High street kensington or south kensington

I actually like South Kensington better than High Street Kensington. South Kensington is on both the Piccadilly and Circle lines so I find it more convenient for transportation into the center of London. Additionally, it is also more convenient if you are flying into Heathrow (direct ride on tube). South Kensington is a very residential area.

High Street Kensington is a little more commercial so it does have some nice conveniences. And you are very close to just about my favorite place to get food in London (Ottolenghi's on Holland Street, just off Kensington-Church Street). The Copthorne Tara often has some very reasonable prices ... you may have a hard time finding comparable rates in South Kensington.

Hi Laura, Thanks for your reply. If I understand you correctly, south kensington rates are higher than high street kensington because of the area?

I love to stay in South Kensington, though it's fun to walk up to High Street Kensington. We stay at the Quality Crown Hotel about 6 blocks from the tube station.

I've stayed at numerous hotels in the South Kensington/Earls Court area (mostly near the South Kensington and Gloucester Road tube stations.)

I'm familiar with the Copthorne Tara. I never stayed but did do a hotel inspection. If you like big, monstrous hotels, check out the Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum, one block from the Gloucester Road tube station. It's the tallest hotel in Europe, pretty much cookie cutter, but within a couple of blocks are two supermarkets, numerous restaurants, a couple of pubs, a handful of fast food takeaway, and many, many hotels. The Radisson Vanderbilt, across the street from the HI, is a series of townhouses converted into a hotel. Closer to the South Kensington tube station is the Jury's hotel (I remember when it was the Onslow). It's about three blocks from the tube station with lots of restaurants, take away shops, and markets on the way.

There are many more hotels in the area. I'm sure there will be others on the board to suggest a few.

Sally, I have seen some very low prices at Copthorne Tara in the past (especially on priceline bids where it seems to go for under $90). The area immediately around the South Kensington tube station tends to be a little higher priced. However, if you are including the area around Gloucester Road in the mix, there are many hotels in that area in a range of prices.

I frequently stay at the Millennium Baileys which is directly across from the Gloucester Road tube station. Love the convenient location (you really could not be any closer to the tube station) but their prices can vary drastically; I've paid as little as 56 GBP for a single there. I've also seen them advertise the same single room for 140 GBP (totally not worth it). The Baileys is a bit quirky ... floors creak, carpet is a bit tired, lots of long hallways with many fire doors etc. I've stayed there at least half a dozen times and every room has been a different shape (albeit with same decor).

I have stayed at the hotel next to the Copthorne Tara (the Kensington Close) which I got on a "top secret" deal on lastminute.com. Room was fine but hotel was overrun by tour groups. I prefer Gloucester Road simply because I like being on the Piccadilly line.

HI Laura,
If I remenber correctly, we paid $ 150 per night thru priceline last August at Tara coppthorne. location is great but cleanliness is an issue.

To Frank II, we stayed at Onslow and really liked it, loved the location. It was sad when Jurys took over the Onslow.

We stayed at the Tara Copthorne the summer of 2006. I got a great deal on Expedia - stay 4 nights get the 5th night free. I had no problems with the hotel itself and thought it was well located, as you know. If you are interested in staying there again I would suggest trying all the different travel sites to see who will give you the best deal.