Angela Swann reveals her inner rock diva with a break at the lavish K West hotel and spa in Kensington

By the time I practically fell through the revolving door into the reception of the K West hotel and spa I was very much in need of a large G&T.

Arranging to meet at the west London hotel, my friend and I had bumped into each other 20 minutes earlier, both of us wandering bewildered through Shepherd’s Bush, swearing at our iPhones.

Another faintly ridiculous circuit of the high street later, with the maps app apparently only willing to play a game of hotter and colder with us, we finally stumbled across the set of steps leading down to Richmond Way.

We quickly spotted the striking glass edifice of the hotel jutting out into the street like the prow of an ocean liner – truly a sight to behold and a telling sign of what to expect inside.

Not originally a hotel at all, the building was the BBC’s Kensington House in the 60s, boasting an impressive musical heritage with big names who’ve stayed or played there.

Legendary musical names to have graced its premises include Bob Marley and the Wailers, Bowie, The Kinks and Amy Winehouse to name but a few.

My friend, a musician herself, and I were excited that its location near the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire and the Apollo meant it was still a popular place to stay for famous names – would we be rubbing shoulders with any tonight?

The interior is bright and contemporary, very much playing up the rock & roll angle.

The Studio Bar for example is the epitome of cool with industrial pendant lights – so ‘in’ – booths and black and white pictures of musical legends.

So far so cool and something a little bit different from your standard top-end London lodgings.

But if, like me, comfort is as crucial as cachet, then our room, one of an impressive 219, ticked all the boxes.

As well as being spacious and tastefully decorated, the beds were ridiculously comfortable and the en suite superb.

Throw in a massive TV and a free-to-use tablet and smartphone, and I really couldn’t fault it.

And so off to dinner, via the Studio Bar for the long-awaited, and eye-wateringly expensive, G&T.

The Studio Kitchen is on a mezzanine floor above the bar and continues the cool but casual atmosphere.

The menu, as well as the decor, is refreshingly unpretentious – more New York diner than stuffy gastro experience – and a delicious three courses later we were happily stuffed despite failing spot a single celebrity at any of the other tables.

Sad to say, we didn’t get the chance to try the Glam Rock Afternoon Tea, which is served on vintage record covers, with electric blue and pink teapots and teacups – and comes complete with ‘rolling scones’.

After dinner, we decided we weren’t quite cool or indeed young enough to enjoy the DJ who sets up every Friday and Saturday night in the bar and retired fairly early, looking forward to a morning in the K West Spa.

Complete with a hydrotherapy pool, sanarium, sauna, dry flotation tank, aromatic herbal steam room, a snow room and the fully equipped gymnasium, it was the perfect way to round off a relaxing stay.

With attentive staff and a stone’s throw away from the retail heaven that is Westfield Shopping Centre, K West offers all the comfort of a swish, modern hotel but with an added dash of fun. Just don’t rely on your iPhone to find it...

* K West Hotel & Spa, Richmond Way, London W14 0AX

020 8008 6600

k-west.co.uk

* Prices start from £125 per room per night, and the K Suites are from £540 per night including VAT.

Spa packages, with use of all wellness facilities, are also available and include overnight accommodation and treatments.

*The Glam Rock Prosecco Afternoon Tea is available for £31.50, and the ‘Rock ‘N’ Cocktails Midnight Tea is priced at £36.50.

The hotel is currently running a K Fit Summer Offer.

Join for just three months for £55 per month.

The offer is available until August 31.