London’s hotels are becoming an alluring amenity that I simply must have in my life these days.
Hear me out.
As you know, a few months ago… we officially moved out of our London flat (cue total sobs). But that doesn’t meant that my work life moved out of London too. It’s just that recently I’ve been finding that coming up in the daytime to get things done isn’t as easy as it used to be. Instead of nipping home to our flat throughout the day, I have to commit to a full day plan.
That means my days end up jam packed from the moment I step off the platform at Waterloo until I get right back on that platform later at night.
Sometimes it’s a little tiring.
And to be honest, in the past four years we’ve lived in London, I haven’t properly explored the London hotel scene. Why would I need to? I was living right there – and I never really needed a hotel. Even with travel blogging, it felt a little weird staying somewhere when my home was only a short tube ride away.
But now, life’s a little different. And that means I can embrace London’s hotels like they’re my second home.
Which is how I found myself checking into the K West Hotel & Spa in West London on a sunny Thursday afternoon.
Located in Shepard’s Bush, I’m no stranger to the K West Hotel & Spa. I visited last summer to try out their new Jelly Pedicure (THE DREAM) and to explore their spa.
On this occasion I was here for something a little different. Their K West Live nights. The K West Hotel & Spa was originally the old recording studios for the BBC. The likes of Bowie, Amy Winehouse and Bob Marley all used to hang where now stands the K West Hotel. It’s refreshing to see the hotel stay true to it’s roots. From the layout and design of the rooms (like mini recording studios) through to their Rock n Roll afternoon tea. And the music scene in the evenings is buzzing.
So what’s K West Live all about? I didn’t know what to expect going along. In fact, it’s safe to say I had zero expectations. I haven’t seen live music in ages really. Last year’s British Summer Time festival. So, you can say it’s easily bee awhile since I’ve seen good performances. And actually. These performances were GREAT.
K West Live puts on shows in their Studio Bar that showcase emerging UK talent with a cutting edge mix of new bands and established acts. The nights are totally free (wahoo!) for around 150 people and include three live music performances, alongside DJ sets.
We sauntered in and out throughout the evening. It was one of those hot London spring days where you spend your time outside in beer gardens and soaking up the sunshine. So getting us inside was trickier than we’d planned. But when we finally sat down… wow.
The acts performing that night were: Albert Gold, Montrell and Hannah Jane Lewis.
We only caught the end of Albert Gold’s set. A little bit soulful and while he draws inspiration from the likes of Prince and John Legend, we were gutted we didn’t manage to see more. Followed by Montrell. Their lead vocalist was going into the crowd before the performance rearranging chairs and chatting with us. I had no idea that he was their singer until he got on the stage. Friendly, joking before – and you know what? He had a smashing voice. Montrell are full of indie vibes, something that could easily already be on one of my most played Spotify lists.
Last but not least, Hannah Jane Lewis. A total performer, this girl can seriously sing. I was so impressed, her vocals could place her anywhere on the top charts. And I even found myself singing some of her songs the next day. Truly, I really hope she breaks out onto the UK scene because she really was brilliant.
The K West Hotel Live nights are now on throughout 2018 (YAY!) and you can catch them at one of these dates… K West Live music nights will be held on the third Thursday of the month throughout 2018. Event dates: 21 June, 19 July, 16 August, 20 September, 18 October, 15 November 2018.
As for the rest of the stay? Let’s just say Allie and I drank white wine to our heart’s, ordered a LATE night dinner. And then got up for a delicious breakfast downstairs – where all the coffee was very much required. Before finishing our stay with a quick nip into the spa – where we actually switched off for an hour without phones, cameras, laptops or any outside distraction.
Total bliss.
Because isn’t that what the rock n’ roll life is all about? Those great late nights – and those lazy mornings fueled by coffee and a hell of a lot of pampering.
Kelly xox