2 By Lamington 102 Hammersmith Grove, London, United Kingdom | (251) 219-4428
Occupying a six-story Victorian town house in Hammersmith
On a pleasant street, within walking distance of tube stations
Stylish studios have well-equipped kitchenettes, some with dishwashers
High tech extras include flat-panel TVs with screen mirroring and free Wi-Fi
Attractive garden area for lounging
Communal laundry facilities available
Central Hammersmith location not ideal for sightseers
Studios offer no separation between sleeping and cooking spaces
Bathrooms have attractive tiling but little square footage
Few on-site amenities or services
Sitting on a leafy street in the Hammersmith section of West London, this three-pearl property has been transformed from a vintage terrace town house into a contemporary apartment-style with 16 studios -- all featuring flat-panel TVs with screen mirroring, free Wi-Fi, small but functional kitchenettes, and a hip veneer. They’re within doable commuting distance of major sites as well, and two tube stations are located nearby; plus there’s a little garden for on-site relaxing. The trade-off is that you won’t find hotel-like amenities here, say a restaurant or even a reception desk. If you’d prefer a full-service hotel in the area, try the mid-range Premier Inn London Hammersmith instead.
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Scene
A moderately hip hotel alternative for DIY vacationers
The next best thing to having a hip, young friend lend you their London studio could be this property. The building itself is a classic town house on a comparatively quiet street, with little apart from some gold lettering on the door and a "Room 2" sign above announcing its presence. Inside, interiors are tasteful and stylish, with a slight industrial vibe, though units themselves are a bit more IKEA than "Architectural Digest." The surrounding area is a lively, largely commercial one with excellent transportation links, yet it's more of a neighborhood for locals as it’s quite a hike to top touristic sites. Despite that and the obvious lack of hotel-like amenities, guests are attracted to the property as a practical and polished choice. It draws a mixed bag of guests (management likes to call them “neighbors”) who are looking for a "home away from home" rather than conventional accommodations.
Location
Tucked amid terrace houses near Hammersmith’s major tube stations
The property is located in Hammersmith, which runs along the Thames in West London and acts as a transportation hub as well as a bustling commercial district. That means Room 2 by Lamington offers easy public-transit access to popular parts of the city. Set on a tree-lined street, it’s a short walk from the Hammersmith Broadway complex, which includes a big bus station, a pair of tube stations plus a shopping center with a selection of practical-minded stores (a Tesco supermarket among them) as well as fast-food eateries. Other more enticing retail and dining options abound on the district’s lively main streets, but you’ll have to spend 25 to 45 minutes on the tube if you want to see London’s premier attractions. - Six-minute walk to Hammersmith Broadway
Rooms
Simple yet stylish, well-equipped studios with little kitchenettes
Although the coordinating furniture here may recall IKEA, the end result is a cut above in terms of style: Plain pine bed frames, for instance, are given tall upholstered headboards, then topped with orthopedic mattresses and quality linens. Metal-trimmed dinette sets and matte-black accents lend the otherwise earthy decor a slightly industrial edge; meanwhile, messages stenciled around the room (“Fix Up, Look Sharp” beside the mirror, “Time for Wine” inside a kitchen cabinet) inject a bit of whimsy, and message boards provide a homey touch.The studios range in size from 150 to 270 square feet, but all have large windows and lots of natural light, which help keep even the smallest from feeling too tight. All also boast 40-inch flat-panel TVs with screen mirroring for Apple and Android devices, USB chargers and fast free Wi-Fi. Their wee in-room kitchenettes come with mini fridges, two-burner induction stove-tops, microwaves, electric kettles, toasters, and a reasonable selection of kitchenware; the priciest categories add dishwashers along with extra space. Bathrooms across the board have only enough room to fit a sink, toilet and glass shower enclosure, yet they do have attractive subway tiles and are stocked with toiletries (a welcome addition in self-catering digs).
Features
Expect homey elements instead of hotel amenities.
In terms of hotel-worthy features, Room 2 by Lamington is perhaps best described by what it doesn’t have -- which is virtually everything save for free Wi-Fi and a furnished garden patio that has enough greenery to qualify as an urban oasis. Vending machines replace a restaurant, loaner yoga maps stand in for a fitness center, and communal washers and dryers are offered in lieu of laundry/dry-cleaning services. There isn’t even a lobby reception area here, just a narrow hall leading to the elevator and stairwell: guests are electronically provided with keypad codes that permit entry prior to arrival and are simply emailed an invoice at the end of their stay. If issues arise, however, they can be dealt with 24/7 at Lamington (a sister property located about 100 yards away).
