my wife and i will be making our first trip to london this coming october and would like advice on hotels. we are considering the thistle kensington gardens and would appreciate comments.

We will be staying at this hotel in a couple of weeks as part of a British Air package and will try to let you know our experience.

Your input will be greatly appreciated, enjoy your trip!

We are leaving tomorrow for London and staying at Thistle Royal Horseguards. We are also going to be at the Thistle Victoria for some pick ups for tours. I'll try to let you know how our stay was and how the Victoria looked.

Hi Peter, the location of The Thistle is EXCELLENT. You are literally across the street from what I think is the best park in the world! You are a stone's throw from Knightsbridge, Kensington High Street is a 2 minute walk away (it was nicknamed Kensington Di street after Diana!), a leisurely stroll through the park takes you to cosmopolitan Notting Hill (with Portobello market, a must see) and the beginnings of Oxford St. Double deckers fly past so you can literally hop on one and be in Piccadilly in 10 minutes. I often see the Thistle doorman standing in the road, hailing cabs. Thistle hotels are basic but not shabby. Less than Hilton but maybe better than Holiday Inn.

littlehouse-
My husband and I stayed at the Thistle Royal Horseguards two weeks ago. We had a weekend package on American, they upgraded us to a large deluxe room on check in which was nice. The Embankment tube stop is a few hundred yards from the hotel. The hotel's location is very quiet and we walked to Westminster, the Cabinet War Rooms, and Parliament. Have a great trip!

I think AllyPally may have her/his hotels confused - maybe thinking of the Kensington Palace? The Thistle KG is on Bayswater Road - you don't go through the park to get to Notting Hill.

I have stayed at this hotel twice and had no complaints with it. It is close to the Queensway Tube station and there is a store adjoining it - nice for picking up water or snacks.

I stayed at Thistle Kensington Gardens last month.

Hotel is in a great location near Bayswater & Queensway tube. Walking distance to restaurants and internet cafes. Great customer service. Hotel front desk staff are young. I was upgraded to an executive single without asking since there was availability. The single room is small like a dorm room, but spacious for one person. Bathroom is modernized with a great shower. I paid 37 pounds incl. VAT and full breakfast by emailing Thistle directly. Bargain price for what you get.

The buffet breakfast is in a nice dining room. The attached lounge is open late every night and I saw many Americans sitting in there with beverages and snacks. Room service is prompt.

Extremely safe neighborhood. After coming home each night, I would go to an internet cafe around midnight located around the corner and feel extremely safe. This hotel is down the street from Marble Arch and across the street from Hyde Park. Interesting observation is that Thistle has 2 more hotels on the same street not far further down: Lancaster Gate and Hyde Park.

There is a petrol station (gas station) located under the hotel. There is a very convenient store in there. Inside the hotel, you have no idea of the petrol station.

I have previously stayed at Hilton London Metropole and the Rembrandt. I am very picky about hotels. Although this hotel is a step down, it is in the same 4 star category. I will definitely stay at this property again.

JamilaZ, I'm curious...

I just plugged into the Thistle Kensington Gardens website, and asked for the price of a single. It gave me £90/night as a price. You stated your room was £37.....would the huge difference in price be because of the month I chose?

I chose August, sorry.

Anyway, I'm curious about the big price difference between JamilaZ's stay and my query on the Thistle's website.

Yes, the huge price difference had to do with the month. I was at that hotel from May 9-12 and May 15-17. Summer months are super expensive in London. I was not satisfied with the rates I was getting on the website and ended up emailing Thistle directly and that's how I got the good rate. The email address is [email protected].

Cool, thanks.

PeterAF, we are back from our trip and I was wrong about which Thistle hotel we had. Ours was the Kensington Palace. It was okay but I didn't like it as well as the Thistle Victoria where we stayed last fall on a priceline bid. It's a bit of a walk to the tube, and the room was smaller. It is right across from K. Park, however, and there is seating in the breakfast room where you can enjoy your meal and watch the birds and flowers out the windows.

Just wanted to let you know I didn't forget you--I just got it wrong.