This art deco gem in London offers terrific value

The hotel

Ember Locke, Kensington, London.

Kensington’s Ember Locke is an art deco gem.

Check-in

Locke’s sixth London property – the eye-catching Ember Locke Kensington – resides in a Victorian mansion block on Cromwell Road. The apartment hotel offers 121 apartments in contemporary art deco style ranging from studios to duplex one-bedroom apartments. You won’t find a pool, spa, room service or daily housekeeping, but it does offer a stylish central London bolthole at a reasonable price.

The look

Art deco design melds with 21st century retro futurism.

Enter the red brick townhouse exterior through heavy arched doorways off busy Cromwell Road and step into another world. Inspired by the Kensington Roof Gardens and the flamboyant mid-century fashion brand Biba (born in Kensington’s bohemian fashion scene), the art deco design melds with 21st century retro futurism.

The lobby, a co-working space, small cafe and bar are found on the ground floor awash in rich reds, terracotta, emerald greens, bold patterns, eclectic furniture and art deco details – a nod to Kensington’s opulent 1960s era. Bespoke art by House of Dre adorn walls in guestrooms and public spaces while work from local and up-and-coming artists are displayed throughout the property. Past reception, doors open out to a lush, grassed garden which would be enticing in warm weather.

The room

Inside one of the rooms with its compact kitchen.

Ember Locke’s apartment interiors are designed as a series of boudoir rooms with rich tones and vibrant patterns. Art deco details and bold pieces such as banquette seating and retro fittings are paired with brass detailing, fringes, tassels, and heavy dividing curtains which separate the small kitchen and living area from the bed. We stay in a 27-square-metre Locke Studio which, thanks to its clever design, does not feel overly cramped. Bathrooms featuring Kinsey Apothecary amenities are largely untouched from the hotel’s previous incarnation as an NH branded hotel. Rooms facing busy Cromwell Road are subject to traffic noise, however double glazing and heavy curtains largely mitigate this. The 40-square-metre Family Suites sleep up to four and come with a compact Smeg kitchen and laundry access.

Out + about

The hotel is in walking distance to some of London’s most famous museums, including the Natural History Museum, the V&A, the Science Museum and the Design Museum. Hyde Park is only two kilometres away, so we spend hours exploring its 142 hectares, visiting Kensington Gardens and feeding the squirrels.

Food + drink

The hotel bar.

A bar and small cafe are open, but opening hours are unclear and often there’s nothing to buy for breakfast. Eve, an all-day Mediterranean-inspired restaurant has opened since our stay and is receiving good reviews. Be sure and visit the Antipodean-owned Over Under Coffee, a short walk away for terrific brunch dishes and great coffee.

The verdict

In a city known for its eye-watering hotel prices (not helped by a weak Aussie dollar) Ember Locke Kensington offers terrific value in a central London location.

Essentials

Rooms from £175 ($132) for a 22-square-metre Locke Room including fast Wi-Fi, Smart HDTV and laundry access. Locke Studios (27 sqm, from £230/$436) also come with compact Smeg kitchen and a combined washer/dryer. Earl’s Court Station with links to Heathrow via the Piccadilly Line is a 10-minute walk away. 202-220, Cromwell Rd, London. See lockeliving.com

Our rating out of five

★★★½

The writer was a guest of Locke Hotels and Visit Britain.

Highlight
The clever room design, central location and friendly staff.

Lowlight
The DIY service aspect won’t suit everyone – we arrived late at night and had no assistance with heavy luggage and there’s no daily housekeeping.