Penthouse (e.g., Penthouse 39)
Best for: Premium stays, corporate
Elevated dining and lounge spaces, premium finish
Capacity: 2–4 guests
Rated 4.8/5 from 367 guest reviews · Ranked #4 of 1,491 speciality lodgings in London
TripAdvisor Travellers' Choice — top 10% of properties globally
Read the guidePhoto by Bruno Martins on Unsplash
Monarch House Serviced Apartments is not a hotel. That distinction matters — and it's precisely why so many guests choose it over the alternatives.
Situated in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Monarch House operates as a serviced apartment complex: fully furnished, self-contained apartments that combine the comfort of home with a level of service you'd expect from a quality hotel. You get a proper kitchen, your own living space, laundry facilities in the apartment, and regular housekeeping — without the transactional, impersonal feel of a standard hotel stay.
The guest mix is genuinely broad. Families appreciate the multi-bedroom layouts and well-equipped kitchens that make managing meals and routines far easier than a standard hotel room. Couples value the premium Kensington location and the apartment-style privacy. Business travellers on longer assignments find the home-office feel and laundry facilities particularly practical. Guests staying for a week or more consistently report that Monarch House handles long stays exceptionally well.
Monarch House sits within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, one of London's most desirable and well-connected residential areas. Kensington isn't just a postcode — it's a neighbourhood with genuine character: wide tree-lined streets, world-class museums, Hyde Park on its doorstep, and a high street that balances independent cafés with major retailers.
High Street Kensington Underground Station is approximately a 5–8 minute walk from the property, giving direct access to the District and Circle lines. Earl's Court Underground Station is around 15 minutes on foot. For those arriving from Heathrow, the Piccadilly line connects from nearby stations and typically takes 30–40 minutes.
A Waitrose supermarket sits directly at the building's entrance. The Design Museum is opposite. Gail's Bakery is two minutes away.
Hyde Park is within easy walking distance, and Kensington Palace and Kensington Gardens are a short stroll beyond that. The Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, and Science Museum are all within 15–20 minutes on foot or by tube — making Monarch House an excellent base for culturally-minded visitors.
One of the clearest advantages Monarch House has over a standard hotel is the range of apartment configurations available — and the fact that each one is genuinely spacious rather than just labelled that way.
Best for: Premium stays, corporate
Elevated dining and lounge spaces, premium finish
Capacity: 2–4 guests
Best for: Solo travellers, couples
Separate dining and lounge (deluxe), modern interiors
Capacity: 1–2 guests
Best for: Families, small groups
Full kitchen, spacious layout, courtyard-facing options
Capacity: 2–4 guests
Best for: Groups requiring privacy
En-suite bedroom, flexible layout
Capacity: 2–4 guests
Price ranges vary by season and apartment type. Confirm current rates and availability directly with the property or via the booking platform.
The amenities at Monarch House are where the serviced apartment model really demonstrates its advantage over hotel stays — particularly for guests planning longer visits or those travelling with family.
Every apartment comes with a fully equipped kitchen stocked with the essentials you'd actually use: dishwasher tablets, paper towels, and the basic supplies that make self-catering genuinely practical rather than just technically possible. Combined with the Waitrose directly at the building's entrance, the self-catering setup here is about as convenient as it gets in London.
Guests consistently mention the hot water pressure as a specific positive — and it's the kind of detail that matters more than people admit. One minor caveat: the water pump system can be audible when taps or showers are in use — worth being aware of if you're a light sleeper.
Washing machines are included as standard across apartments. For a stay of more than a few days, this eliminates the packing anxiety of 'do I have enough clothes?' and makes Monarch House genuinely practical for business travellers and families alike.
Air conditioning is available throughout the property — particularly noted by summer visitors as essential.
High-quality linens and comfortable beds are mentioned across reviews with notable consistency. Toiletries are provided. Housekeeping runs every two days for most apartments, with some configurations on a weekly schedule.
24-hour security is in place on site. This comes up repeatedly in reviews as a reassuring feature — particularly for solo travellers and families who appreciate the peace of mind it provides in a central London location.
Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and is suitable for standard browsing and video calls. Business travellers with high-bandwidth requirements should confirm current speeds with the property before booking.
4.8 / 5
Overall rating from 367 TripAdvisor reviews
#4
Of 1,491 speciality lodgings in London
Top 10%
Travellers' Choice — globally
Monarch House isn't just well-reviewed — it's exceptionally well-reviewed by any meaningful benchmark.
Cleanliness, comfort, and location form the core of almost every positive review. Guests don't just say 'nice location' — they mention the Waitrose at the entrance, the Design Museum across the street, and the short walk to High Street Kensington tube. Kitchen facilities come up constantly, particularly for families. The air conditioning gets specific praise from summer visitors. The 24-hour security is repeatedly described as reassuring. Housekeeping — running every two days for most apartments — is consistently cited as maintaining a high standard.
Repeat guests — families and business travellers both cite the same underlying reason for returning: Monarch House delivers consistency. The experience on a second or third visit matches the first — and in London accommodation, that reliability is genuinely rare.
A 3% discretionary service charge is applied at checkout. Several guests mention discovering this only on departure. Factor it into your budget from the start and it's a non-issue.
The water pump system can be audible when showers or taps are running — minor for most guests, but worth knowing for light sleepers.
Knowing a property is highly rated is useful. Knowing whether it's right for your specific trip is more useful. Here's an honest breakdown.
Two-bedroom apartments, full kitchen, courtyard-facing rooms, and a Waitrose at the entrance make managing a family stay far less stressful than a standard hotel.
In-apartment washing machine, full kitchen, regular housekeeping, and comfortable living spaces make it feel like a temporary home rather than extended hotel accommodation.
Central Kensington location on the District and Circle lines, 24-hour security, professional management, and apartment-style working space. Corporate and long-stay rates are available.
Premium location near Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, the Design Museum, and High Street Kensington dining, with apartment-style privacy that a standard hotel room can't match.
Budget travellers will find cheaper options elsewhere in London — Monarch House is premium-positioned and priced accordingly. If your priority is proximity to the West End, Soho, or the City's nightlife, Kensington isn't the natural choice, though it's easily accessible by tube. Those specific trade-offs are worth considering before booking.
Each answer is a clear starting point — always confirm specifics directly with the property before booking.
Check-in is generally from 3:00pm and check-out by 11:00am, though this can vary by apartment type and availability. Confirm directly with the property when booking; early check-in or late check-out may be possible depending on availability.
High Street Kensington Underground Station is approximately a 5–8 minute walk from Monarch House, served by the District and Circle lines. Earl's Court station is also accessible on foot, approximately 15 minutes away.
Yes — Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and is suitable for standard browsing and video calls. Business travellers or remote workers with high-bandwidth requirements should confirm current speeds with the property before booking.
Monarch House is in central Kensington, where on-site parking is not standard for serviced apartment properties of this type. Guests driving are recommended to research nearby NCP car parks or paid street parking zones in advance, and to factor in the Congestion Charge. Public transport — particularly the District and Circle lines from High Street Kensington — is strongly recommended.
Guests with specific accessibility requirements are strongly encouraged to contact the property directly to confirm lift access, step-free routes, and any adapted facilities before booking. Confirming these details in advance ensures there are no surprises on arrival.
Premium serviced apartment properties in London vary significantly on pet policies. Monarch House's current policy should be confirmed directly or in writing before booking. Don't assume — confirm to avoid complications on arrival.
Heathrow Airport is approximately 30–40 minutes from the Kensington area via the Piccadilly line, which connects from nearby stations. Gatwick Airport is further — typically 45–60 minutes via the Gatwick Express to Victoria, then a short tube journey.
Yes — serviced apartments of this type are well-suited to extended stays and corporate bookings. Contact the property directly to discuss specific requirements and pricing arrangements that may not be visible through standard OTA booking platforms.
A 3% discretionary service charge is applied at checkout. Factor this into your overall accommodation budget before arrival; several guests have noted it as an unexpected addition when discovered only at departure.
Housekeeping runs every two days for most apartments, with some configurations serviced on a weekly schedule. The standard of cleanliness is consistently praised across guest reviews.