The Kensington Residencies

Location: York House, Avonmore Place, London, England, W14 8RW, London, GB

Star Rating: 4 Stars

Property Type: Apartments

About this Property

Important Information

Policies

Check-in: 04:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Check-out: 11:00 AM

Instructions: There is no front desk at this property. To make arrangements for check-in please contact the property at least 72 hours before arrival using the information on the booking confirmation. If you are planning to arrive after 11:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation. Guests must contact the property for check-in instructions.

Amenities & Facilities

• Express check-out
• Free WiFi
• Express check-in/check-out
• Elevator
• Express check-out
• Smoke-free property
• Express check-in

Rooms Available

• Deluxe Apartment, 1 Bedroom, Balcony

  1 Double Bed OR 1 Double Sofa Bed

  495-sq-foot room, balcony with city views

  
  

  Layout - Bedroom, dining area, and sitting area

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV

  Food & Drink - Kitchen with refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, free toiletries, and towels

  Practical - Rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (surcharge) available on request

  Need to Know - Limited housekeeping, bed sheets not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 4 (4 Adults)

  • TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Stovetop
  • Separate sitting area
  • Separate dining area
  • Free WiFi
  • Balcony or patio
  • Separate bedroom
  • Bed sheets not available

• Luxury Penthouse, 2 Bedrooms, Balcony, City View

  2 Double Beds OR 1 Double Sofa Bed

  839-sq-foot room, balcony with city views

  
  

  Layout - 2 bedrooms, dining area, and sitting area

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV

  Food & Drink - Kitchen with refrigerator, stovetop, and microwave

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, free toiletries, and towels

  Practical - Rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (surcharge) available on request

  Need to Know - Limited housekeeping, bed sheets not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 6 (6 Adults)

  • TV
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Private bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Stovetop
  • Separate sitting area
  • Separate dining area
  • Free WiFi
  • Balcony or patio
  • Bed sheets not available

• Classic Studio, Balcony, City View

  1 Double Bed OR 1 Twin Sofa Bed

  322-sq-foot room, balcony with city views

  
  

  Layout - Dining area and sitting area

  Internet - Free WiFi

  Entertainment - Flat-screen TV

  Food & Drink - Kitchen with refrigerator, stovetop, oven, and microwave

  Bathroom - Private bathroom, bathtub or shower, free toiletries, and towels

  Practical - Iron/ironing board (on request); rollaway beds (surcharge) and cribs (surcharge) available on request

  Comfort - Air conditioning

  Need to Know - Limited housekeeping, bed sheets not available

  Non-Smoking

  Max Occupancy: 3 (3 Adults)

  • TV
  • Air conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Dishwasher
  • Private bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Electric kettle
  • Oven
  • Stovetop
  • Separate sitting area
  • Separate dining area
  • Free WiFi
  • Balcony or patio
  • Bed sheets not available

