Omaha,NE
Overall Rating: 8

• Great location. Tea/coffee making facilities and fridge in hotel room.
• Fridge in hotel room desperately needed to be cleaned.

“Good, clean (except fridge), centrally located hotel. Nice open lobby area. Rooms not a bad size for central London. Pretty good showers for London, too. Overall, good value for money.”

May 11, 2009 by Kourosh from Portland,OR
Overall Rating: 2

• Good location.

“Unfriendly and uncooperative staff, small room that resembled a 2 star motel rather than a 4 star hotel. The Marriott (200 yards away) was a much better hotel, and much friendlier staff.”

Apr 17, 2009 by K-S from Baton Rouge,LA
Overall Rating: 7

• The location is excellent.
• The hotel staff really brings the rating down.

“Overall the hotel is nice. I'm not sure if the star rating operates differently in the states, but I've been to nicer four star hotels before. The staff here was awful, they were rude and one receptionist was so mean to me he brought me to tears. I would love to visit London again, but I will not stay in this hotel. If you plan to travel for business purposes this might suit you well.”

Mar 26, 2009 by Phyllis from Austin,MN
Overall Rating: 9

• Close to tube, safe neighborhood.
• We do not like bedspreads-prefer duvets that are changed for each guest.

“Good location, friendly check in-had to leave bags as room was not ready until noon, nice view from 14th floor. The room appeared to be recently refurbished.”

Mar 13, 2009 by Lois from Houston,TX
Overall Rating: 7

• Fridge and tea kettle in room, near tube station and great view from the room.
• Small room, hard bed and unhealthy breakfast buffet.

“This hotel is only a block away from a tube station which is convenient. The rooms are quite modern, but small. Very little room between beds and furniture. I hurt myself in the night walking without the light since the space is so cramped. They do have a fridge and tea kettle which I found useful. The bed was hard and even though they supposedly have several kinds of pillows, none of them were comfortable. Cleaning staff did not change my bed when I had room cleaned after 4 days.”

Mar 6, 2009 by Chris from Houston,TX
Overall Rating: 9

• Clean and convenient! 1 block to underground and 2 blocks to Kensington Palace.
• Very uncomfortable bed.

“Loved the location and level of cleanliness, only down was Holiday Inn level of decor and uncomfortable bed.”

Feb 18, 2009 by Akbar from Springfield,NY
Overall Rating: 1

• Nothing.
• The rooms are too tight and not even suitable for a single person to stay in.

“The hotel is totally not suitable and does not reflect the 4 star it is being given.”

Nov 7, 2008 by
Overall Rating: 10

• During our stay my husband fell and fractured his tibia, the staff could not have been more helpful!

“This hotel is in a good location, with Glouster Road tube station just around the corner. There are multiple choices for dining out of the hotel, post office and internet cafe across the street. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. When my husband had an accident and needed assistance, the hotel personnel could not have been more helpful! I would recommend this hotel and would stay in it on a return trip to London.”

Oct 31, 2008 by David
Overall Rating: 10

• Convenient, quite, clean, helpful and close to the tube.
• Having stayed in sever hotels in that area of London, I have no complaints.

“It was up to date, hospitable, helpful and professional. I would be glad to stay there again and recommend it to others. The price was right.”

Oct 8, 2008 by LK
Overall Rating: 6

• Location and close to tube/subway.
• Whole floor/level and room smelled of cigarettes even though it was a non smoking floor.

“The floor was supposedly a non-smoking floor, but it reeked of cigarette smoke. I didn’t even know hotels had single beds. When we asked if there was a computer we could use to check into our flight, the front desk said they had nothing like that. Later on that day, we accidentally found/walked by the business computer room, so basically we were either lied to, or the front desk doesn't know crap about their own hotel. Poor service and smelly non-smoking rooms, unless you pay extra to get on an executive floor those were the only levels that didn't stink of smoke. We did, and that's the only reason I gave slightly higher marks on the quality of the room.”

Sep 24, 2008 by Vincent
Overall Rating: 3

• Expensive internet, no minibar, etc.

“Room was very small, the cable needed to connect to the internet in the room, and the voice message button of the telephone was not working properly.”

Sep 21, 2008 by
Overall Rating: 8

• Location!
• The view into other people's rooms. No pool.

“Hotel was clean and comfortable. Expected a bit more but the location was perfect for getting to the sights!”

Sep 12, 2008 by David from Pittsburgh, PA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[7] • Location:[9]

• Clean, attractive, good facilities, convenient transportation.
• Reception sometimes not helpful and sometimes not good English.

