Kensington Hotel
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Summary of reviewsThe Kensington Hotel offers a convenient and picturesque location with guests consistently praising its proximity to Bournemouth's beach, town center, promenade and a variety of popular attractions and restaurants. The availability of free and secure parking further enhances its appeal, making it a well-rounded choice for travelers looking for comfort and accessibility in a coastal setting.
While breakfast availability has been a significant point of contention with many guests expressing disappointment over the lack of service despite advertisements to the contrary, the hotel's central location allows easy access to alternative dining options. Dinner service also received mixed reviews, where staff's helpfulness in providing dining recommendations was appreciated, though the absence of a functional restaurant and bar within the hotel was noted as a drawback.
Guest experiences with the rooms vary widely. On the positive side, rooms are frequently cited as spacious and clean, particularly family-sized spaces equipped with modern amenities. However, numerous guests reported issues with outdated and poorly maintained rooms, including problems with cleanliness, malfunctioning fixtures and uncomfortable bedding. Some rooms, especially bathrooms, could use significant upgrades to meet guest expectations.
The staff receives largely positive feedback, described as friendly, welcoming and helpful. Reception staff, in particular, are frequently commended for their warm hospitality and willingness to go above and beyond. However, inconsistencies in service were occasionally noted with some reviews mentioning unhelpful or less visible staff members.
WiFi service at the hotel is mixed; while some guests found the connection satisfactory, others experienced issues with speed and connectivity. The hotel's prime location near the beach is consistently praised, providing guests with easy access to scenic walks and seaside activities.
While family accommodations are spacious and well-equipped, certain aspects such as cleanliness, dated facilities and occasional noise from nearby nightlife could be improved. Nonetheless, many families appreciated the secure environment and proximity to local attractions.
Parking is generally well-received with ample free parking available, though the layout can be tight. The hotel’s strategic location makes it easy to enjoy the vibrant nightlife nearby, although noise from groups and local bars can sometimes disrupt the peace.
Overall, while Kensington Hotel offers many positives in terms of location, friendly staff and parking convenience, there are several areas needing improvement, particularly in breakfast service, room maintenance and ensuring consistent cleanliness and comfort for all guests.
Categories
While breakfast availability has been a significant point of contention with many guests expressing disappointment over the lack of service despite advertisements to the contrary, the hotel's central location allows easy access to alternative dining options. Dinner service also received mixed reviews, where staff's helpfulness in providing dining recommendations was appreciated, though the absence of a functional restaurant and bar within the hotel was noted as a drawback.
Guest experiences with the rooms vary widely. On the positive side, rooms are frequently cited as spacious and clean, particularly family-sized spaces equipped with modern amenities. However, numerous guests reported issues with outdated and poorly maintained rooms, including problems with cleanliness, malfunctioning fixtures and uncomfortable bedding. Some rooms, especially bathrooms, could use significant upgrades to meet guest expectations.
The staff receives largely positive feedback, described as friendly, welcoming and helpful. Reception staff, in particular, are frequently commended for their warm hospitality and willingness to go above and beyond. However, inconsistencies in service were occasionally noted with some reviews mentioning unhelpful or less visible staff members.
WiFi service at the hotel is mixed; while some guests found the connection satisfactory, others experienced issues with speed and connectivity. The hotel's prime location near the beach is consistently praised, providing guests with easy access to scenic walks and seaside activities.
While family accommodations are spacious and well-equipped, certain aspects such as cleanliness, dated facilities and occasional noise from nearby nightlife could be improved. Nonetheless, many families appreciated the secure environment and proximity to local attractions.
Parking is generally well-received with ample free parking available, though the layout can be tight. The hotel’s strategic location makes it easy to enjoy the vibrant nightlife nearby, although noise from groups and local bars can sometimes disrupt the peace.
Overall, while Kensington Hotel offers many positives in terms of location, friendly staff and parking convenience, there are several areas needing improvement, particularly in breakfast service, room maintenance and ensuring consistent cleanliness and comfort for all guests.