Guest Reviews

• Kristjan (10/5): Great flat in city centre - Good location, nice cozy building and flat with a nice balcony, all amenities in walking distance, getting wifi password took some time and calling but worked fine afterwards,
• John (2/5): Don't Do It - We booked this apartment for an event at Olympia. The only thing this place has going for it is the distance to Olympia and nothing else. We paid a premium to stay in what was supposed to be a luxury apartment. What we got was an overpriced, tired, broken flat. To start, the carpets leading to the door are all badly stained (great impressions), as you enter you are greeted with a rusty old iron and board. To follow come the heavily marked walls in every room, complete with heavily stained fabric sofa AND stained bedding. The bathroom gets no better as the shower was broken, pubic hair was still present from the last occupiers and the hair dryer was also broken. The precedent is basically everything is stained and broken, the bin, the freezer door, the furniture. Do not let the photos fool you. To top it off, no heating or cooling available AND you cannot lock the balcony door, so top security. In summary, unless it's £50 a night, don't bother, go to the hilton around the corner. Also, if you have problems, don't expect to get hold of the "manager/s" they don't answer once you are in...probably because they know you want to complain. No refund received to date, no apology either.
• Verified traveler (4/5): - The wooden floor upon entry was damaged and planks were coming apart which left it concerning from a safety standpoint.
• Bruce L. (8/5): Great Location for Events at London Olympia - Great location and a very nice flat. Close to lots of good eating options. Comfortable beds, very open and airy. Rugs were a bit stained and beaten up but, clean. The furnishings are sparse. Be prepared to stock the bathroom with necessities. Our water pressure and warm water were not working well, despite their efforts to fix them. All and all, very nice option.
• Verified traveler (2/5): Not very clean - The penthouse would have been a great accomodation had it not been in such poor condition. The location is great and the accomodations are spacious and modern with nice viewa, however, it was very dirty. The floors had obviously not been cleaned and the bathroom floor had hair all over it even. The furniture in the living room was stained and we had to lay a sheet over the couch to feel “comfortable” sitting on it. There was trash in the balconies. The bedding looked clean and fresh, but the carpets were very stained. The beds and pillows were not ver comfortable but they were ok. The biggest issue was the lack of maintenence. They were responsive to the phone call I made.
• Eric (4/5): - The apartment walls and carpet were filthy. The stains on the couch were gross
• Gerard (6/5): OK - Ok for a business stay, but not for a family. The apartment is nice enough, modern and bright with a brand new kitchen etc. However, it all was a little stark and cold. Plus, the sofa bed is rather uncomfortable and very confusing to set up. Its ok, but not great.
• Verified traveler (6/5): Nice place and affordable - Staff is great, room has potential but I don’t think there is enough flat rental interest in the area so some of the things go unused for some time and can require maintenance that may interrupt your stay. Rate was amazing for us and all the self serve features for a week long stay (full kitchen and washer). Shower water pressure was low for our room.
• Mohamed (10/5): Fantastic - Could not complain about the entire experience, was brilliant!
• Nhung (10/5): Clean and Modern - The hotel was just amazing. The staff itself was very understanding to any trouble we had getting to the hotel as well as gaining internet access. There are many grocery stores and shopping blocks within a ten minute walk. It lies near museums and gardens located just west of the palace. The rooms had a modernized look and view to it and everything was extremely accessible. For a complex in the United Kingdom, it is worth the stay!
• Amelia (6/5): - The apartmemt was really nice. However the dishwasher was not working and left a funny smell and there was was no cleaning products for us to clean up so had to go to the sainsburys local to get washing up liquid, sponges and sprays. There wasn't a dustpan, broom or mop. I think if your gonna hire out an apartment at least have these utensils me and my friends stayed for two nights so we don't have a daily housecleaning service and where not gonna sit and let dirty washing pile up thats just nasty. i would also say get some lamps in the rooms for apartment no 10 because at night time we wanted something dimmer in the rooms and maybe a new shower head as the one we supplied had little pressure aside from that we enjoyed our stay.
