FAQ
Accommodation
Do you offer accessible rooms?
We have a limited number of accessible twin bedrooms available at Prince’s Gardens.
Please note, they are subject to availability and should be requested in advance.
The accessible rooms provide:
- A bedroom call point by the bed
- Socket for a vibrating pillow
- Visual fire alarm
- Walk in shower with low seat and emergency cord
- High shower rail
- Low level toilet and sink with grab rails
What amenities are provided in the bedroom?
The following items are provided in all properties:
- Bed linen
- One hand towel and one bath towel per guest
- Toiletries (Shampoo, conditioner, soap)
- One bottle of water per guest
Tea and coffee making facilities are also provided in the bedrooms at Beit Hall and Prince’s Gardens. At Woodward Buildings and Kemp Porter, kettles with tea and coffee are provided in the shared kitchens.
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 Buildings.
Does the room have a TV?
We do not have TVs in any of our bedrooms. A TV is available in the common areas.
Do you provide cots?
Yes, we can provide a cot free of charge in Beit Hall or Prince’s Gardens. Unfortunately, cots are not available in Woodward Buildings or Kemp Porter.
Is there Internet in the room?
Complimentary WiFi is available throughout our properties, through Sky Cloud. Simply select ‘The Cloud’ from your available network list and follow the instructions.
Cabled internet is available in all bedrooms, guests are required to supply their own ethernet cable.
Can I have interconnecting rooms?
We do not offer interconnecting rooms. If you are staying as part of a group, we can request rooms next to each other however this is subject to availability and is not guaranteed.
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 and kettles 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, the maximum occupancy is two people per room. As an exception we will allow one child under three to sleep in a cot in the room or share a bed with their parents.
Cots are provided free of charge in Prince’s Gardens and Beit Hall. Unfortunately, cots are not available at Woodward Buildings or Kemp Porter.
What is the difference between a standard and an en-suite room?
Standard rooms (only available in Beit Hall) have access to shared bathrooms.
En-suite rooms have a private bathroom in the room (toilet and shower).
Does the room have a hairdryer?
Hairdryers are available to hire at Reception for £10.00 deposit, which will be refunded on return of the hairdryer.
Can I have an overnight guest?
No overnight guests are allowed.
Are there laundry facilities?
Each property has a laundry facility with access to washers, dryers, irons and ironing boards available to be used for a charge (£2.30 for a machine wash and £1.30 for a dryer cycle).
Laundry rooms are located in the basement of each property. 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?
Unfortunately, we do not have air conditioning. However, a fan is provided in each room.
Can I receive mail?
Yes, you can receive mail while staying with us. The letter should include the full property address, your name and room number.
Please note that we are not responsible for damage or loss of mail and packages.
How often are the rooms cleaned?
During your stay:
- Beit Hall and Prince’s Gardens: Rooms are cleaned daily and linen changed every three days.
- Woodward Buildings and Kemp Porter Buildings: are cleaned, and linen changed, every seven days.
Availability
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.
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).
I made a booking on the website, when will I get confirmation?
Once you make an online reservation you should receive your confirmation shortly afterwards. In case the confirmation hasn’t reached your Inbox, please check your spam and then get in touch with us by emailing vacenquiries@imperial.ac.uk.
If you booked through an Online Travel Agent (for example, booking.com, Expedia), you must contact them directly.
How can I confirm my provisional booking?
A provisional booking is made if you opt to book with us directly on a non-refundable rate. To confirm a provisional reservation, you are required to make a full pre-payment within 72 hours. Once the payment is received, your booking will be confirmed.
Can you put my name on a waiting list in case something becomes available?
Unfortunately, we do not keep a waiting list. We strongly advise to check our website regularly in case of any cancellations.
Breakfast
Is breakfast included?
If you book a Bed and Breakfast rate, breakfast is included.
If you book a Room Only rate, breakfast is available at an additional cost of £12 per person, per night. Breakfast must be pre-booked. If you booked with us directly and would like to add breakfast to your reservation, please contact us to arrange.
If you booked via third party (booking.com, Expedia etc), please contact the booking agent directly to amend your reservation.
Please note: Breakfast is only available in Woodward Buildings and Kemp Porter Buildings until 14 August and will not be available to book after this date.
What is included with breakfast?
Guests will have the choice of either a full English, or a continental breakfast.
Traditional English
- Full English breakfast includes: Cumberland sausage, bacon, free range eggs, sauteed mushroom, baked beans, plum tomatoes, hash brown and a selection of toast.
- Vegan Full English breakfast includes: Soya bean, potato and thyme sausage, baked beans, sauteed mushroom, plum tomatoes, hash brown, black pudding and a selection of toast.
Or
Continental
- Chilled protein selection: Sliced ham, sliced turkey, sliced salami, boiled eggs.
- Selection of cheese, toast, butter and vegetable spread served with sliced white and brown bread.
- Selection of daily pastries (gluten free options available): Croissant, pain au chocolate, maple pecan plait, cinnamon whirl, raspberry crown, apple lattice, vanilla flavoured crown topped with glaze.
Fresh fruit and yoghurt
- Greek style yoghurt, vegan style yoghurt with hand rolled roasted granola.
- Fresh fruit: banana, apple, easy peel satsuma.
Beverages
- Freshly brewed coffee.
- Traditional English tea: Earl grey tea, fruit infused teas, orange juice, apple juice.
Where is breakfast served?
