"Location: Excellent! South Kensington is a quiet, more upscale borough. It's safe, beautiful, and feels very comfortable to walk around. The hotel was far enough from the busy core of London that going back to the hotel always felt like a calm little getaway, but close enough that I never felt like getting into the city was a long trek or a chore. Also because it’s a “boutiquey” hotel, the other guests were civilized and posh and I felt like I was in good company and like it wasn’t a revolving door of rowdy or sketchy people. It was about a five minute walk down cozy streets to the Tube station, which made getting around a breeze.
Cleanliness & Staff: Also excellent. I'm very picky about where I stay. It has to be clean enough that I can actually settle in and relax instead of constantly feeling on edge or icked out. The staff were outstanding. I felt safe and genuinely cared for throughout my stay. It was obvious to them that I was travelling alone and there for the sole purpose of sightseeing and exploring. I had so many questions, and they were endlessly patient. I wasn't crazy about the room they put me in the first night, so they upgraded me to a nicer room for the rest of my stay. The concierge, Firas, deserves a special mention because most of my itinerary came from him. Each morning I'd go down with a general idea of what I wanted to do that day. Sometimes he'd tell me something wasn't worth seeing, or that another day made more sense for a certain area because of crowds or timing. Other times he'd rearrange my plans into a route that flowed much better. He'd tell me exactly which Tube to take, where to transfer, which exit to use, and even which direction to walk once I got there. Whenever I found myself with extra time, he'd suggest little streets, gardens, or neighbourhoods that weren't on my radar.
Safety: Again, I felt incredibly safe. I’m probably more aware or sensitive to my surroundings than the average traveller. I covered a lot of different ground throughout London, and I can honestly say I never once felt uneasy during my trip. The only thing I'd mention, regardless of which borough you're in, is to be mindful of your purse and your phone. That's true of almost anywhere in Europe. Phone snatching is a real thing in London, so just keep it securely on your body and you'll have nothing to worry about.
Food: I’m not a foodie so finding the best cafes or restos wasn’t top of mind. Eating on the go is really easy in London - their main grocery shops (Tesco, Sainsbury, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, Whole Foods) were perfect for my food and beverage needs and all within walking distance. Mini fridge in hotel room was convenient to keep items inside for snacks or my breakfasts if I knew I wasn’t going to have time to stop for something in the morning. The hotel also has some dining options, though I didn't explore any of them during this stay.
Special mentions: Firas and Syed at Concierge, Gauresh and Rosie at front desk, and every housekeeping attendant that ran extra towels or water bottles up to my room as needed. Thank you for making my stay and first time in London outstanding!"
