The Rockwell, Earls Court

Not every good London stay has to cost five-star prices. The Rockwell, a boutique hotel in a Victorian townhouse on Cromwell Road, is one of the more appealing places to stay in Earls Court: independently run, quietly stylish and far better value than the grand hotels a mile or two east.

Location

The hotel stands at 181–183 Cromwell Road, on the Earls Court side of Kensington. Earls Court Underground station is a short walk away, with the Piccadilly line running straight to Heathrow in one direction and to Knightsbridge, Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden in the other, and the District line heading to Kensington High Street and Westminster. The museums of South Kensington, Kensington Gardens and the shops of Gloucester Road are all within easy reach. If you are planning around this part of town, our Earls Court, Gloucester Road and South Kensington area pages are a useful place to start.

Rooms

The Rockwell describes its style as understated and contemporary, and that is a fair summary: clean lines, good beds and a calm palette rather than period pastiche. Room types run from single rooms for solo business trips up through standard and deluxe doubles to the hotel's Garden Rooms, which open onto the garden, and the Mezzanine Suites, the pick for a longer or more comfortable stay. As with most Victorian townhouse conversions, sizes vary from room to room, so it is worth booking a higher category if space matters to you.

Eating and drinking

The hotel has its own bar and restaurant serving cocktails, wine and food, which is handy after a late arrival or for a quiet drink before heading out. The garden is the hotel's real asset, a rare bit of outdoor space on one of west London's busiest roads, and a pleasant place to sit on a warm evening.

Who it suits

The Rockwell suits visitors who want a characterful, independent hotel with personal service at a sensible price, and who value fast transport links over a prestige postcode. It is particularly convenient for anyone arriving from Heathrow on the Piccadilly line, for visitors to the South Kensington museums, and for those who would rather spend their budget on evenings out than on the room itself.

For more places to stay across the capital, return to our London Hotel Guide or explore the rest of the London Guide. London Escort Guide also lists independent London escorts and established London escort agencies across Kensington, Earls Court and the rest of west London.