London Marriott Hotel Kensington

Opened in 2003, the London Marriott Hotel Kensington has many earmarks of the chain's contemporary design choices. Its mustard-brick facade is encased in a glass semi-circle atrium -- adding a layer of modernism to a standard structure. A modern, curved metallic fountain gives an interesting focal point. Inside, the open design and colorful contemporary art make the lobby feel welcoming and well-suited for quick meetings. Materials like green glass and dark wood are used heavily throughout the reception area and the nearby Atrium Bar and Starbucks coffee stand. Hallways feature playful wall murals of the London skyline, and seating nooks with blue vinyl chairs and small tables for sipping coffee or doing work. The Atrium Restaurant is American-casual with blond-wood chairs and black leather banquettes. Its glass wine-storage shelves reflect the atrium’s shape. As most guests are business travelers, London Marriott Hotel Kensington has paid special attention to its big meeting rooms. The spaces have a fun, retro style influenced by the sixties, such as egg-shaped ottomans, and clusters of bucket chairs on circular rugs. Playful touches, such as a wall-mounted Scrabble board and a wooden track for toy cars, are unexpected. Smaller breakout rooms have wood-paneled walls and green carpeting, resembling a country club’s main hall.

The London Marriott Hotel Kensington is located on the western side of the city in the Kensington neighborhood. Posh and leafy, Kensington is known as the home of Royal Albert Hall, which hosts some of the city’s biggest concerts; it's a 15-minute walk from the hotel. Other notable attractions are Kensington High Street (12-minute walk), which features several large department stores (and a Whole Foods); Harrods (six-minute walk); and the beautiful 270-acre Kensington Gardens (20-minute walk) featuring the Serpentine Gallery and Kensington Palace.

The Earl’s Court tube station is within a five-minute walk from the hotel, and a couple of bus stops are even closer -- just two minutes away on foot. Gloucester Road tube station is just under 10 minutes away on foot. The hotel is about a 20-minute car ride to Buckingham Palace and the Tate Modern museum, or about 30 minutes by tube. Tower of London is 25 minutes' drive (without traffic) and about 40 minutes by public transportation. Travelers arriving at Heathrow should expect the ride to the London Marriott Hotel Kensington to be about 30 minutes by car and 40 by public transportation. The trip from Gatwick Airport, by car or metro, is about 50 to 60 minutes.

The 216 rooms at the London Marriott Hotel Kensington are pleasant and decorated in a traditional style, but they're also small and a bit generic. The inlaid-wood headboards, nightstands, and side tables are built in a traditional, pleasant English style. Overall color palette is mustard-brown tones with accents in black, red, and white. For businesspeople, there’s an adequate-size desk with a leather office chair in each room, and for readers, a comfy armchair. In-room perks include mini-fridges and coffee/tea facilities, as well as free newspapers. However, Wi-Fi costs extra. Rooms are air-conditioned, but only Junior Suites have windows that open.

Rooms range from a 258-square foot Deluxe Room with a queen-size bed to a 516-square-foot Kensington Suite for four with a separate living room, dining room, and library. Standard bathrooms have white tiled walls, and each has enough space for about one person. They have shower/tub combos and toiletries, and hairdryers, and robes and slippers are provided.

This hotel has standard Marriott amenities for both businesspeople and tourists. The Atrium Restaurant serves American fare such as a Reuben Sandwich and Smoky Chipotle Ribs. A breakfast buffet, which gets average reviews from guests, is available for a fee. And a coffee stand that serves Starbucks is located in the lobby. The Atrium Bar serves drinks and light international dishes. For a quick bite there are nearby restaurants and a supermarket across the street. The Executive Lounge, free for guests in Executive-level rooms and Suites, includes breakfast as well as drinks and snacks (some cocktails have fees). There is 24-hour room service.

The gym has a handful of cardio machines and free weights, which are better than nothing but not impressive for a fitness fanatic. The nine meeting rooms on-site vary in size and style. Some are better suited for intimate boardroom meetings and others better suited for larger, off-site brainstorming sessions. Small events and weddings (up to 120 people) can also be arranged. Wi-Fi is free in the common areas of the building (but costs extra in the rooms). Business services such as faxing and printing are available. There is self-parking on-site for a fee.