By Katie Wilson
On the site of the BBC’s former recording studios, which has played host to the likes of David Bowie and Amy Winehouse, K West Hotel & Spa is certainly a unique venue.
This musical legacy is played out in the rock ‘n’ roll photos which adorn the walls – and its close proximity to the legendary Hammersmith Apollo.
Whether you’re visiting London for the sights, shopping or heading to a gig, K West Hotel & Spa is a perfect base for a budget-friendly stay in the capital.
And did we mention they have a subterranean spa? Here’s what happened when we checked in for the night.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
K West Hotel & Spa is really easy to get to, just a few minutes’ walk from either Shepherd’s Bush Tube or Shepherd’s Bush Overground stations. Perfect for a stay in west London, or you can be in Oxford Circus in 20 minutes.
For those visiting the capital to hit the shops, Westfield shopping centre is opposite. While the Hammersmith Apollo music venue is just down the road.
If you arrive at night look for the multi-coloured neon lights on Richmond Road, which illuminate the entrance and reception areas.
STYLE AND INTERIORS
Describing itself as a ‘glass-cube hotel’ due to its unique entrance, this four star venue opened its doors in 2017 and has a rich music history, with the likes of David Bowie and Amy Winehouse playing here back when the building was BBC Kensington House.
There are nods to this musical legacy in the bar and restaurant with rock ‘n’ roll photographs on the walls. While the Executive Suite has its own Bowie-themed bedroom.
Downstairs there are standout features like a mirror wall and two huge fringed chandeliers which hang above the bar area.
Although nice, the rest of the hotel is slightly more generic with muted grey, white and blue colour schemes in the rooms and cushions providing the only pops of colour.
THE ROOMS
There are 219 rooms at K West Hotel & Spa, ranging from Junior Doubles to K Suites, the latter of which were once BBC recording studios.
Suites claim to be ‘fit for a rock star’ and come with super kingsize beds, freestanding baths and huge curved sofas in front of giant Smart TVs that feel like your own cinema room. They are also equipped with Bose sound systems to bring the party vibes.
We stayed in a more modest Executive Double on the fifth floor which was spacious enough and had a sofa and desk, as well as 2x 2 metre bed to sprawl out on.
There was a tablet to order room service or book a treatment in the spa. If you’re getting ready for a big night out, the huge floor length mirror is perfect for taking photos.
The mechanism for the bath and shower were slightly strange and we had to call maintenance to be shown how to use. It would be better if instructions for guests were left out. Signposting around the hotel, such as room number directions, would also be helpful.
FOOD AND DRINK
Guests can have dinner in the bar area where the menu consists of snacks, small and large plates and burgers and sandwiches.
Starter highlights include the Korean BBQ Chicken (£6) and Grilled Halloumi Stack (£6.50), while mains include classic dishes such as Rib Eye Steak (£28), Lemon and Thyme Chicken (£16.50) and Fish & Chips (£19.50).
Veggies can order the Mediterranean Tagliatelle (£13.50). While there are cauliflower and courgette burgers for vegans (£14.50). If you don’t feel like going out, you can order room service – which is pretty much the same menu – for £3 delivery.
The cocktails are good here, priced from £11.50 to £13.50, depending what you order. We tried their signature Blood Orange and Elderflower Collins (an orange twist on a G&T), the Cherry Martini, and All The Single Ladies cocktail, made from vodka, Chambord, Malibu and pineapple juice.
We also loved the display of cocktail condiments on display on the bar. We’ve never seen so much dehydrated fruit in one place. There were jars of lemons, oranges and pineapples for days.
EXTRAS
The main event at K West Hotel (unless you’re staying in the Bowie Suite) is, as its name suggests, the spa. The award-winning facilities include a Sauna, Solarium, Aromatic Herbal Steam Room, Hydrotherapy Pool, Foot Baths, Experience Showers and London’s first Snow Experience – meant to mimic the Finnish tradition of hot-cold therapy, where guests switch between steamy and freezing environments.
There is also a Relax room where you can chill out in your own private relaxation pod, plus a Sun Meadow experience which offers collagen forming light therapy designed to regenerate the skin.
Note spa access doesn’t come included with the room, so make sure you book a one hour slot (£25pp) ahead of time if you want to use it. Only over 16s are permitted to use the spa.
Treatments cost extra and start from £55 for a 25-minute Back Revive massage, Glow & Go Facial, Baobab Hair & Scalp treatment or Black Soap Body Exfoliation. Longer 50-minute treatments start from £95, while Spa Packages can be booked from £80pp.
A Feel Good at K Spa package includes a 25-minute Back Revive massage, use of the spa and lunch. While the pricier Feeling Fabulous package includes spa use, lunch, a 50-minute facial, 50-minute massage, 25-minute body exfoliation and 15-minute Sun Meadow treatment from £249pp.
The spa only offers one-hour guest slots as they do a deep clean after each session, so rest assured standards are high here. Gym lovers can also use K Fit on the second floor of the hotel, which is complimentary for hotel guests.
OVERALL VERDICT
For a stylish but affordable stay in the capital, with easy access to central London, you can’t go wrong with K West Hotel & Spa. Just make sure to request spa access when you make your booking so you don’t miss out.
Rooms start from around £120 a night
Book a stay at K West Hotel & Spa here
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