The Kensington
The Kensington descritpion
Hotel The Kensington sells fast on our site. Tastefully decorated and refurbished, The Kensington has a bar, popular restaurant and rooms with private bathrooms. The hotel is in an ideal location on the seafront, a short walk from Britannia Pier.
All bedrooms at The Kensington are individually designed and furnished to offer maximum comfort. Many rooms have superb sea views and all have TV, tea/coffee and include a superb full English breakfast.
All first-floor public areas have free Wi-Fi access, as do some bedrooms.
When visiting Great Yarmouth you can be assured of a warm welcome at The Kensington, where the staff makes an extra effort to ensure your stay is comfortable and enjoyable.
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The staff speaks English——The Kensington's staff speaks:Portuguese,English
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Facilities of The Kensington
Outdoors ：Grounds | Terrace
Pets ：Pets are allowed on request. Charges may apply.
Activities ：Pool Table | Beachfront
Food & Drink ：Restaurant | Bar | Special Diet Meals (upon request)
Internet ：Free!WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.
Parking ：Free!Free public parking is available on site (reservation is not needed).
Services ：Packed Lunches | Shared Lounge/TV Area | Daily Housekeeping | Meeting/Banquet Facilities | Fax/Photocopying
General ：Non-smoking Rooms | Family Rooms | Elevator | Heating | All Spaces Non-Smoking (public and private)
Languages Spoken ：Portuguese | English
Reviews for The Kensington
Review 1：Nothing negative to say
Review 2：Fantastic vegetarian choice for my partner and plenty of choice for me Staff were all lovely and couldn't do enough for us We will definitely be back
Review 3：They tried to get our room ready early for ys and while we waited they gave us free coffee also we missed evening meal as our little one fell a sleep but they didnt mind us ordering in food to the room and supplied us with cutlery.
Review 4：Bedrooms slightly outdated, room right above kitchen which meant lots banging and very creaky bed.
Review 5：Food was amazing, staff were lovely nothing too much trouble. Very professional.
Review 6：The staff and receptionist couldn't have been more helpful or professional. Very very friendly. It was very clean, the evening meal we had in the restraurant and breakfast was great
Review 7：I booked a superior room and was expecting it to be much bigger.
Review 8：The location is brilliant with the venetian waterways just across the road and the beach.Perfect for dog walking.
Review 9：Fantastic hotel , well appointed , breakfast 10 * try the home made porridge with cream and demarera sugar this place is a lesson to all seaside holiday hotels on how to do the job properly.
Review 10：the rooms while clean etc were a little small and corridors very narrow on our floor. The shower was an issue-very hard to adjust to a good temperature.
Review 11：The staff were excellent. The breakfast very good.
Review 12：housekeeping not good paid extra for cleaning of room because we took dogs was not hoovered for 2 days floor was white with dog hairs
Review 13：food great, staff were great,
Review 14：Room 7: very small, limited space.Disturbed during night and from 6am because of lift next door - moving and lift door banging shut. One bed was a fold up bed and shower very difficult to get temperature right.
Review 15：Staff were very friendly and helpful. Overall the food was good, although when staff were busy, took a while to be served.
Review 16：Slightly further distance from centre than expected but still walkable.
Review 17：Good location and lovely room, plus staff were really friendly and happy to help.
Review 18：Rooms were a little bit small and due to Christmas parties over the weekend was very noisy however we were warned by the staff before our stay so cannot really complain.
Review 19：Staff were helpful, hotel was very clean and the breakfast was very good.
Review 20：I had the feeling we were given a room in the attic ,3 flights of stairsand room the Door lock was broken and could not open the door from theoutside.All because were booked through booking .com. And had not payedthe full hotel price.handles were falling off the cupboards. So I hadenough and said lets go home, But the man in reception heard me andupgraded us to a better room. Even though he said when we got there"WE have upgraded you to one of our better rooms and BIGGER"But it was very small in the attic. Would I say again ,,no
Review 21：Finding out our room was in a very bad state and in the attic. Thenbeing moved to a better room
Review 22：booked a double room with 2 of us staying there and was surprised that the wash hand basin was in the room and not in the bathroom, so not much privacy or dignity when you wanted to have a strip wash. the bathroom just had a toilet and shower.
Review 23：nice location on sea front. breakfast and evening meals were good.
