Hi,
The most basic difference between staying in King's hall and staying at an intercollegiate hall is that, as the name suggests, there are people from many different unis at the intercollegiates. It is also worth mentioning that from next year on, none of King's halls will be catered - so if you want to go for catered, go for the intercollegiates. At the same time, if you don't want catered, you should consider King's halls (since all intercollegiates are pretty much catered).
Every undergrad intercollegiate hall (except for Nutford) is in Bloomsbury, a very lively and very studenty area of London just next to the British Museum. King’s halls are spread out across London, e.g. there are some close to Guy’s campus, there are some just next to Waterloo campus, there is also one in Hampstead in a beautiful area but far from any King’s campus...King’s halls offer a wider range of facilities (in term of being an apartment or not, having your own kitchen or not, being ensuite or not, etc.) and there is also a wide range of prices.
I live in an intercollegiate hall and I love it! I choose to live in an intercollegiate because I knew I wanted catered (couldn’t cook for myself haha)...It's just an amazing atmosphere, I really enjoy eating with my neighbours every day, and the facilities are great too. There are squash courts in the basement, a pool table, a music room with a piano and a drum set, and we are also allowed to freely use the tennis courts in front of our halls. Occassionally, the hall also organises parties in the common rooms which can be fun. It does cost more than most (if not every) King’s hall, but if you consider that daily breakfast and dinner is included, it kinda equals out! Price was a huge factor to me and that is how I arrived at the decision to stay at the catered intercollegiates, paying more than I would at a King’s hall.
I hope this answered your question
Let me know if you have any further questions...
erklam from KCL
P.s. and the food is not "revolting". It did get better this year, for dinner there is generally a choice of three meals, salad, fruit, some cake for dessert etc. They are also gradually introducing a pasta/salad bar for vegetarians which could also be nice for those who aren't vegetarians
Also, you can leave feedback on comment cards at any time and they do actually listen to what you have to say!