This was our pick as base for our last 2nights before flying home from LHR. We didn’t want to pay crazy London City prices, needed on-site parking, as well as to be within walking distance of a tube station.

Address – 147C Cromwell Road, Kensington, London, England, United Kingdom, SW5 0TH. Website.

Contact –Tel: +44 20-7973 1000. Email: mhrs.lonlm.guest.backup@marriotthotels.com.

Location – located in the Kensington neighbourhood, the property I later realized has a smattering of restaurants and supermarket options within a 5-min walk radius which aren’t so bad after all. The property also offers unsheltered access to either Gloucester Road station or Earl’s Court Station, both a 5-min walk.

Price – We booked a Superior Deluxe, Guest room for 2 nights using 107,200 points + GBP40 using the Pointsaver with Cash Upgrade option.

Pre-arrival – I wrote to the hotel to request for an upgrade using some anniversary excuse plus we were Platinum and Titanium and received acknowledgement of the special request subject to availability. We also received a generic welcome email:

Check In – we arrived at an empty lobby around 5pm and was immediately attended to but there was a slight incident as we were told we can proceed to park directly by front desk BUT not informed that there is NO LIFT servicing the carpark to the lobby even though it’s just an upslope walk. When I approached a staff at the car park about getting some help, he said he will get the bell staff to come to us, and when that staff did come, he was more interested in making light of the situation and asking us who from front desk told us to park directly, instead of assisting us with the luggage.

The lobby is actually quite nice, bright and modern, and even had a chargeable Grab & Go pantry which I thought was useful for quick bites.

Anyhow, we eventually checked in without issues and were informed we have been upgraded to an Executive Room but we already had access to the Lounge due to status so no material difference for us.

Room – Our Executive King Room (22SqM) was thankfully modern post-refurbishment but felt quite compact for 2pax. In such a compact space, an open concept wardrobe just after the doorway is much appreciated, leading into a covered mini bar space (sorry for the blurred pic) + luggage platform.

The main bedroom space is not big but rather thoughtfully laid out in a way where 2pax with luggage and finding shelfing space were no issues at all – pretty good! The King bed was comfy and bedside tables were generous with space, complimented by the use of a stacked layout.

In this space, they even managed to include a small cosy chair and work desk + chair – impressed.

The bathroom is similarly compact with a single sink, open concept toilet, and separate shower space. Toiletries are L’occitane which I appreciated. But no amenities placed here either – an annoying theme during this entire trip.

And I do have to acknowledge that in this small space was a (melted) cake with a small bottle of prosecco, alongside colorful scribblings on the mirror to acknowledge the anniversary occasion.

Breakfast – this is served from 6:30am-10:00am at Cast Iron Bar & Grill – I managed to take pics of the space off-hour and it looked quite nice with bright airy ambience with plenty of seats nestled in different enclaves.

The spread is a fairly standard Marriott spread but the best of this trip. The standard offerings of scrambled eggs, sausages, bacon, cold cuts, cheese, fruits and lots of carbs, accompanied by an egg station offering a really delicious egg white omelette with extra cheese. Coffee is also the best of this trip so yay.

Executive Lounge (6:00am-11:00pm) – I did not visit this lounge at all except to drop by on the first evening to check out what’s on offer. And indeed it didn’t look like a space that I want to stay long in, plus the evening spread was rather lacklustre and the alcohol selection looking quite sad.

Facilities – I didn’t have time to check out anything else but there seems to be a fitness centre. For self-drive, it is also useful to note that parking on-site is chargeable at 45pounds per 24hour (or per day) even for in-house guests as it is operated by a 3rd party.

Service – other than the bell staff / luggage incident, the rest of the staff we encountered were quite pleasant and nothing to complain about.

Check Out – painlessly done and completed in 10mins.

In Summary,

an expectedly decent property outside of the main London City area which I wouldnt mind staying in again next time if I dont have to be in the heart of the city.