• Sarah (6/5): Nice, but..... - Our overall stay was nice, but had a few drawbacks. As we were planning an international trip, I wanted to be organized, yet could not reach the apartment rental service (flexiflats) at all. Neither could Travelocity! But without the ability to cancel our reservation, we were stuck, possibly without a place to stay! I finally tried at various hours of the day, and reached aomeone on my seventh or eighth attempt trying via a Travelocity rep. I obtained an email address and used it to my advantage. Aside from never seeing someone at the facility (not even for check-in), and only speaking to one gentleman via text twice, things went as smoothly as can be expected. There was half a roll of toilet paper (take your own) and only one trashbag. The WiFi was worse than spotty, but we were too tired to care. Location was fantastic, though it wasn't until we has two days left of our trip before we found more than one pub and a convenience store that saved my life. I've attached photos of the flat #4, 2F should it matter. Based on lack of communication alone, I would not recommend someone stay here. Happy and safe travels!!
• Hidayat (6/5): Good apartment with poor customer service - The apartment is clean, location is good easy access to olympia station and bus stop but the customer service is poor. The first night I was assigned at room where front door lock is not lockable. After multiple tines call and email, they come and send technician who finally confirmed that door lock is not working and they replaced the lock. Other problem is no or very poor internet and TV signal. The internet wifi sometime works or have internet connection and most of the time no connection. This is due to limited connection used by multiple aparments. TV signal poor due to instable antenna. Extra effort needed to always adjust the antenna in order to get TV signal working. I urges the customer agent need to answer and reply to guest complain, as in my case most of my call to them are answered by voice message who asked me to write email but then email almost never been reply except 1 time by bruce who offer me to solve the problem by moving me the another apartment unit. I hope this sincere comment can be a motivation to the management of kensington flat to be more responsive and attentive to guest complaint.
• Julian (2/5): Terrible. Avoid at all cost. - Avoid. No one picked up the phone to arrange check in. After 1.5 hrs of calling I had to book alternative hotel.
• Marylin A H. (4/5): OK, BUT... - We were told we would be met about 4.00, but while we were there, no one else was. Luckily someone let us in out of the heat. Eventually reached office by phone and got outside pad number and also number of flat. First impressions - very nice. We enjoyed the little balcony whenever we were there in the evenings. But later examination showed clearly lack of attention to detail. Kitchen: no tea towel, no colander; Blind pull broken, had to climb on chair to open and shut. Bathroom: no toilet paper, though did have soap and shampoo. Bedroom: bedside shelf loose, stuff slid off; blind really wrong design as if window open blind flapped and interfered with breeze. (And we were there during heat wave) Sofa bed: duvet, no bottom sheet. Most worrisome was that we could not lock the front door, and there was no explanation on how to do it - a most bizarre design, certainly not universal. Location fine, nice residential area, once we found our way to West Kensington Tube. P.S. When I got home, I found phone calls from you on my house phone??!
• Verified traveler (8/5): Nice centrally located apartment - NO AIRCONDITION - When we arrived, we learned that we could not do an earlier check-in since the previous guests had not left, therefore ended up waiting for almost 2 hrs with all our luggage outside. The most interesting aspect was that there was no one at the apartment, all communication we had was over the phone. The apartment was an updated unit, but had NO AIR CONDITIONING and if you end up going at the time we did, this became a big problem since it was really hot. We requested the apartment company (again over the phone communication) to at least arrange for a fan and even though they promised, in our eight days at the unit, we never got the fan. The other issue was with the overall cleanliness of the unit, seemed like the cleaning crew hired by them just does quick cleaning as there was quite a bit of stuff which should have been cleaned but was not. On the positive note, the apartment is in a good location, generally has all the amenities that you would need while traveling.
• Verified traveler (8/5): - Comfortable flat within easy reach of Olympia. Perfect for attending conference
• Graham (6/5): Nice location, shame about the security + wifi - Location you can't fault this if you are working at Olympia - its moments away and the apartments are comfortable and reasonably spacious. But - The front door doesnt lock - even when locked you can just open it. The doors to apartments (1+2 - I dont know about the others) need a "knack" to lock and unlock. Easy enough if you lived there, a bit trying if you are there for a night or two. The apartments claim a £250 pre-authorisation from each guest. Thats a bit steep. Its the first UK check-in where I have been required to have passport or Driving Licence. The wifi is shocking - regularly doesnt work, then does, then drops out again. Better service at McDonalds!