Review 24：Bed was not comfortable and the sink was in the wrong place with it being in bedroom next to window which we thought was not very good after going toilet
Review 25：The good part was we got a move to another room with no problems which we were very happy with
Review 26：They had a disco on the night that I was stopping. They let me have the top room saying that it would be quieter. When they fired up the ghetto blaster at 23:30. It sounded like I had a speaker in my room. It stayed like this till 0100. I was up at 0600 for work. There rendition of 'hi ho silver lining' was a particular low light.
Review 27：Unfortunately on two nights of our stay the restaurant was closed to residents because of christmas party nights . Not impressed that management could only say they had contacted guests prior to arrival to be included ( we had not been !!) and didn't try to resolve our problem. Basically had to wear it !!
Review 28：Food was excellent and good value
Review 29：the curse of the creaky floorboards and thin walls. OK if you like to hear what your neighbours are up to. If not....
Review 30：Right on the beach, away from town centre (but still near enough (10 min walk). Lovely lounge/bar area (Christmas trees up already!). Comfy bed, refurbished bathroom, nicely done. Fine breakfast
Review 31：Bed in our room was really hard, booked a meal for 7pm in the evening, had to wait 50 minutes for it. Even though my meal was a chicken salad, (which arrived with no dressing on the salad) I was not even asked if I wanted it, and my wife had ham egg and chips. When we asked why the delay the waiter said there was a problem with the boiled eggs. Dessert smallest portion ever seen, still cost £5. Very poor.
Review 32：Location
Review 33：We found the dinning room very hot for our family gettogether on the sat.evening . Hotel very hot all round,. bed could have been more comfortable
Review 34：Hotel very nice great food ,very friendly staff and very helpful would book again.
Review 35：Room was smaller than expected and found it a little difficult to get round one side of bed and window did not shut properly.
Review 36：The breakfast was exceptional and the staff were very helpful, accommodating and were always happy. Very clean and spacious in the dining area and lounge.
Review 37：I could hear people talking next door and could hear the people above even walking around. Was rather annoying and did not get a good night sleep at all as it felt like someone was in our room walking around but it was room next door the floor board were very squeaky. Did not have a nice experience!
Review 38：It was good for the price
Review 39：Room was cramped for a superior room. Not enough space in bathroom for toiletries. No heat from radiator so had to use electric fire. Rest of hotel boiling hot.
Review 40：The location was good. Bed comfortable.Breakfast good. Welcome drink on arrival was nice touch.
Review 41：Great value hotel with super staff, food and location. Only minor point was the bed...quite creaky and could do with a new mattress. As the hotel was quiet, they kindly upgraded our room. Pleasant atmosphere in the hotel makes this one hat we would happily return to.
Review 42：Fabulous stay in great little seaside hotel opposite the waterways gardens and sea. Staff very friendly. Beautiful sea walks with the main shopping centre around 10 minutes walk away and the golden sands of Great Yarmouth on your doorstep.
Review 43：Staff service was appalling. I was double charged on arrival and then breakfast was so slow (I waited over 30 mins for toast) and had to leave before it arrived.
Review 44：in the bathroom, there was tiny hairs everywhere yuuukkkk, they were on the tiles, and as the tiles are white the hairs were very apparent...yuuk,they were on the sink in the bath...awful... floor hadn't been hoovered, the room wasn't replenished to the speck had i been a new customer everyday, the shower/bath gels, complementary biscuits,toilets rolls would of all been replenished but this wasn't bothered with as i was staying for 3 nights...costcutting i suppose
Review 45：loved the location, and the food on site, what i had was wonderful, and the breakfast each morning was excellent.
Review 46：Wifi was very poor and wasn't able to use the Internet. Was started 'high speed wifi' but this wasn't true.
Review 47：Staff were friendly, value of money was good although we got a deal but wouldn't pay anymore for what we had.
Review 48：Everything was bad for me since the beginning, greeted by a shoeless man on the arrival, wrong bedroom, 1 member of the staff entered the room at 6.am,another one entered at 9 a.m when the fire alarm has been ringing for 10minutes saying we had to leave the hotel because there was a fire, when we came downstairs another member told us that we could go back. I have never been in a worse place.
Review 49：The location isn't bad and the outside area.
Review 50：nothing
Review 51：everyone were so friendly from start to finish , nothing to much trouble, very clean and tidy, brilliant food lots of choice. I am going to book again next year loved it xx
Review 52：Sink in bedroom rather than bathroom. Shower dark and gloomy.
Review 53：Great location on the sea front. Rooms were clean, perhaps not to our taste but perfect for the price.
