Hotel 167 by Kevin Kalhoefer

Despite its name, the Hotel 167 is not really a hotel; visitors expecting room service, spacious rooms and a range of amenities will be disappointed. The Hotel 167 is actually an 18-room B&B. Nonetheless, it certainly does have the feel of a hotel in many of its rooms. It also stands out from other B&Bs in the Kensington area by sacrificing its old Victorian heritage and renovating with a more modern style of decoration in mind. Yet one might wonder why they didn't bother to do a better job with the actual renovation. The hallways of the 167 are dimly lit with dark red carpeting, which combine with floor lighting to create a disorienting experience. The odd smell in the hallway and some of the rooms only adds to this effect. Yet, in spite of this, the hotel does succeed in creating a contemporary feel, with modern artwork hanging from the walls and a large variety of design patterns throughout its rooms.

The rooms are spacious, although occasionally oddly decorated, as with the single room with two strapped lounge chairs next to the bed. The wallpaper is plain, usually light blue, faded and peeling in places. But guests can get away from the less than gorgeous room decorations by visiting the small garden of the hotel or, if you get room 9, escaping to the balcony overlooking Old Brompton Road. Breakfast is in the reception area served on marble-topped tables with wooden chairs and a buffet of croissants and pastries. The Hotel 167 may not be the most well maintained bed and breakfast around, but it’s perfect for those rushing through the area and looking to save money. At £72 for a single room, the Hotel 167 is, believe it or not, a bargain compared to similar bed and breakfast businesses in the area.

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