34-44 Barkston Gardens, London, United Kingdom | (888) 252-0567
Smart, colorful and sophisticated design
Playful Victorian manor house theme
Rooms modeled after lavish boudoirs
Chic Mansion Bar and Parlour
Free Wi-Fi
Free minibar snacks and refreshments
Toiletries from Aveda and Gilchrist & Soames
Near the Earl's Court tube in Kensington
Some complaints of faulty room temperature controls
Little within walking distance
As the leading flagship of sorts amongst the Hotel Indigos of London, this Kensington/Earl’s Court branch seems to have more of a cohesive personality driving its brand. It’s a sassy, rococo-themed luxury hotel with a coquettish manor house theme and playful design quirks. With plenty of modernized baroque furniture in bright hues of pink, lime and teal, this Hotel Indigo stands out boldly above its sisters and is an overall delight -- just beware the occasional maintenance faults. The location on the west edge of Kensington isn't within walking distance of many sights, but the Earl's Court tube station is right nearby.
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Scene
Smart, saucy and sophisticated with a playful concept and fun design quirks
After a quick walk-through you’ll soon notice this hotel is packed with personality -- in fact this may be the closest you can get to a London chain hotel with a unique luxury boutique feel. From the abundant magenta velvet, and rococo- and French boudoir-themed furniture, to the quirky Victorian manor house theme, this Hotel Indigo definitely sets itself apart from its sisters as the bold, sassy alternative.Each floor is themed after a different color -- ranging from lime to teal and fuchsia -- while hallways are dotted with quirky portraits of Victorian Lordships and Ladyships, in keeping with the playful manor house concept, which is meant to reflect the building’s history as a former manor house from Victorian times. With a commissioned designer managing the smart, sophisticated package of quirky design concepts and charming baroque furniture with a modern twist, it’s no wonder this hotel stands out.
Location
On a quiet side street just by Edgware Road station, on the west edge of Kensington
Located just around the block from places where Freddie Mercury and Mahatma Gandhi have stayed, this hotel is on a quiet residential side street that’s a convenient two-minute walk from Earl’s Court tube station. Earl’s Court doesn’t offer much in itself, and the ethnically mixed population here consists mostly of local residents and workers. There is little within walking distance, but it's a 12-minute tube ride to South Kensington station and the Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum. Shopping at Harrods is 10 minutes by tube.
Rooms
Individual color themes, quirky modernized rococo-themed furniture, and glossy, spacious bathrooms
Occasional maintenance issues aside, rooms are stylish and have been designed to evoke the modern boudoir: think bright colors, pampering amenities, and baroque furniture with a playful modern twist. The idea is to imagine yourself as a Victorian Lord or Lady retiring to his or her personal boudoir for fun and relaxation -- the room even comes complete with “Her Ladyship” and “His Lordship” mugs to help you ease into the role. Sleek bathrooms have black tiling and rainfall showerheads.
Features
A playful manor house theme, a stylish bar, and a small gym
With even the staff labeled as Lords and Ladies of the "house," it’s not difficult to play along with the quirky Victorian manor house theme during your stay. The Mansion Bar & Parlour serves as a destination bar for molecular and carbonized cocktails -- and comes complete with a private hire VIP area with plenty of magenta velvet rococo furniture. There’s also a small gym with exercise balls, free weights, and a few cardio machines.
