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The Bailey's Hotel London

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Hotel Details

Location

London

United Kingdom, Europe

Expert Review: The Bailey's Hotel London

The Bailey's Hotel London, a Michelin Key Selected property, offers a blend of Victorian grandeur and modern comforts in the heart of fashionable South Kensington. It consistently receives positive feedback, particularly for its prime location and exceptional staff.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The overall sentiment for The Bailey's Hotel London is overwhelmingly positive, with high ratings across various platforms. It holds an overall rating of 8.9 on Agoda, 8.2 on Booking.com, and consistently receives "Wonderful" to "Excellent" ratings from thousands of guests on platforms like Expedia and Hotels.com. Guests frequently describe it as a "gorgeous hotel" and a "super find," often expressing a desire to return.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud The Bailey's Hotel London for several key aspects:

  • Location: Its unbeatable location directly opposite Gloucester Road Tube Station is a major highlight, providing unparalleled access to London's attractions.
  • Service & Staff: The staff are frequently praised for being extremely friendly, welcoming, helpful, attentive, and caring, contributing significantly to a special trip experience.
  • Design & Ambiance: The hotel retains much of its original Victorian charm, with elegant decor, a magnificent grand staircase, and glimmering stained-glass windows, blending British heritage with sophisticated interiors.
  • Comfort: Comfortable beds and pillows are frequently mentioned, ensuring a good night's sleep.

3. Room Quality

The rooms at The Bailey's Hotel are generally described as comfortable and well-appointed, offering a blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Guests can expect flat-screen TVs, individual private bathrooms with complimentary toiletries, bottled water, coffee, tea, and biscuits which are replenished daily. Some rooms feature heated floors and pillow menus. While some smaller room types (e.g., Classic Single) are noted as compact for short stays, larger options like the Classic Room (25 sqm), Deluxe Room (30 sqm), and Junior Suite (40 sqm) are available, along with Luxury Family Rooms. The decor is often described as modern and sophisticated, with soothing neutral tones and slate blue accents.

4. Dining Experience

The hotel offers a diverse dining experience. Guests can start their day with a scrumptious breakfast buffet, which includes a variety of options such as freshly baked pastries, cereals, fruits, and hot dishes. While many praise the breakfast quality, some have noted it can be expensive or just "ok". On-site dining includes The Bugis Singapore Restaurant, offering authentic Asian cuisine influenced by Malaysian and Chinese dishes, and Olives Restaurant, known for its Italian fare. There's also Bombay Brasserie for exotic Indian flavors and the option for afternoon tea. For convenience, 24-hour room service is available.

5. Service & Staff

The service at The Bailey's Hotel London is consistently rated as exceptional. Staff performance receives a remarkable rating of 9.2. Guests frequently highlight the warmth, helpfulness, and attentiveness of the doormen, concierges, bartenders, and restaurant staff, who are eager to assist with directions, recommendations, and personal touches. The dedicated concierge service is a notable feature, assisting with daily activities and travel requirements.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel boasts an outstanding location in South Kensington, directly across from the Gloucester Road Tube Station (served by the Piccadilly, District, and Circle lines), making it incredibly convenient for exploring London. It's within easy walking distance of major attractions such as the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, and the Royal Albert Hall. The area itself is described as a "lovely neighborhood" with easy access to shops, restaurants, and supermarkets. Accessibility is also considered, with a separate entrance for guests with disabilities.

7. Value & Pricing

With an average price of around $307 per room, The Bailey's Hotel London Kensington offers a superior experience at a competitive price compared to the average London hotel room price of $260. While some guests find the price a bit high for the room quality, particularly if rooms haven't been recently updated, others find it to be of good value for its luxurious touches and prime location. Prices can also vary, with cheaper deals potentially found during the low season, such as February and January, starting from around $147.

8. Common Complaints

While reviews are largely positive, some recurring issues or criticisms include:

  • Room Size & Decor: Some guests found certain room types to be smaller than expected, and while generally elegant, some decor has been described as "dated" in parts, with a desire for more updates.
  • Noise: A few guests have reported issues with noise, particularly from corridors due to thin walls or from ventilation/kitchen areas.
  • Bathroom Size: Some bathrooms, especially in smaller rooms, have been described as uncomfortably small.
  • Breakfast Cost: While the breakfast quality is often praised, some guests consider the additional cost for it to be high.
  • Minor Amenities: Specific minor points included the need to ask for slippers and only two bottles of water being provided daily in rooms.
  • Isolated Incidents: Very rare mentions of water pressure issues or bugs in corridors/rooms were noted.

Sources

  1. agoda.com
  2. booking.com
  3. kayak.com
  4. hotels.com
  5. booking.com
  6. millenniumhotels.com
  7. trivago.co.uk
  8. secretescapes.com
  9. agoda.com
  10. uk-london.website
  11. momondo.com
  12. expedia.co.uk
  13. yorkavenueblog.com
  14. laviepartagee.com
  15. millenniumhotels.com
  16. travelocity.com
  17. hotels.com

Points to Consider

  • While reviews are largely positive, some recurring issues or criticisms include:
  • Noise:** A few guests have reported issues with noise, particularly from corridors due to thin walls or from ventilation/kitchen areas.
  • Isolated Incidents:** Very rare mentions of water pressure issues or bugs in corridors/rooms were noted.

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