Kensington is known for the super rich and has some of the most expensive homes in the country if not the world. You can certainly rub shoulders with the elite here and if you want to stay in this area it’s going to cost you! It’s quite a task to find cheap hotels in Kensington but hopefully this can take some of the guesswork away.
Highlights of Kensington … To name but a few:
Getting around
For much of Kensington the Circle & District service this part of London and the many buses. High Street Kensington you are best to go one stop to Notting Hill gate if you want central London.
Hotel prices
To stay in a decent hotel within Kensington you’ll be looking at paying around £250 a night. But if you are willing to downgrade a little bit, then there are some cheap hotel stays to be had. You can then save some money to enjoy yourself within London itself as hopefully the hotel is mainly just to rest your head after a day out / sightseeing.
Budget hotels in Kensington
OK so let’s go through our top 5 hotels based on price, location and quality.
1. NOX Kensington – Olympia
NOX Kensington – Prices from £89 per night
This hotel is located just a 5 min walk from Kensington Olympia station, maybe not the best serviced so either walking to High Street Kensington (25-30 mins) or taking a bus might be easier but the price is very good for location and has very fair reviews online. You are also less than 500 yards from the Exhibition centre so if that’s what you are coming for, where else could be better?!
88 Holland Road,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
W14 8BN
2. Rushmore Hotel – Earls Court
Rushmore Hotel – Prices from £76 per night
You can’t really get a better location than this, literally on the edge of High Street Kensington and just a few minutes walk to Earls Court where you can jump on numerous tubes for West London or head for the centre. The pricing on this hotel doesn’t rise to obscene amounts even during peaks so it is a good option to always check.
11 Trebovir Road,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
SW5 9LS
3. Gainsborough Hotel – South Kensington
Gainsborough Hotel – Prices from £89 per night
Now for a hotel located in South Kensington – just a few minutes walk from the tube station. This hotel seems to be the best value for money with a good rating online, you will have to book in advance and in peak season the prices do go up quite a lot.
7-11 Queensberry Place,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
SW7 2DL
4. The Crown and Scaptre – Olympia
The Crown and Sceptre – Prices from £95 per night
Another Kensington Olympia hotel, just a 5 min walk away from the station but again probably best to take a bus or walk to a better station, taking in the wonderful scenery Kensington has to offer. This is part of a pub so maybe have a cheeky drink before bed!
34 Holland Road,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
W14 8BA
5. London Town Hotel – Earls Court
London Town Hotel – Prices from £89 per night
Literally opposite Earls Court station is my final pick of where you should stay in Kensington if you are looking for the cheap best hotels. Main problem with this one is that it gets booked out quite a lot, which must say it is exceptional value for money. In higher seasons you are looking more the £150-200 mark per night, but check it out and see if you can get a decent price for your stay in Kensington. I would say the decor looks a little dated but you will only be staying a few nights not living there full time.
15 Penywern Rd,
Kensington and Chelsea,
London,
SW5 9TY
Best budget hotels in Kensington summary
I hope this list has helped you with finding cheap hotels in Kensington, if you are willing to be a little broader and look at West London then you should check out this post. Mainly the hotels are in Hammersmith and Shepherds Bush so very close to Kensington with the normal easy transport links.
You can find most of the best deals on Booking.com with the exception being bigger chains like Premier Inn where booking direct is the cheapest option and sometimes the only option.