• Mikey (10/5): comfort and style on Londons doorstep - Lovely local and very comfortable this apartment is worth a stay if youre looking for your own space to come back to - its contemporary finish gives it the edge over other stays. Having two toddlers, we tended to UBER to most places and attractions which was much cheaper than we thought and each ride would arrive in less 3 minutes!!
• Verified traveler (10/5): - We exhibited in pure London exhibition and the location was perfect for us !! ! It's was warm comfortable and just right !! It needs a frying pan though and just cleaning the sofa
• Verified traveler (4/5): Good location but unclean - The place was very very unclean. Location is great though.
• Nik (4/5): Great Location / tired inside - Is warm and quiet. Well equipped kitchen...but... Headboard broken off No light bulbs in side table lamps. Tap in bathroom was broken.. Not cleaned properly (needs another vacuum?) No basic facilities like toilet paper or soap Stained couch Overall very tired - needs a lick of paint and general tidy up No guest information guide re checkout etc
• Natalya (2/5): For 2 people only! - This could easily be 5 star if anyone could be bothered! No toilet roll. No light bulbs in side lights, no bedding!!!!!!! Sofa bed only big enough for 1 four year old, the bedding did not stretch to fit it and was full of holes, see photo, when I asked for a new sheet I was told it would arrive in the morning and it didn't, what a shame! Beautiful decor, but not functional!!! And NO service...
• Antt (6/5): Nice Apartment close to Olympia,sadly had problems - Beautiful one bedroom apartment very close to central London. This apartment needed TLC. Priblems with cleanliness of apartment had to clean up kitchen was messy and dirty. No hot water to begin with. Badly stained sofa which was covered up with a bed throw to hide the stains. Broken clothes airer thrown out on balcony and two mop buckets and mops. This is not a serviced apartment so no fresh linen or towels its £20 extra fee. Contacted Management and complained about the problems with the apartment all l got was Sorry from them with offer to help fix things and after a while decided not to answer my complaints Very disappointing but wasn't going to let this spoil my stay. Shame cos this was a nice apartment but when you looked closer it needed to be maintained and cleaned properly. Disappointing!!!!!
• BJH (8/5): Spacious and very quiet apartment. - Before booking I read the previous reviews and saw some negative responses such as (no key, could not lock the door, no WiFi information, difficult to check in, no toiletries or toilet paper, no heating, etc.) I booked it regardless and I am happy to say that I had none of those problems. I made a phone call when I arrived and was informed of the access code to the building and the apartment number allocated to me. I found the key inside the unlocked apartment. From the inside you lock the door by lifting the handle and then turning the lock. All the WiFi information you require is on the bottom of the router. In the very spacious bathroom I found the following provided: disposable razor, shaving foam, soap, and cotton buds. There were plenty of towels. Admittedly there was no shampoo. There was plenty of toilet paper. The apartment was a little too warm so I turned down the thermostat. The apartment is very spacious, comfortable and clean. The kitchen is well equipped. My only negative comments are: (1) The television uses a plug-in aerial rather than connecting to a satellite dish. This means that when the router is on, the WiFi signal interferes with the TV and on some channels it is un-watchable. If you switch off the router then it is OK. (2) The list of equipment provided on the Expedia page is incorrect. I did not have a microwave as listed but I did have a freezer and iron / ironing board which is not mentioned. Also there is no hair dryer.
• Amit (10/5): - Great stay in a lovely apartment
• Richard (8/5): My stay at the Kensington residents. - Good clean apartment close to Kensington high street and local shops and restaurants nice large outside balcony dish washer washing machine most things supplied that you would need in a self service apartment. The only downside was the lack of Wi-Fi it stated that free Wi-Fi would be provided but alas there was none (I think whoever was in the apartment before us nicked the router box as we were left a connection code but no but nothing to connect to). We spent 12 days there and would recommend it to anyone as long as they don't need Wi-Fi or have a need to contact the people who operate the premises
