Imperial College is the UK’s leading science, technology and medicine university. The main campus is in South Kensington, close to the great museums. During the summer months (July to September) they rent out their 1,000 student rooms so you can stay in central London at a great price.
I have seen the rooms and they are prettier than many budget hotels, so we must dispel the myths of student accommodation. Rooms are en-suite, clean, and well-maintained, and feel more like a hotel than student digs.
Better than many hotels
College housing certainly comes with some preconceptions, so let me tell you how pleasantly surprised I was to see the Imperial College rooms. Most have been recently renovated, and felt modern, clean, and safe. Very safe As “women traveling alone shouldn’t have to worry” safe.
Very sure
There is a 24-hour reception and front-entry CCTV, with a swipe card entry system. The common areas are bright and clean with lifts / lifts or stairs.
Modern and compact rooms
The rooms actually reminded me of the Hoxton Hotel with its clean and modern style. The rooms are compact but certainly manageable, and the great views (gardens, the back of the V&A, etc.) make the rooms feel larger. Suitcases can be stored under the bed, plus there is a closet and shelves to unpack. Each room has a desk and chair as well.
All rooms have a phone plus WiFi for a one-time connection fee, no matter how long you stay. This is also available across campus so you can take your laptop to the breakfast cafeteria or the Eastside bar etc. All rooms have tea and coffee making facilities.
Clean en-suite facilities
Most of the rooms have a private bathroom (only a few in the older block have shared facilities). The bathrooms I saw were spotless and there is a daily cleaning service included for as long as you stay. Towels are also included and can be changed daily if required.
Rooms don’t have TVs, but there are TVs in social areas, often near kitchens so you can have TV dinners. Please note that there are no crockery or cutlery available, but you can use the kitchens to prepare food. Rooms have clock radios and a free bottle of water.
Prince’s gardens
Prince’s Gardens is a wonderfully tranquil oasis from busy central London. There are also excellent facilities, including the Eastside Bar (yes, it is a student bar, but you’ve never seen one as nice as this, see below), a ground floor convenience store, and the Ethos Sports Center which all Guests can use for a small fee There is a gym, an exercise studio, a climbing wall, a 25-meter pool and more. Yes, a pool in central London, next to your budget accommodation.
Breakfast is included
Breakfast is served in one of the campus dining rooms to give you a chance to see more of Imperial College. I had lunch here and it is a clean and comfortable room, plus the food was fresh and fast.
Excellent location
Imperial College is minutes from South Kensington’s three great museums: the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) and the Science Museum.
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are at the top of the road, where you’ll find Kensington Palace and more.
Harrods in Knightsbridge and High Street Kensington are also nearby.
Many of the aisles surround Prince’s Gardens, which are the only privately owned public gardens in London.
Heathrow Airport is easily accessible by Tube, as South Kensington is on the Piccadilly Line. It’s about a 40 minute metro ride from the airport and then a 5-10 minute walk from the station.
bar east
Eastside Halls has the Eastside Restaurant & Bar, which is the best student bar I have ever seen. You’ll enjoy cheap drinks and main ‘gastropub’ meals for around £ 5. Even if you’re not staying, this would be a great destination after a day at the museums, or before a night at the museums.
The Eastside is a contemporary bar and restaurant, open Monday through Saturday noon to 11pm and Sunday noon to 10pm. It is a great place to meet friends and serves a variety of beers and wines, as well as tea and coffee.
1,000 rooms
Imperial College has three buildings in South Kensington: Eastside Halls and Southside Halls in Prince’s Gardens, and Beit Hall next to the Royal Albert Hall. Eastside and Southside are the newer buildings and have a modern feel, and Beit Hall is a listed (preserved) building so it has a different character. Many prefer the high ceilings and the quadrangular patio that the rooms overlook. There are also some triple rooms in this block.
How to book
Rates vary throughout the season but start from around £ 35 per night for a single room with a private bathroom.
Reserve at: www.universityrooms.com (Search for ‘Beit Hall’ and ‘Prince’s Gardens’)
This site also allows you to compare university accommodation in London with other universities.
For more information and photos, visit the Imperial College Summer Accommodation website.
If you are looking for accommodation in London for large groups, HouseTrip has some great private houses that can be rented.
