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The Drey

Stay at The Drey in London SW5, a 4.3-star LGBTQ+ friendly hotel near Natural History Museum and Victoria and Albert Museum. Enjoy lively local pubs and gardens.

1 Barkston Gardens, London SW5 0ER, United Kingdom View on map
8.6/10
Very Good Based on 106 recent guest reviews
Free Wi-Fi Accessible Air-conditioned Smoke-free
What recent guests emphasize

Comfortable, stylish stay in a lively location

Guests appreciate the hotel’s modern design, friendly staff, and excellent location near Earl's Court station. While rooms are clean and thoughtfully equipped, occasional issues with hot water and some room size variations have been reported.

Guests often praise

  • Modern, stylish, and thoughtfully designed rooms with comfortable bedding
  • Friendly, efficient, and helpful staff providing smooth check-in and check-out
  • Excellent location just a short walk from Earl’s Court Underground station
  • Cleanliness and attention to small amenities like coffee machines and toiletries
  • Relaxed atmosphere in a lively neighborhood with plenty of nearby shops and dining options

Worth knowing

  • Some rooms vary significantly in size and features, with smaller rooms lacking windows or TVs
  • Occasional issues with hot water, especially early mornings, have been reported
  • Luggage stands are not available in rooms, which some guests found inconvenient
  • Early operational challenges noted, such as fire alarm disruptions affecting water heating systems
  • The hotel is newly opened and still perfecting some services and facilities

Best for

  • Visitors looking for a chic and comfortable place close to central London transport links
  • Travelers who value friendly, attentive service and a welcoming atmosphere
  • Guests planning to explore the vibrant Earl’s Court area with its cafés, pubs, and gardens
  • LGBTQ+ travelers seeking an inclusive and friendly environment
  • Those prioritizing location and style over large room sizes or extensive onsite amenities
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About this property

Welcome to The Drey

Located at 1 Barkston Gardens in London’s vibrant Earl’s Court neighborhood, The Drey offers a blend of modern style and practical comfort in a lively setting. Its proximity to Earl’s Court Underground station ensures easy access to the city’s key attractions, while nearby spots like the Troubadour coffee house, local pubs, and gardens provide diverse options for leisure and socializing. The hotel is rated 4.3 based on 32 reviews, reflecting generally positive guest experiences with some noted areas for improvement.

The interiors are described as clean, modern, and thoughtfully designed, focusing on essential comforts without unnecessary extras. Rooms are generally cozy and well-maintained, with appreciated features such as comfortable bedding and small details like coffee machines and quality toiletries. Some guests have noted occasional issues with hot water and room layout, suggesting that while the hotel maintains good standards, certain practical aspects could benefit from further attention.

Amenities include an LGBTQ+ friendly environment, catering to an inclusive crowd. Check-in is available from 3:00 pm and check-out by 11:00 am, accommodating typical travel schedules. The attentive and friendly staff receive frequent praise for their helpfulness and efficiency, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere despite the hotel being relatively new and still fine-tuning some operations.

Its location makes The Drey a suitable choice for visitors looking to explore London's rich cultural scene, with world-renowned museums like the Natural History Museum, Victoria and Albert Museum, and Science Museum all within reach. The hotel's practical setting and reliable transport links also provide convenient access to major airports including Heathrow and Gatwick, supporting both leisure and business travelers.

Summary compiled by GoHotelly editors from verified guest reviews, partner descriptions and editorial notes.
Facilities & essentials

What's on-site and what you should know before you arrive

The short version: what's available day-to-day, and the key practical details most travelers search for.

Most popular facilities

Free Wi-Fi
Accessible
Air-conditioned
Smoke-free

Not available at this property

Breakfast
Parking
Pool
Pet-friendly
Restaurant
Airport shuttle
Fitness center
Verified guest reviews

What recent guests are actually saying

Reviews from travelers who stayed here in the last 12 months, grouped to help you spot the pattern quickly.

PR
Pauline Richmond Apr 20, 2026
10

We stayed at The Drey Hotel London over New Year's Eve and was really impressed. The room was simplicity at its best, clean, modern, and thoughtfully designed, with everything you need and nothing unnecessary. The staff were efficient, friendly, and welcoming throughout our stay, even during the busy holiday period. The location is excellent and works perfectly no matter what plans have been arranged, from sightseeing, dining or night life they are all easily accessible. We will be visiting London again in a few months time, and look forward to staying at The Drey again!!

