ENGLAND KENSINGTON
Five Sumner Place Hotel, 5 Sumner PI. (a 7584 7586; www.sumnerpiace.com). Tube: South Kensington. The amenities of a luxury hotel with the charm of a converted Victorian, plus an unbeatable location. Spacious rooms have large windows, private bath, fridge, phone, and hair dryer. English breakfast included. Book 1 month ahead in summer. Singles £85; doubles £130. AmExMCV.
Swiss House Hotel, 171 Old Brompton Rd. ( 7373 2769; www.swiss-hh.demon.co.uk). Tube: Gloucester Rd. or South Kensington. Large rooms all with phone, fan, and bath. Continental breakfast included; English breakfast £6.50. In summer, reserve 1 month ahead. Singles £51-71; doubles £89-104; triples £120; quads £134. AmExMCV.
Vicarage Private Hotel, 10 Vicarage Gate (tt7229 4030; www.londonvicarageho-tel.com). Tube: High St. Kensington. Beautifully kept house with charming rooms. English breakfast included. Reserve 2 months ahead. Singles £46, with bath £75; doubles £76100; triples £95130; quads £102140.
Abbey House Hotel, 11 Vicarage Gate (7727 2594; www.abbeyhousekensing-ton.com). Tube: High St. Kensington. Spacious pastel rooms with desk and sink. Very helpful staff. English breakfast included. Singles £45; doubles £74; triples £90; quads £100. Winter discounts.
YHA Holland House, Holland Walk (7937 0748; hollandhouse@yha.org.uk). Tube: High St. Kensington. Split between a 17th-century mansion and an ugly 1970s unit; dorms in both are similar and standard. Kitchen available. Breakfast included. Internet access. Book 2-3 weeks ahead in summer. £21, under-18 £18. AmExMCV.
EARL’S COURT
West of fashionable Kensington, Earl’s Court feeds on budget tourism. The area is especially popular with Australian travelers. Be careful at night, and be cautious of guides tiying to lead you from the station to a hostel. Some B&Bs conceal grimy rooms behind fancy lobbies and well-dressed staff; always ask to see a room.
IS Oxford Hotel, 24 Penywern Rd. (ir7370 1161; www.the-oxford-hotel.com). 3min. from the Connex train to Heathrow or Gatwick. Large rooms with enormous windows afford grand views of the gardens. Continental breakfast included. Reserve 2-3 weeks ahead. Singles with shower £36, with bath £50; doubles £5767; triples £6979; quads £87 93; quints £105115. Discounts for longer stays. AmExMCV.
Amsterdam Hotel, 7 Trebovir Rd. (-s-7370 2814; www.amsterdam-hotel.com). Tube: Earl’s Court. Suites include kitchenette and lounge. All rooms have private bath, kettle, and phone. Continental breakfast included. Singles f74-82; doubles £84-98; triples £108-112. Suites: Studios £98-101; doubles £102-115; triples £129-140; 2-bedroom £150-160. Discounts for longer stays. AmExMCV.
YHA Earl’s Court, 38 Bolton Gdns. (7373 7083; earlscourt@yha.org.uk). Tube: Earl’s Court. Rambling Victorian townhouse better equipped than most YHAs. Garden. Bright singie-sex dorms. Breakfast included for doubles. Sheets included. Reserve at least 1 month ahead. Dorms £19; doubles £52; quads £76. AmExMCV.
Mowbray Court Hotel, 28-32 Penywern Rd. (zr 7373 8285; www.m-c-hotel.mcmail.com). Large B&B with elevator and bar. Rooms include trouser press, hair dryer, safe, phone, and bath. Continental breakfast included. Resene 1 week ahead. Singles £45, with bath £52; doubles £5667; triples £6980; quads £8495; quints £100110; sextuples £115125. Discounts for stays over 7 nights. AmExMCV.
