Baglioni Hotel London is a four-and-a-half-pearl boutique property overlooking Kensington Gardens and featuring luxurious Italian decor in black and gold. The 67 individually decorated rooms feature black parquet floors, black marble bathrooms with golden sinks, plus high-end amenities like Illy espresso-makers. The chic Italian restaurant and bar, Brunello, is a destination in itself, and the hotel also has a spa and fitness center, plus kid-friendly amenities, though there's no pool. The hotel isn't super close to the tube, but guests are offered free chauffeur service in a Maserati, within a short radius. The Milestone Hotel is a comparable luxury boutique property nearby, offering similar amenities but more traditional English decor.

The K+K Hotel George, a sophisticated, upscale hotel tucked inside a classic townhouse, offers smart, tasteful interior design and close proximity to the Earl's Court tube station. The 154-room property feels intimate, and offers a charming private garden with plenty of roaming space, a location on a quiet side street in Kensington, and bright, homey rooms. It may be worth comparing rates with the nearby Hotel Indigo, however, which is arguably a bit more stylish.

The NH London Kensington is less centrally located than other hotels at this price point, and it's on a busy road. However, there's very little traffic noise once you're inside, and London's museums and Earls Court Exhibition Centre are fairly nearby. It does have a peaceful garden, which is a big plus in London. The 121 rooms are stylish and spacious, with some facing the garden and others set over two floors. This is a relaxed, family-friendly base from which to explore London's sights. For a little more, you could opt for The Rembrandt, which is closer to the museums.

A three-minute walk from Earl's Court underground station, the Premier Inn London Kensington (Earl's Court) is a mid-range chain hotel located in a lush green area of South West London. Bland decor is typical of the chain with purple details and mass produced furnishings. Thyme bar and restaurant serves a mixture of pub classics and low calorie salads. Guests under age 16 get free breakfast and there are happy hour specials in the early evenings. This hotel has one of the most convenient locations for the brand, near the Victoria & Albert Museum, and prices reflect that. Cheaper stays within the Premier Inn family can be found at Premier Inn London Ealing. 

There are 28 guest rooms at this value property set in London’s Kensington district. The hotel inhabits a historic townhouse on a quiet street near several transport links plus attractions like Kensington High Street, Hyde Park, and the Natural History Museum are just a short walk away. Guest rooms are basic and a bit dated, but well maintained and have a traditional English style. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and a continental breakfast is included in the room rate as well. The hotel's cafe restaurant stays open into the evening. It's worth comparing with Aster House, a nearby three-pearl property where some suites include fireplaces and four-poster beds.

There's very little to criticize at this upscale hotel, which is located within walking distance of popular museums and Hyde Park. It offers a generous free breakfast, a somewhat uncommon perk in London. Rooms are airy and elegant; some incorporate lovely Laura Ashley design and have pleasant views of the Victorian-style street below. Expect to see families gathering over a lively breakfast in the hotel's Orchid Room, and more mature travelers enjoying happy hour at the hotel's Checkmate Bar. Wi-Fi is free in the lobby.

The Radisson Blu Edwardian Vanderbilt is a 215-room luxury hotel with plenty of history. Once a cluster of private apartments (one belonging to the renowned family that gives the hotel its name), it is now a modern maze of hotel rooms and public spaces. The hotel successfully blends the historic character with contemporary influences, and the appealing location in South Kensington is near the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The 58-room Presidential Apartments are premium, self-contained, serviced apartments located between Kensington and Earl's Court in west-central London. Apartments are modern with fully-equipped kitchens, and many open to balconies or small courtyards (though some units are in the basement). There isn't much in the way of public areas or any restaurant or bar options on-site. "Presidential" might be a bit misleading, but overall they're a good value, and offer an upscale option central enough for most travelers -- especially those staying longer than a few days.

