The Drey - Kensington, Earl's Court

The Drey has a great location, just a short walk to the metro, and the staff are amazing and so helpful. It's an affordable, clean place with good service and everything you need. The rooms have the necessities and a comfortable bed. The rooms are on the smaller side, which American visitors may need to get used to, though that's clear from the website. I don't think there's a TV in the rooms, but I didn't miss having one. I'll stay here again!

The photos online look great, the large windows made the room bright, and the interior design was stylish. But the only real advantage was being close to Earl’s Court underground station. I wouldn't stay here again. It was 16 degrees in the room when we arrived, and the heating kept switching off whenever we left. Each time we came back over the next four days, it was freezing again. There were no slippers or anything similar, so it was a very uncomfortable stay. The stylish design also came at the expense of practical use. There was no storage at all, so we had to leave everything in an open suitcase on the floor. The sink leaked, and its design let water spread into parts of the room, which was frustrating. The room rate also didn't include anything beyond two small bottles of water a day and a very basic espresso. After checkout, we were asked to pay £10 to store our luggage for a few hours, about three. We'd expected a beautifully designed hotel with quality and service to match the price.

The team made a great impression, from letting me leave my luggage when I arrived to answering messages quickly through their app. Everyone was genuinely friendly and seemed to care about guests having a good stay. I was there in early December, just two weeks after they opened, and had a really good experience. Earl's Court Station is close, the neighborhood felt safe, and there are plenty of shops nearby. My room was small, which worked well since I spent most of my time out in London. It was clean and cozy, with a very comfortable bed. I’d happily stay again and recommend it to others. Looking forward to seeing the place grow and its systems improve.

I could get into my room early, and check-in was straightforward. Sainsbury’s is nearby, so picking up groceries each day was easy. I only wished there were a mini fridge for my soda and water. The room felt quiet and peaceful, more like a welcoming room in someone’s home than a typical hotel. It was beautiful and cozy. A lovely stay, thank you!