Barkston Gardens

After fifteen years of welcoming American guests to my Kensington hotel, I’ve learned that missing familiar holidays and traditions can be one of the biggest concerns for US visitors to […]

As a London hotel owner who’s welcomed thousands of American guests over the years, I’ve become something of an unofficial translator of “British-isms.” While we may speak the same language, […]

As a London hotel owner who has welcomed countless New York visitors over the years, I’m often drawn into friendly debates about which city reigns supreme. While both capitals hold […]

“But isn’t London all about tea?” As a London hotel owner who’s greeted thousands of caffeine-craving American guests, I hear this concern almost daily. Let me put your mind at […]

After welcoming American visitors to my Kensington hotel for over 15 years, I’ve heard every London travel horror story imaginable – from the £300 family dinner in a tourist trap […]

When my American guests arrive at my Kensington hotel, they usually have the same London landmarks on their must-see list: Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. While these iconic […]

As a London hotel owner, I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve drawn little maps on napkins, directing guests to my favorite food markets. “Skip the tourist trap restaurants,” […]

Picture this: you’ve just arrived at your London hotel after a long flight, ready to freshen up before exploring the city. You pull out your hair dryer, plug it in […]

After fifteen years of welcoming American guests to my Kensington hotel, I’ve witnessed every imaginable cultural confusion – from accidental queue-jumping catastrophes to tea-time tension. While London might speak English […]

As a London hotel owner who’s served breakfast to thousands of American guests and pointed countless more toward the city’s best dining spots, I’ve heard all the jokes about British […]