Hotel with Free Wi-Fi
Kensington Hotel offers free Wi-Fi. The hotel is located on 18 Durley Chine Road in Bournemouth.
Cheap Hotel
This hotel offers budget-friendly rates. It is a practical option for travelers seeking to minimize accommodation expenses.
Hotel near The Beach
Family Friendly Hotel
Hotel near Nightlife Spots
Hotel with Parking
Guest Reviews
The Kensington Hotel boasts a prime location that garners consistent praise from its guests, making it an ideal spot for travelers looking to explore Bournemouth. Situated centrally, the hotel is a short walk to both the beach and town center, ensuring easy access to the sandy shores and vibrant local amenities. Guests appreciate the convenience of being near popular attractions, shops, restaurants and the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). The hotel’s proximity to public transport, beach promenades and nightlife further enhances its appeal. Additionally, the availability of free and secure parking adds to the overall value, making it a well-rounded choice for visitors seeking both comfort and accessibility in a picturesque coastal setting.
The Kensington Hotel has received a significant amount of feedback regarding its breakfast service or rather the lack thereof. Many guests noted that there was no breakfast available despite advertisements suggesting otherwise. This left several guests disappointed, as there was no kitchen or dining room service provided at all. Some guests indicated that breakfast was only offered on weekends, but not during the week, while others mentioned that even when breakfast was available, it was chaotic or inedible.
Guests looking forward to breakfast at the hotel often had to venture out to find alternatives, which wasn't always convenient. There were also remarks about a closed bar and dining area, indicating an overall lack of food and drink services on-site. Despite some suggestions for simple breakfast offerings like fruit, cereal and toast, these were not implemented during their stay.
In summary, while the Kensington Hotel may provide other satisfactory services, its current state of breakfast offerings—or lack thereof—has left many guests dissatisfied, contributing to a less than ideal stay for those who value a convenient morning meal.
The dinner experience at Kensington Hotel seems to have garnered mixed reactions from guests. On the positive side, guests appreciated the helpful staff who provided good recommendations for breakfast and dinner options nearby. However, several reviews highlight significant drawbacks. The restaurant was out of action with some guests expressing frustrations over the absence of a functioning bar or dining options within the hotel. This included not even being able to purchase soft drinks for the room. Additionally, strong cooking smells late in the evening and a lack of accommodations for disabled guests further detracted from the overall experience. Some guests reported being treated rudely regarding dinner timings and the hotel's staff occasionally spoke negatively about the surrounding area. Generally, the reviews suggest that while there are some good points, the hotel could improve its dining services substantially to better meet guest expectations.
Guest reviews of Kensington Hotel paint a mixed picture of the rooms. On the positive side, many guests appreciated the spaciousness and cleanliness of some rooms, describing them as big, comfortable and well-presented. Family rooms were highlighted as being of a good size, often with new carpeting. Guests mentioned the rooms being clean and tidy with basic amenities like clean sheets, TV and kettle facilities and praised the central location close to the sea front.
However, numerous complaints emphasized various issues across different rooms. Many reviews mentioned rooms being small, outdated and in need of repair and maintenance. Frequent problems included dirty carpets, broken blinds, malfunctioning showers, stained bed linens and lack of basic supplies such as towels, shampoo and toilet paper. There were also reports of rooms being stuffy, too hot or poorly ventilated with issues like broken taps, uncomfortable beds and noisy surroundings.
Several guests reported that rooms were not cleaned properly unless specifically requested and some encountered unclean or moldy bathrooms. The absence of daily housekeeping was noted, along with broken appliances and fixtures, such as ancient showers and non-functional extraction fans.
In summary, while the Kensington Hotel provides some clean and spacious rooms in a good location, there are significant consistency issues with cleanliness, maintenance and overall room conditions that need to be addressed.
