London Hotel Tips by Elainehead

Seven Dials Hotel: Tiny but very central clean hotel Seven Dials Hotel Review

It's all about the location and the cleanliness of the hotel.

Our double en-suite room (£ 85) was on the last floor (4 flights of stairs). It was a real challenge to go upstairs with our luggage. I was aware of the lack of an elevator, but I haven't realized how narrow would be the stairway. At first, my husband was put off by the size of the room, but relaxed later with the cleanliness of the place and how close it was from Denmark Street (2 blocks). The breakfast was very basic (English buffet: beans, sausage, eggs, tomatoes or just jam/butter [only salted] and toasts [white or brown]- drinks: coffee, tea, hot chocolate (if requested), orange juice), cereals (Corn Flakes). Monday to Saturday breakfast is served from 7 AM to 9h30 AM and on Sundays from 8 AM to 10 AM (if I'm not mistaken).

Positive points: Clean, central location, free English breakfast.

Negative points: The low water pressure in the shower, sudden change of water temperature was annoying and I was a bit disappointed with the lack of a window in the bathroom. If I come again and decide to stay here, I wouldn't stay on the top floor, because that's where the basic rooms (i.e., shower and WC are outside) are, so our room was beside the toilet... Yeah, we would hear everything... There was also a noise coming from upstairs that would only stop in the middle of the night and restart in the mornings. The view from our room window was depressing (back of a building, pigeons drinking dripping water from gutters).

If you fit in one (or all) of the following, the hotel isn't for you:

a) carry lots of luggage (*tiny rooms, narrow stairway, no elevator)
b) is claustrophobic (*)
c) is very obese (*)
d) is very tall (*)
e) is not fit and got no strong legs (narrow stairway, no elevator)
f) if you're coming in the summer (there is no a/c)

Unique Qualities: Clean rooms/bathroom, Free English breakfast, hairdryer and tea/coffee facilieties, but most of all the central location.

Address: 7 Monmouth Street, London, England, WC2H 9DA, United Kingdom

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Nearest tube station: Tottenham Court Road or Covent Garden or Leicester Square.

Other Contact: info@sevendialshotel.co.uk

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7681 0791

Price: US$40-80

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.sevendialshotellondon.com/index.htm

Country Inn & Suites By Carlson London-Bloomsbury: Central location near everything! Country Inn Suites Bloomsbury Review

Central location near everything: public transportation, theaters, shops (Oxford Street, Soho), restaurants, British Museum, Astoria, Mean Fiddler, etc. If you like walking you won't even need to make use of the tube to visit the main city attractions.

We had a double room for a total of 82,5 pounds (breakfast included) per night that we booked via their own site. It was room n° 407 on the fourth floor (only five floors). The room was simple and tiny but cozy and clean. The bed was small, so not recommended if you are too overweight and/or tall (over 1m80).

If you decide to sleep near the heater, watch out the bedside table! Every time I had to stand up or wake up, I would hit my right elbow against it. The only way I found to avoid this was putting an extra pillow between me and the bedside table. Room amenities: TV (only 9 free channels, I think), iron and ironing board (inside the closet), old hair dryer (inside a drawer), Coffee/Tea Maker, liquid soap in the bathroom. I was really glad there was a window in the bathroom. If you bring any electrical appliance, don't forget to bring a plug adaptor and maybe an electricity converter. If you want to turn on the lights (either in the room or bathroom), be sure that the master switch is on (the switch button beside the door). Breakfast: either continental or English one. I tried both, but I prefered the continental one. They would bring you toasts, assortment of bread and propose you a hot drink (tea/coffee but if you ask, they can get you hot chocolate), orange juice (freshly squeezed) and cereals. On each table, you will find jams, honey and butter. The hotel staff? At least the ones at the breakfast room were smiley and courteous, the front desk ones were more like just doing their jobs.

If you know the American goth-metal band called My Chemical Romance, they were also staying here. They were playing at the Astoria just the night before. I don't know how they managed to put all their music equipment on their hotel rooms!!!

Unique Qualities: The hotel location was excellent, so I would surely stay here again.

Address: 110 Great Russell Street, London, England WC1B

Comparison: about average

Directions: Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road (Exit 3)

Other Contact: reservations@countryinnsbloomsbu

Phone: (2074) 361142

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.countryinns.com

Dolphin Square Hotel: Looking 4 a home-like feeling & spacious room? Dolphin House Hotel Review

Dolphin Square Hotel is a 4-star with a 24-hour front desk, near Pimlico tube, safe and calm area, had good reviews on tripadvisor and their rooms seemed spacious from pics. I didn't book via their website cuz it wasn't secure. Booked it via laterooms site with this same hotel offer: a "run of the house" available at the check-in (75 £ VAT included).