Beit Hall and Prince’s Gardens: Breakfast is served in the Senior Common Room restaurant, which is approximately a three-minute walk away.
Breakfast is served:
- Monday to Friday: 07.00 – 10.00
- Saturday and Sunday: 07.30 – 10.30
Woodward Buildings and Kemp Porter: Breakfast is served in The Foundary restaurant, on the ground floor or Woodward Buildings.
- Breakfast is served from 07.30 – 09.30 every day.
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’ve paid on the original booking. You may also 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 you made your reservation via an Online Travel Agent (e.g. booking.com, Expedia etc), you must contact the booking agent directly to make changes or cancel your reservation. Please note that individual T&Cs, including additional fees and charges may apply for these 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?
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee an early check-in. If the room is available, then we will endeavour to check you in early, however this is not guaranteed.
Can I have a late check-out?
We regret that we cannot offer a late check-out option. We are extremely busy for the duration of the summer and guests must vacate their room by 10.00 in order to clean and prepare it for the next guest’s arrival.
If you do not vacate your room by 10.00, it may be subject to a 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 postage immediately. There is £10.00 charge for every lost key card.
What is the latest check-in time?
The halls operate a 24-hour reception, so you can check-in at any time after 14.00 on the date of arrival.
Parking
Is there parking available?
Princes Gardens and Beit Hall
We have a limited number of car parking spaces available at South Kensington for guests, which must be booked in advance.
A fixed rate for overnight parking is available at a cost of £22.00 per night.
Please note: Outside of these times, the following car park charges apply
Car park charges
Duration | Price |
---|---|
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 |
Booking
You must pre-book your parking space before you arrive to avoid being turned away. To book, please email car.park@imperial.ac.uk and provide:
- Car make and model
- Registration (licence plate) number
- Arrival and departure date
Unfortunately, camper vans, mini buses and coaches are not able to park on site.
London congestion charge and ULEZ
Although South Kensington is not in the congestion charge zone, if your journey passes through central London you are liable to pay the congestion charge, at a rate of £15.00 per day.
The congestion charge operates.
- Monday to Friday: 07.00 – 18.00
- Weekends and bank holidays: 12.00 – 18.00
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 cark parks are available locally, please contact them directly for prices and availability:
Is there a disabled parking available?
Limited disabled Parking is available at Prince’s Gardens subject to availability. Disabled parking is charged at standard rate.
Do you arrange transport or transfers?
We do not provide any transport from any London destination. However, London is well served by public transport.
Payment
Can I pay on arrival?
Yes, if you have booked a flexible rate, you will be able to pay at the property on arrival.
If you have booked a non-refundable rate, pre-payment is required. You will be sent a link to pay for the reservation online within 72 hours of booking. If payment is not made during this time, the reservation will be cancelled.
Can I pay for a reservation for someone else?
Yes, you can. We can provide a payment link to pay for the reservation online.
What methods of payment do you accept?
We are a cashless business and accept payment by credit or debit card only. Unfortunately, we do not accept AMEX.
We do not accept payment by cheque, bank transfer or cash.
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 this does not apply to you.
Special Requests
Can you guarantee my special requests?
We do our best to accommodate special requests, however these are not guaranteed.
Do you allow guide dogs or assistance dogs?
Yes, we do allow registered guide dogs to stay with their owner. Please let us know in advance if you will be bringing a guide dog with you. No other pets are allowed.
Safety and Security
Is the residence safe?
We have CCTV monitoring all our properties, 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 hour security on site to support you.
Facilities
Are there places to eat?
South Kensington (Beit Hall and Prince’s Gardens)
There are plenty of food outlets available on campus including (please note that opening hours may vary and are subject to change):
Library café
- Monday to Friday: 08.00 – 18.00
- Saturday: 10.00 – 17.00
Essentials Convenience Store (Ground Floor Wilkinson Hall, Eastside Halls, Prince's Gardens)
- Monday to Friday: 08.00 – 21.00
- Saturday: 09.00 – 17.00 Sunday: 10.00 – 16.30
Alternatively, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes near South Kensington Tube station and High Street Kensington.
North Acton (Woodward Buildings and Kemp Porter Buildings)
There is a small number of cafes and food outlets within a few minutes’ walk of both properties. For a wider selection, Westfield Shopping Centre and White City are just a short tube journey away.
Can I use the sports centre facilities?
Guests staying at Beit Hall or Prince’s Gardens are able to purchase a day pass to the Ethos Sports Centre which has a gym, swimming pool and group exercise classes. A day pass costs £15.00 and is available to guests over the age of 16.
Ethos opening hours:
- Monday to Friday: 07.00 – 20.00
- Saturday and Sunday: 08.00 – 16.00
Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Unfortunately, there are no gym facilities available for guests staying in Woodward Buildings or Kemp Porter.
Luggage
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 or after check-out at their own risk in a designated area in all halls of residence. Please note that your luggage can only be stored for up to 12 hours.
Rates
Is there a discount for alumni and staff?
Yes, we have a special rate for Imperial alumni and staff.
To book, please contact the reservations team directly. You will need to provide either your alumni number or CID to access the special rates.
I am an Imperial College student; do I get a discount?
We do not offer discounts for Imperial College students. If you are a student looking for accommodation over the summer period, please contact the Student Accommodation team on accommodation@imperial.ac.uk.
Why is the price higher than you advertise on your website?
All of our rates are subject to change depending on availability. The website advertises the best available rate during the summer season.