London's Hilton Olympia
 

Any new comments on this hotel? Just got it through Priceline for $155 in mid-June (which might be a little high, but oh well, I thought we'd get some other hotel in the Kensington area.) I read on TripAdvisor that it's not very convenient to the tube, but good for buses. Any food recs for the area?

Kensington High St. is fun to walk along (lots of shops, cafes, and restaurants) and yes, a good route for buses. It's actually a nice walk to either Kensington High St or Earl's Court tubes and there is limited access at Olympia tube station (it might depend when there is an exhibition going on). You are close to Holland Park, which is a lesser visited, but still wonderful London park. I've never stayed at the hotel, but enjoy this area.

I have stayed at the hotel twice, the latest last May, only because the very low rate (around 40 pounds).

Rooms are typical business hotel rooms, a bit faded but clean, very good buffet breakfast. Location is not the ideal for usual tourist sights as reported, takes about 25 minutes to Trafalgar Square by bus. Easy travel by bus, as bus stop is right by the front door. If you obtain a bus map from the travel centre, there shalln't be any problem to travel around. Convenient for to and from Heathrow- tube to Hammersmith, 5 minutes bus to the hotel.

I and my family booked tickets at this hotel as well for May 30-June 5 (2 rooms at $60 per room per night thru priceline). We are flying into Gatwick and assume the best bet for getting to hotel is Gatwick express and then tube or taxi. Although it is too late to change now that I have bought the rooms any feedback on this hotel and location?

this is not one of my favourite areas. there are some decent persian restaurants around though.

it if were cheap then i would have no problem staying here but given a choice, there are many better areas to stay.

The Gatwick Express is never the best way to get anywhere.

For this hotel, there's actually an hourly direct train from Gatwick to Kensington Olympia, a station about 50 yds from the hotel's front door. If that's not convenient (hours are limited), Southern to Victoria then a taxi. Tube is tricky.

The hotel is more or less next door to an exhibition centre. Kensington Olympia tube operates a limited service during weekday days, and if it's not operating (check the tfl site), you need to walk/cab/bus from Kensington High St. There's also an extraordinary row of Persian restaurants opposite.

At £35 a night, you'd be getting a terrific bargain even if the place was in the middle of nowhere. It isn't quite, and the area's perfectly safe. But it's a bit of a hike - or bus ride - to anywhere you really want to be unless you're a fan of Iranian/Parsee food or are desperate to attend the 53rd annual trade show of the International Sausage Skin Manufacturers Association.

Thanks for the advice particularly the train advice. I think I got a pretty good deal and frankly surprised when my price was accepted. Just wanted to say the info and advice on this sight is so valuable.