• Mary (8/5): Nice apartment - Nice property and confortable. Considering the difficult to make and receive calls on a foreign country is not easy to get all the information before and during the stay. They text me the gate code for the key but then never text me back for other questions. Horrible to find a parking spot, but is like that in all London.
• Firas (10/5): Very nice hotel, very good location - Will book it again if they effer me dicount :) Newly renovated building, close to the underground station and the bus stop
• Verified traveler (8/5): Location is excellent and close to Railway statio. - Surprised that package didn't include freecleaning services . Wi Fi was unstable and TV channels were shaky.
• SARAH (4/5): This is not a hotel - This is not a hotel, but an apartment. Fairly clean, with a well equipped kitchen. But "free toiletries" was a tub of Carex liquid soap. The door to the apartment was extremely difficult to lock and the main door to the block of flats was always open, so it all felt very insecure. No air conditioning, but with the windows open at night very difficult to sleep because the neighbourhood was very noisy.
• Emma (2/5): Do not stay here - Never stay at this hotel/apartments. The apartments are run down, smell had no bulbs in the lapms and lights and no cable on the tv. All carpets and furniture were stained. Pictures are nothing like the reality. The apartments are obviously used by students as party flats. They smell of cigarette smoke and BO. If given a revamp the apartments would be good as they are decent sized and close to transport links and restaurants
• j (2/5): ALMOST LAUGHABLY APPALLING! - appartment door wouldnt lock, no heating or hot water (freezing shower), oven didnt work, not even the most basic provisions (not even loo roll or dish towel). Rang customer service number - lots of promises but no action. Emailed since and no reply. A shame because appartment is very nice, but DO NOT STAY HERE!
• Verified traveler (6/5): good for value - had a good stay good for a value
• Kaarin (8/5): Good place but patio door wouldn't close at all - Really liked the apartment and location, very easy to find, use and access. Needed to be close to Olympia and it was perfect. The only thing that has really frustrated me is that following everything being great, the patio door did not close, not even into the frame. This must have been the case from a previous stay as any cleaner/previous occupant would have known. Although fairly secure on floor 2, a younger colleague was by herself on the last night of our 3 night stay and despite advising the apartment contacts on the first evening and first day, nothing was done about this. From a security and safety aspect and being in the hotel industry, I personally don't feel this is acceptable. Despite 2 further contact requests, there's been nothing back on this, resulting in this feedback. It's a shame as the location and apartment are great, but left me with little confidence in the booking company's duty of care.
• Peter (10/5): Great location and fantastic accomodation - Stayed 2 nights for a conference at Olympia. Great location, easy check in and out - will definitely use again.
• Melinda (6/5): Definitely not 4 star. - This is an apartment offered with no amenities including no toilet paper or other toiletries or supplies. I would rate this property as 2 Star definitely not 4 Star. I had to call the service desk several times for access information (which should have been provided prior to arrival) and several times the phone was not answered.
• Terry / Sandra (10/5): A surreal Experience! - First, this is an apartment and not a hotel. We weren't quite prepared for that difference. When we arrived, we found a locked empty building with no reception. We called the phone number provided with our reservation and the very friendly telephone receptionist confirmed our reservation and gave us the access code for the building and told us which was our apartment. That was the last human contact we had for our entire stay. The apartment itself was brand new and spotless. The building appeared brand new and we never saw or heard another person for our entire stay. It was sort of weird, sort of like we were squatting. Also the apartment had no lock on the door, which was a bit weird, but since there was no one around, I guess it wasn't a problem, but if you are squeamish about that, it might be a consideration. We never had the sense that anyone entered the suite while we weren't there. At the end of our stay, we just left the room and walked away. No check out as such. The location is very good, on a quiet side street about a 7 minute walk from West Kensington tube once you figure out how to get there. Kensington Olympia tube is closer but only operates on weekends. There are lots of restaurants in the area and Kensington High street is right nearby. The suite is probably the largest I have ever stayed in in London and is very clean and modern. Overall, the suite was excellent and let us feel like Londoners for a while instead of tourists.
