What’s it like?
This small boutique property which opened in 2006 – originally called Base2Stay but since renamed – is certainly discreet. It is close to Earls Court station but I walked straight past the entrance and had to double back to find it.
Nadler Hotels are a small chain but are expanding (see news, April 2015). To see a review of its Soho property click here
Security is good – entrance is gained either by ringing the bell or, when you have a key, by keycard, and reception in the former front room of this grand stucco house has comfortable arm chairs and coffee table, as well as a computer in one corner.
Although the hotel is firmly in the four-star category, it’s important to note what the hotel promises, and what it doesn’t. There is no restaurant, though if ordered before 9pm the night before, breakfast will be delivered to your room by a local café (for a charge of £8.50). In addition the hotel has a list of local restaurants where it has negotiated discounts, but Earl’s Court has a huge choice of affordable restaurants – both chain and non chain, and with cuisines from all around the world.
Check-in was quick and friendly, and the various quirks of the hotel explained (for instance the key card for power slot by the door of the room, how to log on for wifi and so on). There is plenty of art work around the hotel, and it feels like a four-star property with quality furnishings.
Where is it?
In Earl’s Court, a two-minute walk from the underground station on the District and Piccadilly Lines, but on a quiet road.
Room facilities
The hotel is made up of a total of five former houses, and the 66 rooms are spread over five floors, with the majority of rooms being on the lower ground and first floors (there are only a handful of rooms on the fourth and fifth floors.
In general all rooms are small, and different sizes even among the six different room categories. (see fact box for the full break down). I was booked in a Superior King (235ft2) but was upgraded to a Deluxe, the top room category which is 308sq ft (I got the impression the hotel was reasonably quiet this Thursday night, but only from the fact I saw very few other guests and it was so quiet).
All rooms have air conditioning, tea and coffee making, fridge (not mini-bar), flat screen TV and complimentary wifi with no restriction on the number of devices. In fact each room has its own router, perhaps because of the conversion-nature of the hotel, and you find the wifi password by turning on the TV and scrolling through the menu to find it. As I said, this was explained to me on check-in, but it still took a little while to work out.
That said, as a result of the router being in the room, wifi was fast and once logged in it remained logged in even after turning the device off and then back on the next morning. There was a good choice of TV channels.
All rooms have a shower, with Superior and Deluxe also having bath. All rooms have windows (four have patios), and a variety of views including to the road in front and the gardens at the back.
Bars and restaurants
None
Business and meeting facilities
There is a computer terminal in reception.
Leisure facilities:
None
Verdict
This is a pleasant, well-run and very affordable four star hotel in a great location.
Tom Otley
FACT FILE
How many rooms? 66 – six single (13m2); two Bunk rooms (13m2); 18 small doubles (15m2), six standard double (16.7m2); 14 King size (18.8m2), 15 Superior (21.8m2), four Deluxe (28.6).
Highlight: Lovely furnishings, great location, free wifi, friendly staff, good value.
Price: Internet rates for a midweek stay in a standard double room in November cost £155, best available rate.
Contact The Nadler Kensington, 25 Courtfield Gardens, thenadler.com