“Attractive, clean, good facilities, near transport and public facilities of all kinds, excellent restaurant and bar. Reception- sometimes inattentive and many don't have adequate English capability.”

Aug 30, 2008 by Robert (. from Washington, DC
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[2] • Location:[8]

• Location was excellent.
• Staff trying to upgrade me. Room was very poor quality.

“The hotel is located very close to a major Tube station with local restaurants and shopping areas nearby. The hotel is "80's" vintage and needs upgrading. The rooms while clean are very Spartan. Staff was very accommodating upon complaints of room not being cleaned and services not being provided but I had to make the complaint.”

Aug 29, 2008 by Nancy from Kelowna, BC CA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[4] • Location:[8]

• The location is wonderful, safe area near a tube stop, stores and coffee places.
• Snotty attitude of front-desk staff.

“The rooms are very comfortable but the best thing about this hotel is its location. Just around the corner from a tube stop and close to sources of take-away food for breakfasts and/or snacks. The nearby Tesco has loads of fresh baking in the AM, including lovely warm croissants. The staff at check-in and check-out was definitely not welcoming, and not especially efficient, either.”

Aug 18, 2008 by Stephen from Belleair Beach, FL
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[6] • Staff:[7] • Location:[9]

• Great location.
• Small rooms poorly appointed.

“This hotel has a fabulous location and awful rooms. The location is 4 stars the rooms are 2.5.”

Aug 17, 2008 by Julie from La Crosse, WI
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Location was good.
• Ended up being moved to Holiday Inn Mayfair which appeared to be a much lesser hotel.

“We arrived at the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, only to be told the hotel was overbooked and we would be moved to the Holiday Inn Mayfair. We were reassured numerous times that the hotel was actually an upgrade with 50% larger rooms, better location, and same star level. Once in the hotel, it was clear that the hotel was much older, had some maintenance issues, but, was indeed a better locale. If the rooms were 50% larger, then I would hate to see the rooms at the Kensington Forum. You could not put the ironing board up and expect to walk from bed to bathroom. I would say that the beds were not very comfortable, we had 2 thin little pillows on the beds, nothing struck us as 4 star what-so-ever. This has been a not-so-nice experience.”

Aug 16, 2008 by Stephen from Belleair Beach, FL
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Location.
• The rooms are tiny.

“Great location, nice facilities, terrible rooms - definitely a 3 star hotel at best.”

Aug 9, 2008 by Patrick from Reseda, CA
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[6] • Location:[9]

• Great location, right near the tube, nice view good area.
• Very small room, furniture jammed in small room, service unhelpful.

“The holiday Inn is a giant tower with extremely small rooms that are jammed with furniture. The space to get to your bed is about 2 feet. The price these guys charge for this hotel is certainly not worth it. If you are looking for luxury keep going. Also the bellman here was quite unfriendly. This seems to be a hotel for business and stewardesses don't come her looking for more than a bed and a shower.”

Aug 4, 2008 by Gillian from Pierrefonds, QC CA
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• The location was ideal. The staff was helpful and friendly.
• Nothing bad to say.

“This hotel is the kind of place that help to make your vacation (or business) stay more enjoyable. Ideal for singles or families.”

Jul 20, 2008 by Fred from Brewster, NY
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[7] • Location:[10]

• Great location.
• Teeny-tiny room.

“Great for location, but not if you're looking for luxury.”

Jul 19, 2008 by Dean from Orlando, FL
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[7] • Location:[9]

• NA.
• I expected more luxury for a 4 star rating - A Holiday Inn is a Holiday Inn!

“You couldn't beat the location - about 100 yards from a tube station. We took a tube directly to Heathrow for 4 pounds each - can't beat it! Also, although we found the breakfast pricy at the hotel, there was a place right outside that served a traditional English Breakfast for 3.50 pounds (eggs, ham, sausage, toast, baked beans.).”

Jul 16, 2008 by Mohamed from Toronto, ON CA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• Location.
• Did not have swimming pool/sauna.

“Hotel a short walk from Gloucester Road Station. Direct from Heathrow on the Piccadilly line. District and Central lines also run through the station. Close to shopping areas, museums, Kensington and Hyde parks.”

Jul 14, 2008 by Marc from Alameda, CA
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[1] • Location:[9]

• Location.
• Everything was very bad. I would never stay at this hotel again.

