Barkston Gardens

When my American guests arrive at my Kensington hotel, they usually have the same London landmarks on their must-see list: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. While these iconic […]

As a London hotel owner, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve drawn little maps on napkins, directing guests to my favorite food markets. “Skip the tourist trap restaurants,” […]

Picture this: you’ve just arrived at your London hotel after a long flight, ready to freshen up before exploring the city. You pull out your hair dryer, plug it in […]

After fifteen years of welcoming American guests to my Kensington hotel, I’ve witnessed every imaginable cultural confusion – from accidental queue-jumping catastrophes to tea-time tension. While London might speak English […]

As a London hotel owner who’s served breakfast to thousands of American guests and pointed countless more toward the city’s best dining spots, I’ve heard all the jokes about British […]

As I watch guests wheel their extra suitcases through our hotel lobby, I often catch glimpses of their London market treasures peeking out – a glint of vintage silverware here, […]

As I watch guests check into my Kensington hotel clutching their freshly exchanged pounds, I often see the same worried look – that “did I just get ripped off?” expression […]

London’s parks are more than just green spaces – they’re living masterpieces that transform dramatically with each passing season. As someone who’s watched countless guests plan their perfect London itinerary […]

As a London hotel owner, there’s one question I hear almost daily from my American guests: “How much should I tip?” I completely understand the anxiety – tipping customs here […]

As a hotel owner in Kensington for the past 15 years, I’ve watched countless guests clutching their London must-see lists, determined to tick off every famous attraction. I’ve seen their […]