The beds at the Kensington Hotel have received a range of feedback from guests. While some reviews highlight the affordability and the decent size of the beds, critical issues are frequently mentioned. Numerous guests found the beds to be comfortable with some even describing them as very comfortable and noting the hotel as one of the most comfortable they have stayed in. However, the majority of the feedback points to significant drawbacks.
Many guests reported that the mattresses were old, worn out and in dire need of updating. Problems such as low beds, creaky frames and mattresses with dips were common complaints. Cleanliness was also a concern with frequent mentions of stains on the bedding, dirty bed sheets and even bed bugs. Additionally, several guests noted that the pillows and linens smelled bad and that there were only a minimal number of pillows provided per person.
In summary, while some guests found the beds at Kensington Hotel to be quite comfortable, there are consistent issues with outdated, unclean and uncomfortable mattresses that significantly detract from the overall experience.
Kensington Hotel appears to have a mixed reputation when it comes to cleanliness. While some guests highlight that their rooms were clean and tidy, many others describe experiences that are far from satisfactory. Recurring issues include dirty carpets, cobwebs and moldy bathrooms. Several reviews mention unclean showers and dirty bedding. In some cases, guests found the room to be dusty with remnants from previous occupants, like dirty underwear and popcorn shells.
The bathrooms also seem to be a point of contention, frequently described as needing a deep clean or upgrade with mold and stained surfaces being common complaints. Housekeeping's reliability appears inconsistent with mentions of rooms not being cleaned regularly during stays and a general lack of thorough cleaning.
Despite these negative experiences, the hotel’s location and the friendliness of the staff receive positive notes. However, the absence of toiletries and issues such as dirty kettles and cracked mugs do little to bolster the hotel's standing. Overall, it seems that significant improvements in cleaning standards are necessary to meet guest expectations at Kensington Hotel.
Kensington Hotel has garnered a plethora of feedback regarding its staff, showcasing a diverse range of guest experiences. The majority of reviews highlight the staff’s warm and welcoming demeanor. Phrases like "extremely friendly," "attentive staff," and "very pleasant and helpful" were frequently used, indicating a strong general emphasis on friendliness and helpfulness throughout the hotel.
Guests particularly appreciated the reception team with multiple mentions of the receptionists being "lovely and helpful," "very friendly," and providing a "warm welcome." Specific individuals such as Jerry and other front desk staff received commendations for going "above and beyond" in their duties, being described as "very nice" and "full of knowledge."
Several reviews also noted the politeness and helpfulness of the cleaning staff, which contributed to an overall positive experience. There were mentions of notable hosts who were charming, knowledgeable about the surrounding area and provided a high level of service.
However, it is worth noting that not all feedback was favorable. Some guests encountered issues with staff being "hard to find," "unhelpful," or even "rude." Such instances indicate that while many staff members excel, there are inconsistencies in the level of service provided.
In summary, the majority of guests had a positive experience with the staff at Kensington Hotel, highlighting the friendly and helpful nature of many team members. Yet, the experience may vary, suggesting an area for potential improvement in consistency to ensure all guests have a uniformly excellent encounter.
The WiFi at Kensington Hotel generally provides a free service that works well, though there are mixed experiences. Some guests found the WiFi adequate and fast, while others encountered issues such as erratic connection, slow speeds or difficulty accessing it in certain areas like the lobby. Initially, some guests experienced non-working WiFi, but it reportedly improved over time. Overall, the WiFi service receives a mix of praise and criticism, indicating room for improvement in consistency and coverage.
Kensington Hotel is perfectly situated for beach enthusiasts, boasting an enviable location just a short stroll from the beautiful sandy shores. Guests consistently highlight the convenience of having the beach within easy reach, typically noting a walk of around 10 to 15 minutes with some mentioning it can be as brief as 5 minutes. The proximity to both the beach and the town center is frequently praised, making it easy to enjoy the best of both worlds – sun, sea and the local amenities.
