LONDON - England 2012 and the Best of Wales - page 190

The Milestone A firm favorite with Frommer's readers, The Milestone
epitomizes everything good about the classic London hotel—understated elegance,
service that regularly goes that extra mile, cozy public rooms awash with fresh flowers,
dark woods, antique furnishings, and fabric wallcoverings, and a location close to
some genuine London icons. Guest rooms and suites are spread over six floors and
vary in size, decor, and shape (a few rooms are a bit small). For an iconic view, request
a room overlooking Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens.
1 Kensington Court, London W8 5DL. www.milestonehotel.com. & 020/7917-1000 or 877/955-1515 in
the U.S. and Canada. Fax [phone] units. £250-£400 double. AE, DC, MC, V. Tube: High St.
Kensington. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; babysitting; concierge; health club; room service. In room: A/C,
TV/DVD/VCR, CD player, fax, hair dryer, minibar, MP3 docking station, Wi-Fi (free).
Expensive
Parkcity Hotel Entering the Parkcity is always a surprise—it's a modern,
sleek-lined wolf in historical sheep's clothing. The staid Victorian frontage gives way
to a thoroughly up-to-date hotel. Much better equipped than many of the hotels in
the area (it has a business center and a gym), and boasting a staff that always seems
to go an extra mile for guests, the hotel is building quite a repeat customer base. All
rooms are bright and airy with a pleasingly modern sheen, but in the summer avoid
the rooms overlooking the patio if you want peace and privacy.
18-30 Lexham Gardens, London W8 5JE. www.theparkcity.com. & 020/7341-7090. Fax [phone]-
0189. 62 units. £150-£190 double. AE, MC, V. Tube: Gloucester Rd. Amenities: Restaurant; bar; con-
cierge; exercise room; room service, Wi-Fi (free in ground floor public areas). In room: AC, TV/DVD
player, minibar, Internet (£6.50).
Inexpensive
Easyhotel This is the hotel that brought budget airline thinking to London's
accommodation scene. Rooms are tiny (if spotlessly clean) at 6 to 7 sq. m (65-75 sq. ft.),
with most of the space taken up by standard double beds. Ask for a room with a window
to lessen the claustrophobia. There are flatscreen TVs in every unit, but it costs an extra
£5 fee to use the set. Still if all you're looking for in a hotel is somewhere to rest your
head it's hard to argue with the price. Housekeeping service costs an optional £10 per
day, there is no elevator, and checkout time is 10am. You must book by credit card
through the hotel website.
14 Lexham Gardens, London W8 5JE. www.easyhotel.com. & 020/7706-9911. 34 units. £30-£50
double. MC, V. Tube: High St. Kensington or Earl's Court. In room: A/C, TV, Wi-Fi (£10).
CHELSEA
Very Expensive
Draycott Hotel Everything about the Draycott reeks of British gentility,
style, and charm. Guests are greeted like old friends when they enter by a staff that
manages to be both hip and cordial. The hotel took its present-day form when a third
brick-fronted townhouse was added to a pair of interconnected townhouses that had
been functioning as a five-star hotel since the 1980s. That, coupled with tons of
money spent on English antiques, rich draperies, and an upgrade of those expensive
infrastructures you'll never see, including security, has transformed this place into a
gem. Bedrooms are outfitted differently, each with haute English style and plenty of
fashion chic. As a special feature, the hotel serves complimentary drinks—tea at 4pm
daily, champagne at 6pm, and hot chocolate at 9:30pm.

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