Availability

When is the accommodation available?

We're open for bookings from 3 July to 24 September 2023 (last check-out by 10.00 on 25 September 2023).

The accommodation is fully booked for the dates I would like, can I put my name on a waiting list in case a room becomes available?

Unfortunately, we do not keep a waiting list to register the guests interested in our accommodation. We strongly advise you to check our website regularly in case of any cancellations.

I booked a room online, when will I get confirmation?

Once you make an online reservation you should receive your confirmation by email shortly afterwards. If this is not the case, please check your spam folder and then get in touch with us by emailing vacenquiries@imperial.ac.uk.

Accommodation

Are bed linen and towels provided?

Bed linen, towels and toiletries are provided in all properties. 

Is there a fridge in the room?

Our rooms do not have fridges. If you have a medical condition and need one to store your medication, please advise one of the reservation agents in advance. Shared kitchens with fridges are available at  Woodward Buildings and Kemp Porter.

Are there TVs in the bedrooms?

We do not have TVs in any of our bedrooms. TV is available in the common areas.

Is there Internet in the room?

Free WiFi is available in all bedrooms and throughout our properties.

Can I have interconnected rooms?

We do not offer interconnected rooms. 

Are there kitchens available?

Kitchens are not available in Beit Hall or Prince’s Gardens.

Shared kitchens are available in Woodward Buildings and Kemp Porter. Kitchens are equipped with fridge-freezers, kettles, microwaves, toasters only. Guests are advised to bring their own cooking or kitchen utensils as none are provided.

Can I book a double room for three people?

No, unfortunately we can only accommodate up to two people per room. If you are looking for accommodation for more than two people, we can split the booking between two rooms (a twin and a single) with the relevant room rate applied.

What is the difference between a standard and an en-suite room?

Standard rooms have access to shared bathrooms and en-suite rooms have private bathrooms (toilet and shower).

Can I have an overnight guest?

No overnight guests are allowed.

Are there laundry facilities?

Each property has a laundry facility (washer/dryer) available to be used for a charge. Laundry rooms are located in the basement of each hall. All machines operate using a mobile app which can be downloaded to your iPhone or Android phone. Details can be found in the laundry room. If you don’t have a smart phone, please ask at reception for information on alternatives.

Washing powder is not provided.

Is there air-conditioning in the rooms/heating?

Unfortunately, we do not have air conditioning in the rooms, however, a fan is available in each room.

There is heating in the halls, although heating is normally not turned on during the summer months.

Can I receive mail?

Yes, you can. You have to input the full address of the hall, your name and room number. However, we are not held responsible for damage or loss of mail and packages.

How often are the rooms cleaned?

During your stay, rooms are cleaned, and linen changed:

  • Every three days in Prince’s Gardens and Beit Hall
  • Every seven days at Woodward Buildings and Kemp Porter Buildings

Breakfast

Is the breakfast included?

Guests staying at Prince's Gardens or Beit Hall can pre-book breakfast. This can be done at the time of booking by selecting the Bed & Breakfast option for the room type of your choice. Breakfast cannot be purchased at the time of arrival or directly at the restaurant. For guests, who do not prebook breakfast in advance, there are a number of restaurants and outlets on campus to purchase breakfast on the day. Please refer to the guest information leaflet, available on arrival from the check-in centre, for more information on outlets, food selection and opening hours.

Cancellations and Amendments

Can I extend my stay after I check-in?

Yes, you can as long as we have availability. Please note the price for the additional nights may differ from the one you paid for the original booking. You may be asked to move to another room for the additional nights if the room you are currently occupying is allocated to another guest.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

This will depend on the type of booking you made. We offer two booking types, either refundable or non-refundable.

Refundable bookings

Payment 

  • Payment can be made on arrival. A valid debit or credit card must provided at the time of booking to secure the reservation.

Cancellation

  • More than 48-hours prior to arrival: 100% refund
  • 48-hours or less: No refund
  • No Show: No refund

Amendments

  • If you wish to change your reservation more than seven days prior to arrival, there is no amendment charge, however the cost of the new booking will apply.
  • Changes with less than seven days until the arrival date are not possible and cancellation charges will apply.

Non-refundable bookings

Payment

  • Full pre-payment is required at the time of booking for all non-refundable reservations. Our preferred method of payment is via the secure online payment portal.

Cancellations 

  • 100% cancellation charges apply at all times and no refund can be offered.
  • No Show - full stay will be charged and your room will be released after the first day of your expected arrival.

Amendments

  • No amendments allowed

‌View Summer Accommodation Terms and Conditions 2022.

How can I cancel my reservation?

If the booking is made directly with us you can cancel it via e-mail or over the telephone. If a refund is due we would need to take your card details as we do not keep them in our system for security reasons.

If you have made your reservation via an Online Travel Agent (e.g. booking.com, Expedia etc), you must contact the booking agent to make changes or cancel your reservation directly. Please note that individual T&Cs including additional fees and charges may apply for individual booking channels.

Check-in and Check-out

What are the check-in and check-out times?

Check-in is from 14.00.