Surrounded by picturesque surroundings, including the beach, pier, quay and charming small towns, the hotel offers more than just a place to stay. The ambiance around the hotel is pleasant, affording easy access to not only the beach but also the promenade and nearby restaurants. Those visiting for special occasions or simply seeking a relaxing seaside escape will find the location highly favorable. Whether it's taking a nice walk to watch the sunrise or just enjoying a day by the sea, Kensington Hotel provides a great base for a memorable coastal experience.
Kensington Hotel seems to offer a mixed but generally positive experience when it comes to parking. Many guests appreciated the free parking and found that there were ample parking options. There was a consensus that parking was available and always sufficient with several noting they could always find a parking space. The location of the parking was mentioned as convenient with some spaces situated right in front of the hotel.
However, some visitors experienced difficulties, noting that the parking layout was tight and the car park itself was too small for its needs. While some felt the parking was good, others found it very limited and sometimes inadequate. Despite these challenges, the overall sentiment leaned towards satisfaction, thanks to the availability and convenience of free parking.
Kensington Hotel offers a mix of experiences for families visiting with children. On the positive side, the hotel boasts spacious and well-equipped family-friendly rooms that ensure ample space for everyone, even accommodating cribs and rollaway beds. These rooms are particularly appreciated for their good sizes, which comfortably fit families and the amenities designed for young visitors, such as mocktails.
Location-wise, the hotel is quite conveniently situated for families looking to explore the local town offerings with a short ten-minute walk to the beaches and easy access to free parking. Safety for children is also a noted benefit with a secure environment that parents can trust.
However, some aspects need improvement to enhance the overall experience. Instances of deep cleaning requirements, dated facilities and a lack of certain useful features like table lamps or window locks were mentioned. Noise from nearby nightlife and bars occasionally disrupted the quiet needed for rest, making it not always ideal for families with young children. Additionally, the surrounding neighborhood raised some concerns for its perceived sketchiness, suggesting that the area might not always align with a family-friendly atmosphere.
In summary, Kensington Hotel offers spacious and family-friendly accommodations but has areas for improvement in cleanliness and neighboring environment to fully meet the expectations of visiting families.
The Kensington Hotel offers convenient access to vibrant nightlife with Poole Hill being a notable hotspot for bars and restaurants. Guests can easily take a taxi into town to explore a variety of local attractions, including lively bars. However, it's important to note that the area can be noisy at night, especially due to the hotel's acceptance of group bookings. There have been mentions of noisy people and disturbances like door banging. Despite these occasional issues, the hotel remains a practical base for those looking to experience the local nightlife scene.
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Location
Breakfast
Guests looking forward to breakfast at the hotel often had to venture out to find alternatives, which wasn't always convenient. There were also remarks about a closed bar and dining area, indicating an overall lack of food and drink services on-site. Despite some suggestions for simple breakfast offerings like fruit, cereal and toast, these were not implemented during their stay.
In summary, while the Kensington Hotel may provide other satisfactory services, its current state of breakfast offerings—or lack thereof—has left many guests dissatisfied, contributing to a less than ideal stay for those who value a convenient morning meal.
Dinner
Rooms
However, numerous complaints emphasized various issues across different rooms. Many reviews mentioned rooms being small, outdated and in need of repair and maintenance. Frequent problems included dirty carpets, broken blinds, malfunctioning showers, stained bed linens and lack of basic supplies such as towels, shampoo and toilet paper. There were also reports of rooms being stuffy, too hot or poorly ventilated with issues like broken taps, uncomfortable beds and noisy surroundings.
Several guests reported that rooms were not cleaned properly unless specifically requested and some encountered unclean or moldy bathrooms. The absence of daily housekeeping was noted, along with broken appliances and fixtures, such as ancient showers and non-functional extraction fans.
