Checking Into Ember Locke: A Cabinet of Curiosities in West London
A massive Victorian townhouse dominating the street corner houses Ember Locke, one of Locke’s six properties spread out across London.
Ember Locke is their only location in West London, smack in the middle of Kensington near Earl’s Court station. It’s a hard-to-beat location that is incredibly convenient to get to–the Piccadilly line runs straight from Heathrow Airport, leaving an easy walk from the station to Cromwell Road.
No surprise, Kensington is a hubbub of activity with plenty of sights, including Kynance Mews, Design Museum, Natural History Museum, Royal Albert Hall, and Kensington Gardens. If you want to venture out of the area, the Piccadilly and District tube lines running through will get you to key locations in London comfortably. And if you drive (seriously though, who does in London?), Ember Locke offers on-site parking for a fee.
Locke Aparthotels
Ember Locke has retained the original features of its elegant red-brick facade, housing 121 studios and social spaces inside. And true to its name, it’s decorated in warm, jewelled tones and art-deco touches inspired by Kensington’s bygone “golden era” that beautifully echoes the exteriors. The colour palette is relatively dark for Locke properties (most of them are in airy pastels), and given how townhouses are structured with light streaming in from the street side, rooms may come across as dimmer than expected.
Nevertheless, the interiors, a collaboration between creative interior designers Pauline Dellemotte (Atelier Ochre) and Dré Christodoulou (House of Dré), showcase a delightful crossover of playful opulence and contemporary comforts. With bespoke furnishings and pieces created by artists and craftsmen, Ember Locke fully embraces bold patterns and plush textures intermingled with lush greenery for a maximal effect. It’s an indulgent but playful cabinet of curiosities, eclectic yet stylish, just like how we envisioned our grandparents’ home to be.
Guest Rooms
We had initially booked the suite, which was unfortunately unavailable due to maintenance work on the higher floors and had to be downgraded to the Locke Studio instead (with a refund). In hindsight, we could have gone with the even smaller City Studio, but we did appreciate having the extra legroom and a large dining table to spread out and work on.
When travelling for several weeks, I need the downtime to recharge and settle into a routine that doesn’t leave me feeling strung out the next day. And I can’t tell you how many nights I preferred a simple TV dinner or takeaway to eating out (the massive M&S foodhall near the station is a joy to browse).
The Locke Studio had everything we needed for a comfortable extended stay, fully equipped with a microwave, stovetop, dishwasher, and my favourite part–a washing machine. Even if you opt for a more compact room type, Ember Locke still has a communal laundry complete with washers and dryers for those extended stays.
Plus, your woofy friends are allowed to tag along, too!
Note that because Locke properties are more apartments than traditional hotels, rooms are only serviced once a week. We were completely fine with it as we enjoyed the privacy, and you could always toss the towels into the machine for a quick freshen-up in between.
Co-working Space
On the ground floor is a co-working space that starts to pack up during breakfast hours and stays buzzing for the rest of the day. While I wouldn’t complain about working in a beautiful space, like most London establishments, it does have laptop-free zones to encourage social interactions.
Communal Gardens
Push through the light-filled conservatory to access the communal gardens, a sprawling backyard with a massive canopy tent and seats that make you want to huddle with your friends and sip on a drink from EVE in the evening. If you go early enough during the day, you can have the entire space–a tranquil haven with birds softly chirping as they dip in and out of the birdhouses.
EVE
EVE is Ember Locke’s dining outlet that covers all bases and lasts from day to night.
As you open Ember Locke’s front door, a fresh coffee smell with dark, chocolatey notes wafts through tantalisingly. The cafe by the entrance serves barista-made coffee and pastries until the late afternoon, and the sizable morning crowd is a testament to its popularity.
On its opposite, the restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine helmed by executive chef Talia Prince, who was previously with La Gavroche and The Fat Duck. Expect a twist to classic dishes with vibrant flavours and fresh, zingy flavours, set amongst rich golden tones punctuated by forest greens and deep blues.
One thing that sets Locke properties apart from regular hotels is the rotating calendar of events that keeps things interesting throughout an extended stay, including assorted workshops for arts and crafts. On top of all that, EVE features live music and DJ on weekend evenings, so if you’re hanging around after dark, find a decadent seat and settle in for some signature cocktails.
Opening hours for the restaurant and bar vary by season and day of the week, so check for details in advance.
And don’t worry if you over-indulge yourself; you can always burn off the calories in the wellness studio, open around the clock.
Thoughts
I first encountered the Locke properties because of their Edinburgh location, and my mind still flits back to them every now and then.
There’s a trend to move towards more practical yet stylish accommodation options when travelling. On the quest for the perfect stay, we’ve all encountered the rented apartments that we wish were more pristine, tasteful, and maybe a little less lived-in. Or the beige serviced apartment a little too sterile, and the perfect hotel on the pricier end. Locke fills that gaping niche beautifully, and with their growing network of properties in Europe, you can always count on them to deliver an immersive stay whether you’re travelling for work or leisure.
While the thoughtful interiors ooze relaxed vibes, Ember Locke goes beyond a boutique hotel to culture a genuine community full of character, with something always going on to encourage guests to sample the neighbourhood like a local. If you’re like me and prefer to keep to yourself, the intimacy of your studio will ensure you can wind down comfortably after a long day, far away from the action. (In many ways, the attention to detail reminds me of Else Kuala Lumpur.)
Ember Locke also has a 24-hour front desk, truly a lifesaver. From the moment we stepped in, the staff (hello, Michael!) went out of their way to help us with everything, from recommending insider insights for the neighbourhood, offering an early check-in, and even leaving thoughtful and oh-so generous complimentary F&B in the room. When you’re incredibly jetlagged at 7 AM on a bleak Monday morning, a warm welcome really goes a long way in helping you settle in, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
We’re definitely coming back whenever our next visit to London might be. And we can’t wait to check out another of the Locke properties across town, too!
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