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The Crowne Plaza Kensington hotel has a secret beach in Summer

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If you are looking for somewhere classy for a quiet drink in West London over the Summer, Crowne Plaza London Kensington (the townhouse hotel on Cromwell Road, opposite Gloucester Road tube) has brought back its Secret Beach until the end of September.

I popped in for the launch party on Monday night.  As you can see – click to enlarge:

Crowne Plaza Kensington secret beach

….. they have done a very good job transforming the huge garden behind the hotel into a sand-covered lounging and drinking area.

If you’re looking for somewhere different for a private lunch or dinner the hotel has also – as you can see just behind the beach in the picture – installed some domes for all-weather outdoor eating.  Each is fully airconditioned, has wi-fi and power sockets and has been set up with a circular dining table and chairs.

Crowne Plaza Kensington secret beach

Crowne Plaza Kensington is a very classy hotel – don’t be fooled by the townhouse exterior.  I did a review of Crowne Plaza London Kensington here based on a press tour.


IHG One Rewards update – April 2024:

Get bonus points: IHG One Rewards is offering 2,000 bonus points for every two cash nights you stay (not necessarily consecutive) between 1st April and 31st May 2024. You can read our full article here and you can register here.

New to IHG One Rewards?  Read our overview of IHG One Rewards here and our article on points expiry rules here. Our article on ‘What are IHG One Rewards points worth?’ is here.

Buy points: If you need additional IHG One Rewards points, you can buy them here.

Want to earn more hotel points?  Click here to see our complete list of promotions from IHG and the other major hotel chains or use the ‘Hotel Offers’ link in the menu bar at the top of the page.

Comments (121)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Dwb1873 says:

    Deliberately used my card ‘upside down’ twice today. It worked fine.

  • Harry says:

    Applied for a new gold credit card and no amex offers on the card whatsoever ):

    The card could NOT be added to my current online account so I made a new account, worried that I will experience the glitch where no offers filter through on the card, any suggestions? a new online acc again or report the card lost and get a new one so it may ‘trigger’ something in the system to refresh the offers?

    • TGLoyalty says:

      Have you been spending on the card? Offers take a few days/weeks to trickle through

  • Fraser says:

    O/T but just looking at prices for the Crowne Plaza in Prague.

    Fantastic offer – £92.90 per night cash, or 15,000 points PLUS £94.65.

    Rob, how does this valuation of MINUS 0.0116p per point stack with you? Worst redemption ever?!

    • TGLoyalty says:

      It’s because with C+P you’re effectively buying the points for about 0.5p each.

      Also are you comparing a full refundable points booking with a discounted non refundable rate?

      Any reason you aren’t considering the Hilton old town?

      • Olly says:

        Fab hotel and Diamonds very well looked after in the lounge.

        • Fraser says:

          Yes, I’ve stayed there before and agree about the lounge. CP is over a third cheaper and will trigger some more Accelerate points though.

  • Paul says:

    My metal platinum card works however I hold it and I’ve tried almost every way the last two days to test it

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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