In summary, while the Kensington Hotel provides some clean and spacious rooms in a good location, there are significant consistency issues with cleanliness, maintenance and overall room conditions that need to be addressed.
Beds
Many guests reported that the mattresses were old, worn out and in dire need of updating. Problems such as low beds, creaky frames and mattresses with dips were common complaints. Cleanliness was also a concern with frequent mentions of stains on the bedding, dirty bed sheets and even bed bugs. Additionally, several guests noted that the pillows and linens smelled bad and that there were only a minimal number of pillows provided per person.
In summary, while some guests found the beds at Kensington Hotel to be quite comfortable, there are consistent issues with outdated, unclean and uncomfortable mattresses that significantly detract from the overall experience.
Cleanliness
The bathrooms also seem to be a point of contention, frequently described as needing a deep clean or upgrade with mold and stained surfaces being common complaints. Housekeeping's reliability appears inconsistent with mentions of rooms not being cleaned regularly during stays and a general lack of thorough cleaning.
Despite these negative experiences, the hotel’s location and the friendliness of the staff receive positive notes. However, the absence of toiletries and issues such as dirty kettles and cracked mugs do little to bolster the hotel's standing. Overall, it seems that significant improvements in cleaning standards are necessary to meet guest expectations at Kensington Hotel.
Staff
Guests particularly appreciated the reception team with multiple mentions of the receptionists being "lovely and helpful," "very friendly," and providing a "warm welcome." Specific individuals such as Jerry and other front desk staff received commendations for going "above and beyond" in their duties, being described as "very nice" and "full of knowledge."
Several reviews also noted the politeness and helpfulness of the cleaning staff, which contributed to an overall positive experience. There were mentions of notable hosts who were charming, knowledgeable about the surrounding area and provided a high level of service.
However, it is worth noting that not all feedback was favorable. Some guests encountered issues with staff being "hard to find," "unhelpful," or even "rude." Such instances indicate that while many staff members excel, there are inconsistencies in the level of service provided.
In summary, the majority of guests had a positive experience with the staff at Kensington Hotel, highlighting the friendly and helpful nature of many team members. Yet, the experience may vary, suggesting an area for potential improvement in consistency to ensure all guests have a uniformly excellent encounter.
Wi-Fi
Beach
Surrounded by picturesque surroundings, including the beach, pier, quay and charming small towns, the hotel offers more than just a place to stay. The ambiance around the hotel is pleasant, affording easy access to not only the beach but also the promenade and nearby restaurants. Those visiting for special occasions or simply seeking a relaxing seaside escape will find the location highly favorable. Whether it's taking a nice walk to watch the sunrise or just enjoying a day by the sea, Kensington Hotel provides a great base for a memorable coastal experience.
Parking
However, some visitors experienced difficulties, noting that the parking layout was tight and the car park itself was too small for its needs. While some felt the parking was good, others found it very limited and sometimes inadequate. Despite these challenges, the overall sentiment leaned towards satisfaction, thanks to the availability and convenience of free parking.
Family
Location-wise, the hotel is quite conveniently situated for families looking to explore the local town offerings with a short ten-minute walk to the beaches and easy access to free parking. Safety for children is also a noted benefit with a secure environment that parents can trust.
However, some aspects need improvement to enhance the overall experience. Instances of deep cleaning requirements, dated facilities and a lack of certain useful features like table lamps or window locks were mentioned. Noise from nearby nightlife and bars occasionally disrupted the quiet needed for rest, making it not always ideal for families with young children. Additionally, the surrounding neighborhood raised some concerns for its perceived sketchiness, suggesting that the area might not always align with a family-friendly atmosphere.
In summary, Kensington Hotel offers spacious and family-friendly accommodations but has areas for improvement in cleanliness and neighboring environment to fully meet the expectations of visiting families.
Nightlife
No, Kensington Hotel doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Kensington Hotel.
No, Kensington Hotel doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Kensington Hotel.
No, Kensington Hotel doesn't have a gym.
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