The huge 833-room Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington is an upper-middle-range property set in a modern, office-like building. Its relatively quiet, upmarket setting is the main draw, plus it's just a short walk from bustling Kensington High Street and its Tube station. Modern, chain-like rooms have electric kettles, mini-fridges, wall-mounted flat-screen TVs, and in some, excellent cityscape views, but bathrooms feel a bit worn. There are several eating and drinking options, including a brasserie open for all three meals. All in all, it's not the most polished of hotels and it lacks quality health facilities, but it's cheaper than many of its nearby competitors and conveniently located for central London. For a slightly higher rate, the nearby Park International Hotel includes a free breakfast and more modern bathrooms.

The 30-room London Town Hotel is a decent two-pearl property in Earl's Court. The underground station is just one minute away on foot and the area has numerous restaurants, shops, and bars. Rooms are basic, bland, dated, and have no air-conditioning, but prices are low and rooms are fine for a simple place to crash at night. Wi-Fi and breakfast are included and there's a guest lounge with free hot drinks. A garden and a terrace are highlights of the property. More modern rooms at a similar price point are available at the BEST WESTERN The Boltons just down the road.

The three-pearl Best Western The Boltons is more upscale than your typical Best Western, but still has a bit of the chain hotel's generic feel. The 57 rooms have iPod docks, flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers, and some have bathrobes and slippers. However, guests complain of weak air-conditioning and small showers. On-site features include a free buffet breakfast, a business center, concierge services, and free Wi-Fi. For something with a bit more personality, travelers could try Hotel Indigo London-Paddington, another three-pearl property.

The upper-middle-range Holiday Inn London Kensington Forum is a business-friendly hotel with a central location that allows guests easy access to the Natural History Museum and conference centers. The 906-room property remains busy due to its slew of amenities like 11 meeting rooms, a business lounge, two restaurants, and a fitness center. A Starbucks cafe and a traditional English pub round out the facilities. Though some Holiday Inns provide free breakfast, this one doesn’t. The rooms are small and less-inspiring than public areas of the hotel, but they do have modern amenities like flat-screen TVs, kettles, and, in some, mini-fridges. Travelers looking for apartment-style lodgings could try Go Native Kensington hotel, which has similar rates and rooms with full kitchens.

There are 610 guest rooms at this three-and-a-half-pearl property set in London’s South Kensington neighborhood. It’s on a bustling street and only a short stroll from business destinations, tourist sights, and the Gloucester Road Tube station. Guest rooms are spacious, but dated, and don’t live up to the elegance of the property’s public areas or the modern notions inspired by the hotel's name. There are some good facilities on-site, including a bar and four restaurants, as well as fitness and business centers. Expect to pay extra for Wi-Fi, parking, and breakfast. It’s worth comparing with the nearby NH Harrington Hall Hotel, though, where the guest rooms are more modern and stylish. 

This 35-room upscale Best Western chain property offers comfortable accommodation at a lower rate than many hotels in the affluent Kensington area. Its location is fantastic, right on Kensington High Street and a five-minute walk to the tube, though the entrance can be tricky to spot. Rooms are brightly and elegantly decorated, but some are tiny -- the modern bathrooms, in particular, are miniscule. There’s a free simple continental breakfast, and Wi-Fi is free, though it can be spotty. But the whole place feels a bit cramped -- the breakfast room and lounge bar are right in the lobby, for instance -- and features are next to non-existent. As an alternative, the similarly priced but larger Park International Hotel has a bar and gym, and is walking distance from Hyde Park and museums.

The Oxford Hotel London is a 90-room budget hotel situated in central London, a three-minute walk from the Earl's Court tube station. Other than a free continental breakfast and 24-hour reception, this hotel has no real extra features. One- to four-bed guest rooms are basic but private with en-suite bathrooms, cot-like beds, mini-fridges, and TVs -- but there's no AC, Wi-Fi costs an extra fee, and guests sometimes complain of cleanliness issues or wear-and-tear. By comparison, the nearby City Continental London Kensington is budget-friendly too, but offers AC and free Wi-Fi.