• Vicki (2/5): Absolutely no service here - Arrived early from Sydney and no baggage storage so with late afternoon checkin this meant storing bags at train station for a significant cost. Can had trouble finding venue as Expedia did not provide street name. Then no person met us to check us in...Just a person at the end of the phone to tell us access codes with no other info offered. No information about anything provided in apartment. Place was basic with minimal supplies and the front door did not lock. Could not raise managers directly after we checked in. Left messages that were never returned. Would not recommend this hotel.
• Ashleigh (6/5): Great location, horrible service. - It's not quite a hotel, but furnished short term apartment rentals instead. Check in and out were easy. The location was great, and the room looked great, with a large kitchen/living room with Balcony, Clean and modern bathroom, and bedroom with another balcony. While new, the finishings left a lot to be desired. Throughout my stay both the kitchen and bathroom sinks stopped working - the faucet handle broke on one and the drain on the other. And, the bedroom handle came off in my hand. The absentee management company was completely unresponsive, failing to respond to multiple phone calls and emails over 4 days.
• Chris (10/5): A Gem! - Great location, peaceful, faultless! My wife and I just returned from a mid week mini break. will DEFINITELY be coming back here again! At the price it was unbelievable value.. Wonderful fixtures and fitting, if anything, the pictures don't do it justice!. Tesco Metro one minute away, Sainsburys local three minutes away, Whole Foods Market 10 minutes away(if you've never been GO!!) AND it's so roomy. Last time in London we stayed at holiday inn kensingtion forum, cost MUCH more more delivered MUCH less space. Go, do yourself a favour AND spend the money you save on something lovely!
• Verified traveler (8/5): Frustrating - For the second time in recent weeks I was not contacted by the apartment providers and subsequently was not able to access my apartment without contacting hotels.com. This is frustrating because the apartments and the location are excellent.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Kensington - Stay was for business so use of wifi would have been helpful.
• lulu (4/5): good hotel with poor service - We stayed 8 days at The Kensington Residences after booking through expedia and checking that it had excellent reviews. But our experience was really disappointing! First we should mention the good things : the hotel room was brand new with good equipments all over. It has fully furnished bedroom and excellent kitchen and the bed was comfortable and clean. The main disappointment was with service. 1) There was nobody for any kind of support!. Once we arrived in London we were told to call so somebody will deliver the keys. We had to call 3 times with no answer until on the fourth time somebody answered and told us to call again once we are near the address. We did and called once we are there and had the same problem until somebody answered and gave us a code to open the door and the keys were on the table. 2) There was no instructions about the internet code or anything else and we had to keep calling them until somebody replies and give you an answer to your querey. 3) The water and room heater were not working and the room was cold with freezing water. We were instructed over the phone what to do, but it did not work and we had to force them to bring somebody to check it. Somebody finally came and tried to fix it but could not fix it. As they had no available unit we had to stay over 48 hours until we were moved to another unit with working heater! 4) The second unit we were moved to was on the first floor and was very noisy . 5) you cannot leave luggage anywhere .
• Verified traveler (10/5): Good apartment - It's not a hotel. It's actually a fully equipped apartment. It's almost brand new and was very quiet and comfortable. There is no one on site to welcome you and no front desk. You will given a Code to get in the building. It felt like my own place. I recommend it highly.
• Annousha308 (10/5): Lovely escap - Loved the apartment ... I will get back in the future ... Thanks all 😊
• Verified traveler (8/5): Decent but need to think of service - Hotel wifi terrible and lack of luggage storage facilities on check out terrible
• Natasha (2/5): A pure nightmare - I had for my whole stay neither heating nor hot water. Nor maintenance. No front desk. The Hotline was only partly working, with employees unable to answer or solve a problem, and an owner who never replied to a requested call back.
• Verified traveler (8/5): Kensington Residencies - Very well appointed - and in a great neighbourhood
• Verified traveler (10/5): Nice new apartments, close to Olympia. - Friendly staff, good area, really close to Olympia Conference Hall. Room is nice and spacious one bedroom. Appliances were all new and basics of living all provided. I've rented a few apartment style rooms over the years and this one was quite roomy compared to others.

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