Review 54：Everything absolutely perfect
Review 55：Staff was extremely friendly and welcoming. The food was amazing and so was breakfast. The room was lovely and light and spacious. Had a lovely view would defiantly stop again.
Review 56：This is our second visit to the Kensington Hotel and it is by far the best we have used in Great Yarmouth.The Staff are very friendly and helpful and nothing is to much trouble for them.A very professional team,An excellent location.
Review 57：That the double bed in room was actually two single beds pushed together which where different sizes . Also the stairwell carpets could do with a clean
Review 58：Very good service . Friendly staff . Nice location
Review 59：When they said cosy room my god it was tinny and the bathroom window was rusty so could not open it. It was freezing st night time had to ask for extra blanket.
Review 60：the friendly staff
Review 61：The carpet in the hallways was very dated, grubby and looked like it hadn't been hoovered for years. The shower settings was a nuisance; very hard to get the right water temperature! Floorboards are noisy. I could hear the people above moving around.
Review 62：All staff were extremely helpful, friendly and professional. Felt very welcomed. The breakfast service was great, left my belly full. A buffet selection available and hot set meals Ordered lunch in the restaurant and the food was good value for money and a generous serving Hotel is located on beach front Rooms and linen very clean Parking available Value for money!
Review 63：the comfort wasn't that good inside the property looked like an old guest house.
Review 64：The location is excellent the food was nice the staff was very welcoming
Review 65：Very weak shower. Faulty TV remote control. Faulty roller blind on window.
Review 66：A very comfortable room. Comfortable lounge area to sit in. Very nice breakfasts. Reasonably priced evening meals. Friendly staff.
Review 67：However since this was superior double room we thought that the sink in the bedroom was extremely unhealthy and dated and should be positioned nearer the toilet.
Review 68：Location was perfect, comfortable bed, friendly staff.
Review 69：Stair carpets noticeably grubby and not hoovered. Cushions grubby. Duvet cover too small for the duvet.
Review 70：Staff were very helpful and friendly. Initial overall impression good.
Review 71：the pool table didnt have the correct amount of balls or the right size balls.
Review 72：the staff on shift were exceptionally helpful and polite, i will be coming back to the hotel for that service alone, other then that every service was great.
Review 73：Paper thin walls, shower wouldn't work at peak times, the sink not being in the bathroom would have liked blackout curtains
Review 74：Room was clean staff all helpful, good breakfast provided plenty of choice
Review 75：Room a bit small, the door hit the toilet when you opened or closed it, shower curtain dirty pink colour at bottom which smelt and shaver point in bathroom didn't work
Review 76：Lovely clean sheets nice location great breakfast lots of choices
Review 77：Cistern constantly made a noise trying to fill up. We mentioned it before we left & they said they would attend to it straight away. We reported it as the flush stopped working just before our departure so they didn't let it out again before it was repaired.
Review 78：Very friendly staff, rooms kept warm. Although we haven't got pets but thought it was lovely that they are a dog friendly hotel. Gorgeous breakfast. Although we couldn't have an evening meal in the restaurant due to a wedding party, we didn't let that spoil our stay. We have stayed before & eaten in the restaurant it was a very nice meal. We will definitely return.
Review 79：The bedrooms rather let the place down. Basic maintenance, such as replacing light bulbs, checking the TV worked properly, etc. was lacking. The decor was rather tired and squeaky floorboards and thin walls didn't help.
