During my quick visit to London in December, I stayed at the Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection in London. This 4-star hotel located in Kensington in a 19th Century Townhouse was a lovely place to relax and have a centralized home base for exploring the best sights in London. You can book the Hotel Xenia on Expedia here.
Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection London Review: Location
This Marriott property is located on Cromwell Road, right in the heart of Kensington, and close to some of my favourite attractions including the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Natural History Museum, Harrods, Kensington Palace and Notting Hill. It’s also conveniently located next to Earl’s Court Station and the Gloucester Road tube stop which has the Circle, Piccadilly and District Lines. This means you can take the tube from Heathrow Airport directly to this hotel, which is convenient, fast and economical! It was also a quick hop to Paddington Station where we got on the train to Windsor.
Beyond the transit connections and proximity to the best attractions in London, I love Kensington as it’s a beautiful, safe and charming neighbourhood. There are many grocery stores nearby, including a large Sainsbury’s next door, which is wonderful for a gluten-free traveler. We had a chance to explore a few charming pubs a stones throw away from Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection, including the Devonshire Arms. All in all, I would definitely come back to stay at the Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection London for its central location, that was also peaceful and relaxing!
Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection London Review: Rooms
We stayed in the Deluxe Twin Room which had two single beds, a desk area and a sitting area. The washroom was well equipped with a large shower as well. While the room was smaller, I loved how we were in the top floor of the mansard roof. I almost felt like Nicole and I were in boarding school, and the decor was incredibly charming!
When in doubt, I always like to book a Marriott property because you can always depend on cozy linens and an extremely comfortable mattress! After logging upwards of 20,000 steps a day, we both slept incredibly well (jet lag and all) in our charming room at the Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection in London. The room was well-appointed with a wardrobe, in-room safe, a fantastic Babyliss hair dryer (which gained serious points with this beauty blogger) and a desk area for doing work or getting ready. There was also a large TV where we got to catch all the fun BBC Crafting & Competition shows!
Dining at the Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection London
One thing that stood out at the Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection London was the lovely service at this smaller hotel. Everyone was very friendly and accommodating, and there is a doorman to help with luggage (and directions) as well! We also had lovely turndown service consisting of chocolate strawberries, French macarons, chocolate pastries and Mineral water were offered to us each evening, as well as a bottle of sparkling wine on our first night! Nicole also received a complimentary late check out on New Year’s Eve, which was helpful for her to avoid storing her luggage before checking in to her next destination. Overall, we felt very taken care of, and it was a pleasure staying at this property.
The Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection Hotel also has a lovely Continental breakfast spread, which included cheeses, meats, yogurts, eggs and pastries. I was able to have a made-to-order omelette each morning to ensure that my meal was gluten-free. We also enjoyed our lattes and freshly-squeezed orange juice each morning! The breakfast was held in a lovely solarium with views of Cromwell Road. It was always an energizing way to start each morning, and the food was more than adequate for a continental breakfast.
The Hotel Xenia London also has an Italian restaurant and cocktail bar on site, which is convenient if you are looking to stay local. We didn’t have an opportunity to dine here, and we would also love to explore the games room and heated herb garden next time as well.
Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection London Review: Design
Beyond our adorable twin room, I loved the design of this hotel! On our first day at the Hotel Xenia in London, we took pictures for my blog directly outside, because the charming light pink, columns and black gates gave the perfect Kensington vibe for my Ted Baker plaid outfit. I’m wearing a padded headband, Ted Baker Catiya Check Sequin Sweatshirt (sold out, similar style here), the Ted Baker Hoopss Check Sequin Mini Skirt (sold out, similar style here), Stuart Weitzman 5050 Boots, and a vintage Dior Saddle bag.
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Beyond the exterior, the hotel was very clean, fresh and had a spacious lobby. It’s incredible how the Hotel Xenia London has utilized the building’s footprint to create a lovely hotel with a boutique vibe. While the rooms are smaller, which is to be expected in London, I personally love the charm and you cannot beat its central location, walking distance to the best London has to offer. It was a great value for a hotel in Kensington, and I look forward to staying here again soon.
Looking for more London Posts?
Check out the Top 10 Things to do in Notting Hill
Curious to know what you can see close to the hotel? Check out my post from my last trip to London where I visited the V&A, Natural History Museum and explored Kensington/Chelsea, which is only a 15 minute walk from the Hotel Xenia Autograph Collection London.
Photos of me by Nicole Clark.
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