Worth the hype? Ember Locke’s hip London aparthotel sizzles with character – and gives you the chance of a lie-in

Locke aparthotels have gone from strength to strength since launching in London in 2016. They tap into a burgeoning home-from-home trend that allows visitors the freedom to faff in the privacy of their own fancy self-catering, serviced flat – so you don’t have to rush down to a communal breakfast if you’re aching for a lie-in.

The brand made its Irish debut in 2020 with Zanzibar Locke, followed by Beckett Locke in 2021, both in Dublin.

Instagram and millennial- friendly, Locke has received a glowing word of mouth for its communal caffeine and cocktail areas – ideal for digital nomads and brainstorming sessions, as well as for good old-fashioned people-watching.

Imposter syndrome?

If I’d worried I might be too old, at 48, for such a hip-spot, I was gladly mistaken.

On ­arrival at Ember Locke in Kensington, we met a stylish white-haired Australian lady, probably in her 60s, struggling to lug her luggage up the external stairs. My friend and I gave her a hand into the yellow and pink lobby (bold colours, plush curtains, blonde wood coffee-bar area) of which Dorothy and Don Draper would surely approve.

This leads to a brighter, orangery vibe at the back, a maximalist bar and various co-working and leisure seating in between.

Weekly activities were listed above the elevator (Boxfit, yoga), and outside, my bird-nerd heart soared at the nesting boxes and bug hotels in a garden of mature trees, and appreciated the tented gazebo for curated outdoor “happenings” and casual lollings.

I’ll fit right into this Victorian-era mansion block, I thought. And so I did.

Suite dreams – or stuff of nightmares?

When I was 21, I stayed in a hostel in New York City – where, in lieu of a knife, my pal and I used a Virgin Atlantic shoehorn (weirdly included in our complimentary inflight kit) to spread peanut butter on to a bagel. No such improvisation required in my top-floor one-bed open-plan suite.

Ember Locke’s ergonomic kitchenettes are stocked with crockery, cutlery, glassware, exceedingly tasty/bougie teabags, high-end white goods, and Ecover detergent.

There was also an ironing board and iron cunningly tucked into the back of a lozenge-shaped full-size mirror. The stylishly curvaceous clothing rail proved a nuisance though, allowing only a handful of coat-hangered tops before each one fell off. (Can hotels please bring back wardrobes with doors? Utilitarian chic has its place, but sometimes going back into the actual closet is a good thing.)

But, oh, what a wonderful colour scheme. The ruddy embrace of terracotta, blush, orange and mustard tones, with forest-green kitchen units and fringed lampshades were a welcome change to the 50 shades of greige of so many “contemporary” hotels.

The cute dual-aspect, steep-roof nook was inset with a very comfortable king-size bed, and a graphic-print bedspread complemented a patterned feature wall. My friend’s eight-year-old was equally smitten with her added single bed on to which morning sunshine streamed through the skylight, while the aforementioned teabags were ceremoniously steeping.

The room’s warm hues were in stark contrast to the nippy air-conditioning and mostly tepid water in the bathroom. I notified front desk who sent a plumber, but there was no improvement. Perhaps I should’ve just jumped the bathroom queue ahead of my two roomies who had better luck.

Fine dining – or a dog’s dinner?

I hadn’t seen my dear friend and her daughter since ­February 2020 – mere weeks before lockdown, and just before they were moving to Hong Kong, so there was much to catch up on as we sat at the bar for snacks and sips. Sadly, our chinwag was stunted by a young staffer variously piddling about with glassware and boxes of ice cubes while we were clearly itching to order. Twice.

Food is served at Ember Locke but we hot-footed it to the ­Irani-Indian stunner Dishoom one evening, and ordered a Deliveroo (Baba Ghanouj restaurant) to the property on night two, as the little one was desperate to watch A Very Important Football Match while stuffing our faces in the privacy of our own ‘home’.

Conclusion

Despite a few niggles, I’d definitely stay at Ember Locke again. Firstly, you’ve the whole of London on your doorstep, with Earl’s Court Tube station 10 minutes’ away on foot. We walked to the National History Museum in 20 minutes and took the Tube to Kew Gardens in Wimbledon, around 30 minutes’ west.

Secondly, the eclectic decor is a real sight for drab eyes. Also, my suite was quiet, and its eaves aspect both quirky and familiar, rather like a theatre or film set. So, it really wasn’t too far off from making my hotlist.

Ember Locke, Kensington, London. Rooms from £220. lockeliving.com