Review 80：Being on the sea front near to the Great Yarmouth attractions was good. The staff were very friendly and the dining room and food were good
Review 81：Room was very small, shower pressure was extremely poor and cubicle tiny. Some of the towels were fraying at the edges
Review 82：Staff were extremely helpful and friendly, room was clean and tidy
Review 83：THE ONLY THING THAT WASN'T SO GOOD WAS THE PILLOWS NOT VERY COMFORTABLE AT ALL
Review 84：STAFF WERE VERY FRIENDLY ,ROOM VERY CLEAN ALSO BATHROOM.BREAKFAST GOOD
Review 85：Understaffed, slow service for food, they don't turn the heat on in rooms until Oct. and it was freezing at night. Thankfully we had two beds so we doubled up on bedding to stay warm
Review 86：Located on an interesting street, nice gardens across road
Review 87：This hotel is situated ideally on the northern end of the Great Yarmouth Golden Mile and opposite to the Waterways. Nice and quiet and within walking distance of the town centre. However it is far below the 4star standards that I have experienced in the UK.On arrival we were given our room key but I cannot say that we were given any kind of welcome, just the usual fill in the form. The reception area was just a desk at the bottom of the stairs and to enter the hotel one had to ring a bell at the side entrance. The room that we were given was very, very small, I would call it a single room with a double bed, being only just enough room to walk around the bed. The ‘bathroom’ was a shower and toilet with the washbasin in the bedroom! As the room description was with ‘seating area’ I was not happy and went to reception to see if this could be amended to a larger room. On showing the booking confirmation with ‘seating area’ plainly in the description we were given a larger room, a satisfactory amendment with which I was pleased. This room had a bathroom with shower, toilet and wash basin!There was a notice in reception saying that the hotel was undergoing refurbishment, this however should not be reason for the carpet being filthy dirty on the stairs, in the bedroom and in the dining room. There were clusters of congregated dust on the stairs, especially in the corners.During our 3 night stay there was no cleaning done to our room and only once were the towels changed. The bed was straightened each day and cups were washed.Although we did not require it, there was no sign of the trouser press that was in the room description. The toiletries were, one very small soap, a very small shampoo and a very small body wash, enough for one person for one use.The evening meal that we had in the bar was excellent and the prices for both food and drink were reasonable.
Review 88：We could not fault this hotel, at all.
Review 89：The room was very clean. The food was excellent. The staff were extremely helpful, curteous & professional. They helped make our stay, very pleasant.
Review 90：I really do not like to complain, but our room really was quite grubby. The Bathroom being the worst with lots of other people's hair etc all over it. Not nice. The curtains were also really stained.
Review 91：Good location and friendly staff.
Review 92：we were in room 1 & the noise of floor boards from above was very loud at all hours. maybe we were unlucky you would like to think given the high rating they have there are better rooms to be had. shower was disappointing water was hot but the flow was weak.
Review 93：very clean good location
Review 94：Parts of property badly in need of painting mostly external also windows single glazed so drafty also windows very dirty ..
Review 95：Staff very good breakfast very good.
Review 96：Shower didn't work, the rooms were disappointingly small (the single room was like a cupboard) and I could hear the people in the room next door talking, using their shower (lucky them) - very, very noisy. My towel holder came off the wall when I touched it. Evidence of some sub-standard DIY going on throughout really. Leak in ceiling downstairs so greeted by buckets.
Review 97：Restaurant was very good although service was a little slow. Bar and downstairs area all very pleasant and welcoming and have obviously been refurbished to a high standard making it look like a 4 star hotel.
Review 98：Took a while for staff to answer the bell at the bar when waitin for a drink.. At breakfast in the morning we waiting 15 minutes just for staff to take our order they kept walking past. The breakfast was small not very much choice. The parking was awful the car park was full they told us to park on a side road the only free space was a ten minute walk away from the hotel.. When complained about the manager did move her car but then blocked us in when she parked behind us! There were marks on the walls where hadn't been cleaned adequately. The price of this stay was way to overpriced for what was included.
Review 99：Not too far from the pier and shops, the bed was comfy. Bar was open till quite late.
Review 100：The room was a bit small but adequate.
Review 101：We took our dog and was made very welcome. The food was good & a table was made up for us to eat in the bar area so our dog could be with us.
Review 102：Only downside was waiting for one member of staff on duty to do all jobs! ie. Reception, waiting and tending bar.
Review 103：Friendly,clean, lovely breakfast! Quiet maybe too quiet!
Review 104：insufficient and bad staff , cause of i`m still waiting for coffee at breakfast time . the cleaner woman opened my door in the morning and she didn`t knock!just the receptionist girl is fine, horrible the rest!probably i won`t come back!
Review 105：just the room , i felt very comfortable
Review 106：Nothing ,anyone who complains about this hotel are snobs ,def
Review 107：The room was beautiful with sea view ,bathroom was big & very clean ,the breakfast was presented well & lots of it to keep u going till mid afternoon .
Review 108：Our two bedrooms were very small hotel I would expect to have more than one small chair in a double bedroom in a hotel that had 5 stars. There was no place to stow our luggage (fortunately we had very little). The single room had no chair at all.The bathrooms were not modern - one water closet was cracked near the flush handle. One morning our shower did not deliver hot water.
Review 109：Spacious public rooms and very friendly, helpful staff.
Review 110：Bathroom was terrible, dirty toilet and shower cubical. Hotel had dust everywhere on skirting boards, and carpets were in need of a good vacumn. Infact they needed replacing.