Check-out is by 10.00.

Can I have an early check-in?

We cannot guarantee an early check-in. If the room is available the reception will let you in straight away, but there is a good chance that you have to wait until 14.00, which is the official check-in time.

Can I have a late check-out?

We regret that we cannot offer late check-out option. We are extremely busy for the duration of the summer and need guests to vacate their room by 10.00 in order to clean and prepare it for the next guest’s arrival. If you fail to vacate your room by 10.00 it may be subject to full extra night charge.

I forgot to return my key upon check-out. What do I do now?

Please kindly get in touch with us to arrange a postage immediately. 

What is the latest check-in time?

The halls operate 24-hour reception so you can check-in at any time after 14.00 on the date of arrival.

Can I leave my luggage if I arrive before the designated check-in time or need to leave after the latest check-out time?

Guests are welcome to leave their luggage prior to check-in and after check out at their own risk in a designated area in all halls of residence. Please note that your luggage can be stored for up to 12 hours.

Parking

Is there parking available?

Princes Gardens and Beit Hall 

We have a limited number of car parking spaces available for our summer accommodation guests which must be booked in advance. Overnight parking available from 18.00 until 10.00 for £30.00 per night (accommodation guests only). Please note: Outside of these times, the following car park charges apply.

Car park charges

DurationPrice
Up to one hour £3.00
Up to two hours £6.00
Up to four hours £11.00
Up to six hours £16.00
Up to nine hours £21.00
Up to 12 hours £26.00
Overnight parking for summer guests (available from 18.00 to 10.00) £30.00 
Booking

To book a car parking space please complete this form. Unfortunately camper vans, mini busses and coaches are not able to park on site. You must pre-book your parking space before arrival on site to avoid being turned away.

London congestion charge and ULEZ

Please note that central London issues a Congestion Charge for driving a vehicle within the charging zone between 07.00 - 18.00 Monday to Friday, and 12.00 - 18.00 on weekends and bank holidays. The Congestion Charge is a £15.00 daily charge.

Vehicles which do not meet the new ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zone) standards must also pay a £12.50 daily charge to drive within the zone. ULEZ operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

To find out more and how to pay please visit the Transport For London website (TFL).

Where can I park if you cannot offer me parking?

A number of NCP car parks are available locally.

Knightsbridge

Park Tower Hotel (SW1X 7RN)
Cadogan Place (SW1X 9SA)
Hornton Street (W8 7NX)

High Street Kensington

Pavillion Road (SW1X 0HH)
Royal Garden Hotel (W8 4PT)
Young Street (W8 5EH)

Is there a disabled parking available?

Disabled Parking is available at Prince’s Gardens (for Southside and Eastside) and on Prince Consort Road (for Beit Hall guests). Parking is subject to availability.

Do you arrange transport or transfers?

We do not provide any transport from any London destination. However London is well served by public transport. 

How to find South Kensington Campus

From Heathrow airport

Take the Underground (Piccadilly Line) to South Kensington Station (50 minutes travelling time).

From Gatwick airport

Take a national rail train to Victoria station (journey time 40 minutes) and then by Underground, (Circle or District Line; westbound) to South Kensington.

Both airports are some distance from central London and a taxi is not recommended for the whole journey. However, if you have to travel by taxi, establish the cost before you get in.

By sea

Take a British Rail train from the port of entry to London (Harwich to London journey time 1hr 30 mins; Dover to London journey time up to 2hrs) and then travel by Underground to South Kensington Station.

On foot

From South Kensington Station, the campus is only a five minute walk. Either follow the subway signposted to the museums or walk north up Exhibition Road. The College is next to the Science Museum.

Payment

Can I pay on arrival?

If you have booked a refundable rate, you will be able to pay at the property on arrival. If you have booked a non-refundable rate, you will be required to make full payment at the time of booking to secure your reservation.

Can I pay for a reservation for a third party?

Yes you can.

What methods of payment do you accept?

We accept payment by debit/credit card.

We do not accept payment by cheque or bank transfers. Cash is only accepted for walk-in guests. 

What is the CID number? The online payment system asks me for it.

Only Imperial College staff members have CID numbers. Please leave the box empty if you are not an Imperial College staff member.

I am an Imperial College student, do I get a discount?

We do not offer Imperial College student discount for the B&B properties in South Kensington. During the summer vacation, the halls of residence are offered to the general public on B&B hotel basis and there are no reductions for students.

Please contact the Student Accommodation Centre at accommodation@imperial.ac.uk  for student rates.

Special Requests

Can you guarantee my special requests?

We do our best to accommodate special requests, but unfortunately, they are not guaranteed.

Do you offer accessible rooms?

We have a limited number of twin accessible rooms available at our Prince’s Gardens accommodation. Please note: Rooms are subject to availability and should be requested in advance.

Safety and Security

Is the residence safe?

We have CCTV monitoring all our residences, and there is also an electronic swipe card access system to all building entrances.

Your individual room can be accessed only by you, with a key. 

Will there be someone available 24/7?

Our residences have 24 security on site to support you.