The Resident Kensington Closing

Bummer. That has been my go-to hotel and their other locations were more expensive.

I’ve stayed at the Hotel Indigo which is in the same neighborhood but it is usually much more expensive; I have only stayed there using loyalty points. It is very nice.

Years ago, I used to stay at the Millennium Baileys before they raised their rates. It is in a great location just across the street from the Gloucester Road tube station; I don’t know what their rates are. I have seen several recommendations for it on this board.

I don’t recommend the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum. I also stayed there on points.

Radisson Blu Hotel, South Kensington. Cromwell Road, directly across the street from the Gloucester tube station.

Premier Inn London Kensington (Earl's Court)

The Aster House, 3 Sumner Place, South Kensington.
www.asterhouse.com

Fraser Suites, Queen's Gate, London--serviced apartments. Half a block from the Radisson and also across the street from that tube station.

The two locations the company offered you as a substitute would suit me just fine.
I would bet The Resident Victoria would be the cheaper of the two, price-wise;
perhaps matching the rate you were going to get at The Resident Kensington.
Forum member Mardee has stayed in this location and raved about how wonderful her stay there was.
She also remarked that the hotel was in a perfect location as her base for sightseeing.

Of these two, I would choose The Resident Victoria and be happy with it.

I forgot …I have also stayed at the Premier Inn on Knaresborough Place which is about a block from the Resident Kensington. I don’t remember much about it except it was filled with young teens who were on a class trip the dates I was there so it was noisy. I suspect at other times it would be quieter. I don’t think this location has AC so would not choose it during warm weather.

My favorite hotel in London is The Bailey's--lovely hotel inside and out, excellent location across from the Gloucester Rd Underground, easy walk to the V&A, and plenty of restaurants nearby. I have stayed there 3 times and generally choose the Classic or Deluxe Double (twice I was solo, once with a partner--I get the biggest room possible that suits my budget.)

I stayed at The Bailey's Hotel in April in a classic double as a solo traveler. Great service and excellent location. My room had a Nespresso coffee maker and a fridge among other amenities. Across the street is a Pret, Gail's Bakery, Paul's , Starbucks and Tesco Express and more.

Join their members program for best rates.

Thank you for the suggestions. I likely won't get a reply from my inquiry to The Resident until Monday so I have some time to research and think about locations. I must say I'm a bit floored by the price difference between what I reserved and what I am currently seeing at other hotels (mid-October stay.) I realize London is expensive; I'll keep fingers crossed that The Resident honors my reservation prices or just realize I need to live with it or find accommodations further out.

We also had a reservation at the Resident Kensington in October which was transferred to the Resident Soho. I emailed the Resident Soho and they confirmed they will honor the prepaid rate.

I am disappointed. We have stayed at the Resident Kensington twice and loved both the hotel and the area.

I can fill you in what is happening.

I have over 50 check-ins at the Resident Kensington over the past 9.5 years. I was there two days after the staff found out in late July but promised to keep it quiet.

The hotel was doing fine but the building was sold. I have a reservation there in four weeks but I haven't heard what they have done for me.

If they are offering you an alternative location, then they will honor your reservation price.

For those who have been offered other Resident hotels, were your reservations prepaid or flexible?

BTW, the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum closed a few years ago.

Frank II! You were my first thought when I read this! What will your go-to location be now?

Frank II! You were my first thought when I read this! What will your go-to location be now?

I had promised to keep this quiet until an official notice was given but others seem to be emailed first and posted about it.

The hotel was due for a major renovation that would have closed it for a few months anyway. By selling, they save money on the refurbishment and can put that money as well as what they get for the building towards their new London hotel in Farringdon opening in 2027.

I was asked what I was going to do at my last, literally last, stay at the hotel three weeks ago. The answer is I'm not sure. Probably not stay in London as long as I used to. I have easily spent over one year of nights in London. Spending Christmas and New Years there was an annual tradition for me but now I have to look for somewhere else.

Mostly, I'm going to miss the people. I'm waiting to hear from some of them to see where they wind up.

For those waiting for a reply to your emails, if you sent it to a specific hotel you should hear back in a matter of hours.

Frank II, your reservation may be safe if it's in four weeks; my email stated they will close September 30. My reservation is flexible, so I will find out if that makes a difference going forward. I received an auto-reply to my inquiry listing their M-F office hours; I'm guessing they were slammed with inquiries today and need to give themselves a cushion to make sure all is in order.

My reservation is actually two separate bookings, one for a single room and the other for a double room as I'll travel solo first, then meet my daughter to continue the trip. I was planning to move to another room-just not at a different location:). I'll see what Monday brings. At least this is happening far enough in advance to allow me to find another hotel.

Frank II, I hope you find another London hotel where you can become a "regular"!

The hotel is actually taking it's last guest on Sept. 21. They hand the keys to the new owner on Oct 1 and they need a few days to move things out of the building. It will not remain as a hotel.

You probably sent the email to the main office which is closed until Monday. At each hotel, the people working at reception are supposed to answer emails as soon a possible.

I sent a note to the RK this evening to make sure I have a reservation at a different location. It was confirmed that I do and I should get my "official" email soon. My email was answered in 10 minutes but then it was near the end of the shift. And yes, I knew the person responding to my email.

I am in the same position with my Oct reservation split between two locations. Waiting for a response but trying to come up with a backup plan in case it doesn't work out.
Has anyone had recent experience with either of these locations ? Basically are they clean, staff is helpful and is the location convenient to tube and not scary or too noisy

Residence Inn London Kensington
London Marriott Hotel Kensington

Have a marriot card so at least I could get points.

I stayed at the Marriott Residence Inn Kensington a few years ago. It was one of the few hotels where I checked out early. I made an emergency call to the Resident Kensington--then the Nadler Kensington--and they found a room for me.

If the Resident Hotels say they have a room for you then they do. They might be splitting the rooms due to a change in room type. I'm guess it's the Resident Victoria and the Resident Soho.

Frank II and the others, I'm sorry that the favourite place is going away. It means those habits of a lifetime have to be recreated elsewhere. Hope you can get a good Christmas experience in a different neighbourhood...

I did receive an email back from the Victoria location and they are going to get my single day reservation moved from soho to Victoria location. I appreciate their response as I am sure it is difficult trying to manage on their end.
Looking forward to our stay.

Hope you can get a good Christmas experience in a different neighbourhood...

Thanks, Nigel. As of now, I'm going to have a new Christmas/New Year's experience in Scotland.

It was strange leaving the hotel three weeks ago knowing it was the last time. I even took pictures of my room since I have mostly stayed in the same room for the last few years.

The year end holidays will also be different as for the past couple of years, my room was decorated for the holidays.

The truly sad part is that all of those wonderful people have been made redundant. I've been told that the managment company took care of them and they got more than is required by law.

Wow, that is a big change for you, Frank. And for people you have come to know and care about. I am sorry.

I’m really sorry to hear this as I loved that hotel. I thought it was a great option.

I am also sorry to hear the news. I stayed at the Kensington location twice.

The truly sad part is that all of those wonderful people have been made redundant. I've been told that the managment company took care of them and they got more than is required by law.

I'm so glad to hear this. Frank, thanks for sharing and helping remind us all about the people on the other side of this news, for whom it's much more than a (valid!) disappointment or inconvenience.

I'm sorry to hear this. I have not stayed at the Kensington location but loved the Victoria location when I was there with two grandchildren earlier this year. But I'm glad to hear they are opening a new location in Farringdon—that would be an interesting location to stay. :-)