Review 111：free drink while they cleaned room
Review 112：This hotel is not 4* it is a 3* at best.The room was very small for a family- it was probably ok for 2 people. It was very hot (maybe because it was so small). The room was not well decorated and did not look like the glossy photos. The towels were dirty and one night when we arrived back the room had not been made up- not ideal when you have a toddler who wants to go to bed. The shower is a mixer over the bath so temperature oscillated between burn and cold. We had one evenign meal which was lack lustre and the children s meal was unedible
Review 113：The location and staff were friendly. The breakfast was good.
Review 114：The meal on my first nights stay I had to return as I had Chilli con carne and had clearly been reheated in a microwave and over done. There wasn't any towels in my room on arrival and I had to plug the kettle in on the floor as there was no lead to a socket where the kettle could be placed on a surface. As I was there on my own it would have been nice for the staff to make me feel welcome but I felt ignored and unimportant. When I would arrive in the dining area to be seated I would be walked passed several times before being attended to. When I ordered breakfast and the second day I waiting for 45 for my meal to be served to me.
Review 115：The location was good. Close enough to amenities. The decor of the building was good overall
Review 116：Bedroom wasn't very clean, dirty tissue on floor , sweets found under chair and dusty. Shower wasn't powerful just dribbled out.
Review 117：View from window and friendly staff
Review 118：We moved the bed to get something that had rolled under it and there was quite a bit of much underneath. But otherwise we couldn't fault the cleanliness
Review 119：The staff were so lovely and though it was a little walk along the seafront to all the amenities it was in a pretty and tranquil location.
Review 120：Sticky handrails, old and worn carpeting, squeaky bed and an awkward shower unit which was very difficult to adjust to the right temperature
Review 121：The full English cooked breakfast
Review 122：Low water pressure to electric shower causing hot water to run cold frequently (I reported this to staff on leaving and was assured it would be attended to). Guests pet dog in room next door making howling noises over several hours, however staff sorted this problem swiftly when I reported it.
Review 123：Friendly approachable staff. Food quality and quantity. Hotel's location.
Review 124：Room is a bit basic, and fairly small.
Review 125：All the staff were excellent, helpfull and good-natured. Specific breakfast requests (green beans, gluten-free bread, etc) were no problem at all.
Review 126：The mattress was firmer than we prefer but it didn't spoil our time there.
Review 127：A lovely hotel for a weekend break, friendly staff and pleasant facilities.
Review 128：The hallway leading to our room needed decorating. Also there was a dreadful smell lingering in this hallway in the morning.
Review 129：Breakfast and dining area was very pleasant. Staff were very courteous and professional.
Review 130：The room was not very clean very dusty and looked like it hadn't been hoovered! the bathroom was awful and needs a good deep clean if not a proper clean! We also found something left behind from a previous guest! The public areas could also do with a good clean!
Review 131：It was in a good location and the sea view was lovely! Breakfast was good
Review 132：WiFi was very poor, good signal but failed to connect. Our ground floor room had a room above with excessively creaky floorboards which woke me up a few times each time the people above walked anywhere.
Review 133：Room was comfy, nice view, clean facilities and friendly welcoming staff. Breakfast was very nice too. Would stay again.
Review 134：The pillows were lumpy,shower was over the bath which for some people climbing into the bath would be difficult as sides were quite high. 1xshampoo,1xshower gel for 2 nights stay was woefully inadequate...not even replaced next day nor sink cleaned!.
Review 135：the staff were friendly and very pleasant
Review 136：asked reception for a toilet roll but it did not arrive so my wife had to take one from the bar toilet, the receptionist was very forgetful (as above) also we told him that we had a table booked for the evening and he forgot to mention it making it late for us to get our meal because a table was not available.
Review 137：no hair dryer in room, extractor fan in bathroom did not work, plumbing pipes from next door room very noisy and loud. Not what we would expect from a superior room!
Review 138：the sea view !
Review 139：Daylight shining in at 5.30am. There were a lot of stairs to carry my luggage up. I thought "wait to be seated" arrangement for breakfast slightly annoying.
Review 140：Overall, a very enjoyable stay, with plenty to see and do in the area. Extremely good value for a hotel of this quality.
The Fine Print
Pets by arrangement.Please note, the hotel will make every effort to accommodate special requests but these cannot be guaranteed.Please note that this hotel does not accept bookings from large single-sex groups.