Our room was n° 211, on the second floor, facing the front street. To our surprise it was actually a studio with a kitchenette, spacious bedroom (queen size bed, very comfortable), good-sized bathroom (equiped with shower/bath, hair drier, soap, shower/bath gel and body balm) with direct sunlight. Problem: bathroom and bedroom were a bit cold even with the heating on. Extra blankets and pillows on the closet. Do not move much around when showering because water might splash everywhere.

There's a shopping arcade in the hotel, with a small market, grocery store, hairdresser, souvenir shop. After getting back to the hotel from a concert (had no problems even though walking in not well-lit dark streets), we made use of the room service. We both ordered penne pasta with sundried tomatoes and pesto. It was very good! I think the dish was about 9 £. Expensive, I know, but my hubby was too tired to get out to have dinner.

Also a health and fitness spa in the hotel.

If you need other pics from our studio, e-mail me.

Unique Qualities: Equipped and clean studio, safe area, near the tube.

*****************************

The room rates in this hotel is usually expensive (between 200-300 £). I found a great last-minute rate (75 £ VAT included). I'm just coming back here ONLY if I found again a very good low-rate.

Address: Dolphin Square, , London SW1V 3LX

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: The hotel is about 2 1/2 blocks from the Pimlico tube. Mostly residential area, almost deserted even during the day.

Nearest tube: Pimlico (Victoria Line).

Tube exit: South (it's the exit on your right).

Phone: 20 7834 3800 / Res 20 7798 8890

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.dolphinsquarehotel.co.uk

St. Giles Hotel: Well located 3-star hotel St Giles Hotel Review

I chose this hotel because of its location and also because a VT user reviewed this place. I wasn't expecting much after seeing the photos on the hotel's web site.
I was actually impressed when I got there. I was so tired of walking and also lacking sleep, I didn't notice the reception was "upstairs" (flight of stairs), then someone from the staff asked me if I was checking in, I was out of breath but I succeeded to mumble "yes". He helped with my luggage and showed me the reception desk.
I got the double room n° 405 (non-smoking). Everything seemed fine on the 4th floor, after leaving the elevator to go to my room, I had to pass one door that led to a dusty corridor... I thought my room would be a horror, but no, my room was okay. And very different from the photo. It was considerably big and there was a lot of light (no window curtains, just blinds). My room view was Tottenham Court Road and a bit of Bedford Avenue. Even though it was a double-glazing window, I could still hear some street noise, but I was so tired that I didn't have any sleep problems. The room was pretty basic and clean. The bathroom was okay and small, with a shower and there was even liquid soap in the shower, but it gave me an allergy in my hand.
Too bad there wasn't a minibar, otherwise my staying would have been perfect!
After checking out the hotel, if your flight is at the end of the day, you can let your luggage at the hotel. They provide luggage storage for FREE!!
I paid £ 79 for the night (VAT included). I booked it without giving a credit card number through the HRS (www.hrs.de) site.

Unique Qualities: Location (West End and near the Tottenham Court Road tube) and nice staff.

Address: Bedford Avenue, London WC1B 3AS

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Nearest tube: Tottenham Court Road

Also close to bus stops. On the way back to Gatwick airport, I took a bus to Victoria Station and then the train, just to avoid the tube station stairs and crowd.

Phone: 0 20 7300 3000

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.stgiles.com/londonhotel/london_hotel_rooms.html

Holiday Inn London-Camden Lock: Nicest hotel room I have ever stayed Holiday Inn London-Camden Lock Review

I chose this hotel for its location, then I found a good price (for its 4-star category. We paid £ 80/night VAT included) using the Hotel Reservation Service (HRS) site. Besides, on the HRS site, I could book my room without giving my credit card number.
The hotel is located in Camden Town.
Our standard room was # 108 (non-smoking, 1st floor) viewing the side and part of the back of Viacom building, and a bit of Regents Park Canal . It was a small double-bed room very well-equipped and very clean. More facilities info at: http://www.holidayinncamden.co.uk/accomodation.html
The bathroom was a bit small (if you want a photo of it, e-mail me). No need to bring soap and shampoo. Dove Liquid Soap and Lux Shampoo & Body Soap available.

Unique Qualities: Great location. Great facilities. Very clean room.

Address: 30 Jamestown Road, , London, England NW1 7BY

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Two blocks from the Camden Town Tube Station. There is a Wagamama restaurant (chek my restaurants' tips) just across the hotel.

Phone: 20 7485-4343

Price: US$120-180

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.holidayinncamden.co.uk