“Rooms were not ready at 8:00 pm. Very rude staff. Very old and tiny facilities. Rooms were very small. Housekeeping was very poor. Response to any requests were never met. I will go out of my way to let my friends know never to stay at this hotel. This is a motel 6 pretending to be a four star hotel. How did you rate this hotel 4 star?”

Jul 11, 2008 by Ssd from Shelburne, VT
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[6] • Location:[9]

• It was clean, close to the tube station.
• The concierge gave us incorrect information for the airport terminal. We would have been fine if the person would have just said I don't know.

“It is a clean hotel, room are slightly on the small side with a contemporary decor. In a quite residential area, flip side limited choice of restaurants and activities around the hotel itself. But it is very close to the tube station (Gloucester). The staff was very courteous and friendly. Good worth for the money.”

Jul 10, 2008 by Mary from Hillsborough, NJ
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[5] • Location:[8]

• Great location, within meters of the tube.
• NA.

“I have stayed at this hotel many times. It is classified as a 4 star deluxe hotel which it is not. It is, however, a very well located and comfortable 3 star hotel. It seems to be populated by airline crews and tour groups almost exclusively. And for the most part is nice and quiet. I will stay there again.”

Jul 8, 2008 by Traveller 1. from Coventry, AE
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[2] • Staff:[3] • Location:[8]

• Close to tube station.
• Everything about this hotel except its location.

“This is not a four-star hotel. Breakfast was awful. Room was not clean. The only thing the good about this hotel is its location ( 2 mins walk to tube station). I,personally, would not recommend this hotel to anyone.”

Jul 7, 2008 by Darlene from Surrey, BC CA
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[8] • Location:[10]

• A good hotel and excellent location. Very good concierge.
• No room safe. My jewelry was stolen probably by housekeeping as they were the only other to enter the room. Be careful!

“This hotel is in an excellent location next to the underground, with restaurants and stores in walking proximity. We had jewelry stolen from our room and the only other entry to the room, when security investigated was the housekeeping- they need to provide safes in the rooms. It was very upsetting indeed.”

Jul 4, 2008 by V V. from Houston, TX
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[9] • Location:[10]

• Location was excellent, staff tried their best to make us comfortable.
• Check in took a very long time, check in clerk was more interested in value added sales.

“Excellent location in South Kensington, very close to Gloucester Rd Tube. Infect it is much closer than the maps would suggest. Small, but well laid out rooms. Excellent staff that was very helpful in accommodating our needs. Couple of restaurants in the hotel as well as a Starbucks. Many restaurant choices within walking distance. Good place to live if you do not intend to drive in London.”

Jun 29, 2008 by Sang H. from Denver, CO
Overall Rating: 1
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[1] • Location:[6]

• Location. No more than that.
• Staffs.

“NA.”

Jun 16, 2008 by Verretta from St. Paul, MN
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Location to Tube.
• No mini bar/ice on floor.

“Great hotel!”

Jun 4, 2008 by Suzanne from Calgary, AB CA
Overall Rating: 10
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Location & access to the tube.

“Overall the hotel was very good. Great location and helpful staff (concierge & bellmen) with the exception of the front desk.”

Jun 3, 2008 by Michael from Bakersfield, CA
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[4] • Location:[10]

• Location.
• To get two beds, for me and adult son, had to give up nonsmoking room.

“Treated customer like second class (to get two beds had to give up nonsmoking room) and the smoking room was in rough condition. Included a complementary continental breakfast (a $10+ per person value).”

May 30, 2008 by Joe from Holmdel, NJ
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[5] • Location:[8]

• Good location.

“Fine. Nothing more nothing less. I had the feeling that the front desk clerks were always trying to make another buck off of me.”

May 29, 2008 by Jim from Boulder, CO
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[8]

• Convenient location to the Underground for direct trip to Heathrow.
• Room was small. Hot water in shower was a problem.

“This is a big, modern hotel in Knightsbridge. It is half a block to an Underground stop with direct service to Heathrow Airport. It is a few blocks to Harrods. The room was small & the carpet somewhat worn.”

May 16, 2008 by Barrie from Glenwood Springs, CO
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[9] • Location:[9]

• Does what it says on the tin.
• Have stayed here before. There is always something wrong with the water supply; not enough pressure, not hot enough etc. Rooms just large enough.

“Polite helpful staff, adequate rooms, convenient for public transport. Not a home from home, but a decent place to be.”

Apr 6, 2008 by Barbara from Jersey City, NJ
Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[1] • Location:[8]

• Convenient location.
• Rude staff that attempted to adds additional costs to bill.

