The Knaresborough by Aura Collection

The room was clean and comfortable, and the price was great. The location is handy for the underground, grocery shopping, and more, with easy check-in and checkout, lovely staff, and a fridge and microwave that can save you money. I may just have been unlucky with my room, right beside reception. People tried the door several times at different hours, and I lost count of how often the doorknob woke me up. The bathroom needs renovation too. One bulb flickered, one showerhead was very dirty and mouldy, and there was no curtain on the bathroom window, so I had to improvise with towels.

We found the effort of getting to our room extremely exhausting. It was on the fifth floor, up narrow, winding stairs with no lift. The top few steps curved and had no handrails, which felt like a health and safety issue. We’re in our mid-seventies, and if we’d been warned about those steep stairs, we wouldn’t have taken the room. The room and bathroom were clean but small. There was a little self-catering area, but we couldn’t use it because there weren’t enough utensils.

The boutique is on a quiet street, though you can still hear the main road nearby. Earl's Court tube is very close, and the little cafés dotted around Kensington make the area even nicer. The room had its own fridge and kitchen cabinet, which was a nice touch for eating in and washing cups and dishes.

The blonde Russian lady who works here is amazing. She’s so sweet, brings a really positive vibe, and made me feel safe. Her customer service is like no other, and she deserves a raise. I’ve stayed at six hotels on the same streets or in the area, and this is the best by far. The rooms feel like proper studio flats, with a beautiful shower, a comfy bed, heating, and air conditioning if you want it cooler. The window view is lovely too. The kitchenette is the best part, fully equipped with everything you need. Perfect stay, I’d live here if I could.