TRAVELLING SOLO? HOME WITHIN A HOME, with Private Kitchen, in West Kensington

With its own FULLY FITTED KITCHEN for your sole use, a private bathroom, this 1 bedroom flatlet within our own home is perfect for the independent single tourist, business traveller or mature student visitor wishing to be in the heart of London. It has easy access to the underground [“the tube”] at West Kensington [4 minutes’ walk] and Baron’s Court [8 minutes’ walk]. The Olympia Exhibition Centre is a 3 minute walk away. Kensington High Street? 8 minutes on foot, by bus 3 minutes.
Buses are many and within a 2 – 4 minute walk from here.

THE SPACE – Generally:
Located on a quiet residential West Kensington street, our well-appointed flatlet is perfect for the independent traveller or business visitor and offers all the comforts of home, office facilities too if needed [see below]. It is accessed via a shared [with us] front entrance door and has its own door within our quarters and so is completely private.

The flatlet [18.70 sq. m/201 sq. ft] comprises a single bedroom [overlooking the pretty garden], private bathroom and fully fitted kitchen for your exclusive use. The rooms will be professionally cleaned, the linens changed, once a week during your stay. The flatlet is served by BT Infinity fibre optic Wi-Fi and has its own landline telephone.

THE FLATLET – In Detail:
SINGLE BEDROOM - with fitted wardrobes, hangers, a hair dryer, a laptop friendly desk and chair, landline ‘phone, a side chair, alarm clock and a Smart TV. [Bed 3ft/91cm wide.]
Generous bedding, linen and towels are provided with a choice of summer or winter weight duvets. Non-feather pillows can be provided – just let me know at time of booking.

THE KITCHEN - contains fitted units, a breakfast bar, electric oven, gas hob, microwave, ‘fridge, sink, toaster, kettle, cafetiere [French press], combined washer/dryer, cutlery, utensils, china, glass, pots, pans – an electric mixer if you wish to bake a cake! – and all the usual kitchen paraphernalia [tea, coffee, salt, pepper, oil, herbs and spices etc.,] that you have at home in your kitchen.

THE PRIVATE BATHROOM – fitted with hand basin, lavatory, bath and hand-shower. Drying rack for those items you do not wish to put into the tumble drier.
Shampoo, conditioner, soaps, tissues, cotton buds and cotton pads are also provided for your use so no need to pack those..

GARDEN – there is direct access from your kitchen to the pretty, brick paved garden which you are free to use; it has a table, chairs, an external power supply and garden lighting. I am very happy if guests wish to entertain business colleagues or friends there but, being considerate of the neighbours, no loud music out there, please.

ALSO PROVIDED:
An iron and ironing board, FM radio, central heating for the winter, a fan if the summer weather gets hot and a convector heater if those nights are chilly. US & EU to UK electric plug convertors, an umbrella and other useful bits and pieces.

Carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarms are also installed, together with a fire extinguisher and a ‘simple to use’ burglar alarm which covers the flatlet and our personal quarters. A Gas Safety inspection is undertaken annually, a copy of which is within the flatlet.

EDIBLES on Arrival:
In order that you do not need to go shopping immediately upon arrival, I will provide you with milk, eggs, cheddar cheese, bread, butter, yoghourts, cereals, OJ, bottled water and fruit, marmalade and jam, tea, ground and instant coffee too. Pasta and a pasta sauce, tinned tuna, crisp breads and other dry goods are also supplied so you can make yourself a quick supper if you have been working late or have been tramping around museums and have had no time to shop.
If you have any dietary preferences [i.e., you prefer gluten free bread, or regarding the type of milk you prefer], then do let me know.

OVERNIGHT GUEST?
A good, comfy Intex inflatable bed is available for the occasional weekend or over-night visitor if you are a long-stay guest [2 weeks ] but only with our prior approval.
There will be a nominal charge for this additional guest, the laundry and cleaning.

OFFICE FACILITIES?
As I run my business from here, I have a printer, scanner, office stationery, stamps etc and will be pleased to help you with anything you may require for your business or travel purposes.

RESIDENT CAT
We have a one of these. See photo on listing. Whilst he just loves people he is not allowed into your quarters so you may only see him in the garden via the bedroom window or as you come and go through our shared front door/stairs to your quarters.
Clearly, if you are allergic to cats, then this is not the accommodation for you as there will be “fur on the breeze”.

SMOKING
No smoking is allowed in your rooms though you may do so in the garden.

HOUSE RULES
We have no ‘house rules’ per se, excepting mutual respect and consideration for each other.


THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
This part of West Kensington is predominantly residential and so is very quiet. Public transport of all types is within just a few minutes’ distance. I have lived in West Ken for 30 years and walking here, day or night, has never been a concern. North End Road market is close by [4 minute bus ride, 10 minute walk]; Kensington High Street is on our doorstep [3 minute bus ride, 8 minute walk] as is the Westfield Shopping Mall [6 minutes by tube; Westfield has cinemas, restaurants, bars as well as great shops].
There is too much around here to put in writing now so – come and explore!

GETTING AROUND
Getting around London [or within the UK] is very easy from here as we are SO central. You will find a broad range of travel books, maps, transportation literature in your quarters to help you during your visit. Do buy yourself a “Visitor's Oyster Card” for London’s public transport travel as soon as you arrive at London Heathrow - or you can do this on line [via “Transport for London”] before your arrival. Alternatively, if you have a 'contactless' credit or debit card, this works the same as the Visitor's Oyster card on all London’s public transport.

BIKE HIRE
There are several racks of “bikes to hire” in the neighbourhood, all within walking distance. Ask me and I’ll give you detail of their locations.

ABOUT US and GUEST INTERACTION
Our maisonette comprises 2 [combined] flats; we live on the raised ground floor, your flatlet and my office [I work from home as an interior designer] is on a level with the garden. We have been letting the flatlet for over 25 years and whilst your privacy will be fully respected, I am around during the weekdays [we are usually away at weekends] to answer any questions, advise on ‘what to see’ in London and the UK, or to just have a chat if you wish!

We love having guests here to stay and will make you feel ‘at home’ [or leave you alone] as much or as little as you wish.

FINDING US
Reaching us from London Heathrow Airport is simple. Take the train from LHR to Baron’s Court [Piccadilly line] and then change platforms and take the District Line train for the one stop journey to West Kensington. There is then only a 4 minute walk to us.
[Also see “Getting Around” above.]

CHECK-IN AND CHECK-OUT TIMES
We'll be as flexible as we can regarding check-in and check-out times, subject other guest's bookings of course.

STEPS
Please note that there are 6 steps to walk up from the street to the main front door and then 12 down to access the garden floor; consequently, the accommodation may not suit those who are frail or infirm.

YOUR OWN INSURANCE
Seems obvious to say, but please ensure you have adequate insurance to cover both your travel plans and your personal belongings.