“This hotel is in a superb location, just a stone's throw from the Glouster Road tube station. That's what it has to offer. The rooms are small and not particularly attractive. The staff was disorganized and unfriendly.”

Apr 3, 2008 by Kevin from Kalispell, MT
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• Great location, spacious for a European hotel, clean and safe.
• Poor business center/hours of operation. Film flam up selling of services.

“Hotel was well located; concierge was extremely helpful and efficient. Front desk left me feeling scammed though they did correct the error. The feeling of the needs of the hotel comes first still lingers, but some of the staff were very helpful. Very odd opening hours of cafe's and business center. Again left you feeling you had to conform to their needs as opposed to yours. In general a good experience but you had to be on your toes.”

Mar 30, 2008 by John from Karlsfeld, SC
Overall Rating: 8
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[8] • Location:[9]

• Friendly help. Quick to fix small problems. Clean and convenient to underground.
• Hotel keys did not always work in room or elevator needed to get new ones.

“Overall, a good value, but definitely not what I would consider 4 star (example no mini bar, room showing a little age, and restaurant was slightly above mediocre). A good solid 3 star experience with a 4 star concierge desk. Clean rooms and friendly service.”

Mar 28, 2008 by Jim from Columbia, SC
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[7] • Location:[9]

• Great location in London.
• Expensive menu, not a lot of restaurant choices near by.

“Very clean and nice hotel, close to tube station, staff was helpful.”

Mar 27, 2008 by Don from Kingston, OH
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[5] • Staff:[5] • Location:[5]

• Fast elevators.
• Room was frumpy, sparse, and walls were nicked up pretty good.

“It was just ok.”

Mar 21, 2008 by Jim from Rochester Hills, MI
Overall Rating: 7
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[7] • Location:[6]

• Room was OK.
• Rooms were small.

“Average rooms, average cleanliness, average service, average location.”

Mar 20, 2008 by Francesca from Roma, NJ
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[6] • Location:[9]

• Location.
• The room was too small, without iron board, with no storage.

“The hotel is situated in a good location, but this is the only good thing. The first night the heating in my room didn't work and the staff was very unhelpful. I was able to speak with a manager only two day after. The room was very small, the smaller room I ever seen for a 4 star level hotel in London.”

Mar 18, 2008 by Julie from Orlando, FL
Overall Rating: 5
Cleanliness:[7] • Staff:[2] • Location:[5]

• It was close to the tube and it had a couple grocery stores near it to get treats for the stay
• The service was lacking. From checking our reservations to checking in...service was rude, uninterested, made no attempt to accommodate early C/I.

“I didn't find the hotel to be anything special. I felt it to be overpriced, small, and lacking in amenities. I felt it was bare necessities. HOWEVER, I did feel it to be a safe neighborhood, it was close to the underground tube, and there were a couple shopping areas and grocery stores for last minute needs.”

Mar 17, 2008 by Sheila from Dayton, OH
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[10] • Staff:[10] • Location:[10]

• Very good location, excellent staff especially the concierge.
• A call thought to be call collect turned out to be very expensive-66 pounds for a twenty minute call to American express in USA via an international.

“Would recommend it and stay there again. A lot of airline crew seem to be using it. Very easy to get to from Heathrow airport and close to the underground. The concierge during the day on march 12th and 13th was excellent.”

Mar 3, 2008 by Staci from Phoenix, AZ
Overall Rating: 9
Cleanliness:[9] • Staff:[10] • Location:[9]

• Clean, spacious room, great staff, quick service, excellent location.
• The door latches were incredibly loud.

“I was pleasantly surprised with this hotel. It was easy to find and in a wonderful area of Kensington. Transportation, museums and grocery stores were quite close by, as was an internet cafe and launderette. My room was cozy, a 4 star by London standards. The housekeeping and wait staff were excellent. My room was always clean and quiet, except when anyone closed their door. The latches were incredibly loud. The climate controls worked quite well (I was there in February). I'd heard that the hotel rooms were too warm but I was able to turn the heating off on warmer days. I was even able to open the window, which was a bonus. I really wasn't looking forward to staying at this hotel but I found everyone friendly, from the concierge to housekeeping staff. I would definitely return.”

Mar 3, 2008 by Gary D. from Princeton, NJ
Overall Rating: 6
Cleanliness:[8] • Staff:[5] • Location:[8]

• Location.
• Two small beds!

“Not the place to go if you're looking for something with any charm or for a romantic trip. Good for business travelers.”