LO
Lola Odufuye Apr 13, 2026
8.0

The hotel is very well located and 4 minutes walk from Earls Ct tube station. The staff were very courteous. Exceptionally clean rooms. Would have given them 5 stars but for the issues below.... 1. There needs to be foldable luggage stands in the rooms 2. How water doesn't work properly. Woke up at 6 am for the airport and there was no hot water. Otherwise a lovely hotel

EC
ebrahim ceesay Mar 22, 2026
10

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent stay in a great location! I had a wonderful stay at The Drey in London. The hotel has a modern, stylish design and a very welcoming, relaxed atmosphere. The location is excellent — just a short walk from Earl’s Court Underground station, making it easy to get around the city. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés, and shops nearby, as well as beautiful streets to explore. The room was clean, comfortable, and thoughtfully designed. The bed was very comfortable, and I really appreciated the small details like the coffee machine and high-quality toiletries. Everything felt fresh and well maintained. The staff were friendly and helpful throughout my stay, and both check-in and check-out were quick and smooth. Overall, The Drey offers great value for money in a lovely part of London. I would definitely recommend this hotel and would happily stay here again!

EZ
E. Z. Feb 28, 2026
10

When we booked it, we didn’t know what to expect since it is newly opened with no reviews of previous visitors. But the hotel exceeded all of our expectations. Staff was very helpful and very nice. We arrived earlier than the check in time of 15.00 but we were able to store our luggage and explore the city! We had one (late) evening there was no warm water unfortunately, so we couldn’t shower. We asked the staff and they told us we had to run the water for at least 40 minutes (new hotel). I think this is because the water had to warm up again in the boiler. We did run the water for a while, but still no warm water… so unfortunately we were not able to shower that night. In total we stayed 4 nights and the other night, the warm water was working fine. Aside from that one occasion our stay was very pleasant! Moreover the location (earls court) is amazing and the toiletries smell very luxurious.

MW
Morgan Whaley Feb 25, 2026
10

I stayed here early December (so they had only been open two weeks) and had a great experience! The room was cozy and clean, perfect for sleeping. The bedding was very comfortable. The room size is small but perfect for someone who is planning on spending most of their day in London outside. Location was perfect! So close to the Earl's Court Station and I felt very safe. Neighborhood has loads of shops and stores for any needs. Nothing felt far, which is great. The staff here is AWESOME!!! They all were so friendly and helpful. They allowed me to store luggage when I arrived. They were very prompt in responding to request on the website/app they use. You can tell they really care about providing a good experience to guest. I would stay here again and would also recommend it to others looking for accommodations when in London. Excited to see them grow and perfect their systems.

AM
Ajna Muherina Feb 15, 2026
10

My stay at The Dray was truly exceptional. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by the elegant design and welcoming atmosphere. The hotel blends modern style with comfort in a way that feels both luxurious and relaxing. The rooms are spacious, beautifully decorated, and impeccably clean. The beds are extremely comfortable, and every detail — from the lighting to the amenities — feels thoughtfully chosen to create a perfect stay. The staff are outstanding: friendly, professional, and always attentive without being intrusive. They genuinely care about their guests and go the extra mile to ensure everything is perfect. Overall, The Dray delivers a first-class experience in every way. I would highly recommend it and look forward to staying there again.

AV
Anastasiia Venza Feb 05, 2026
10

We really enjoyed our stay at The Drey. We were able to change rooms three times because our plans changed. The first room was the most comfortable and beautiful, with high ceilings, a large room, and a wonderful view from the window. The other rooms were much smaller. One didn't have a TV, and another, even smaller, didn't have a window, which was the hardest part for me because I couldn't breathe. Overall, the hotel is wonderful, with new rooms and excellent service. The staff is truly great and really tries to please and help customers. The location is excellent, the rooms need some work and a check to make sure everything is done. Thanks to every employee of this hotel, I only remember two employees by name: Elizaveta and Theo.Thanks guys

KH
Katy Harker Jan 22, 2026
8.0

The rooms of this hotel are really lovely, recently done up to a high standard. The staff were really attentive and went out of their way to give us a good stay, especially Theo. The issues we experienced were that there had been a fire alarm which had caused issues with the system and things were still getting back online, e.g. water was only luke warm. The other issue was in the design of the room - no table, chair or anywhere to put your case, which made staying pretty tricky. Also no kettle or tea bags, only a coffee machine, which I see as a hotel essential.

Location & neighborhood

Where you'll find The Drey

London, United Kingdom

Lively area with music at the Troubadour coffee house, pubs on Earls Court Road & many gardens.

  • Bond Street 1 hr 5 Walk
  • Tottenham Court Road 1 hr 20 Walk
  • Earl's Court 6 min Walk
  • Heathrow Airport 31 min Car · 42 min Transit
  • London Gatwick Airport 1 hr 10 Car · 1 hr 8 Transit
  • London Stansted Airport 1 hr 23 Car · 1 hr 36 Transit
Things to do nearby

Worth the walk or a quick ride

Curated spots travelers usually pair with a stay in London. Distances are rough real-world times, not straight-line.

Natural History Museum 34,885 reviews

Natural History Museum

Cromwell Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom

4.6 · Natural History Museum
Victoria and Albert Museum 66,752 reviews

Victoria and Albert Museum

Cromwell Rd, London SW7 2RL, United Kingdom

4.8 · Art Museum
Science Museum 75,141 reviews

Science Museum

Exhibition Rd, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD, United Kingdom

4.6 · Museum
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