London Hotel Tips by nomadig

The hotel and location are wonderful, rooms are big and clean (with hardwood flooring), but the staff weren't really up to their tasks. We had to wait for ten minutes or so to get coffee in the breakfast table and we were promptly ignored a couple of times. Check-out took also almost fifteen minutes.

Unique Qualities: Unlike most London hotels, Sherlock Holmes has fitted sheets -- loved by us Scandinavians. Our room was big and clean, luxury in London.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 108 Baker Street, London, EN W1U
Directions: Near Baker Street tube station

The hotel is conveniently located near Earl's Court tube station, at the edge of Zone 1. The neighbourhoods are very quiet, but it's only five minutes walk to busy high street with shops, restaurants and grocery stores.

The room was not that roomy, but enough for two people. All basic amenities were in place and the towels were fluffy.

Unique Qualities: The hotel is of boutique size, only a few rooms per floor.

The breakfast is excellent, compared to the normal London hotel offerings. And it is served in a sort of winter garden room.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: 20 Nevern Square, Earls Court, London, England SW5
Directions: Near Earl's Court tube station. Take Exhibition exit, turn right at the station, and after hundred or so meters, turn right again to go to the square.
Website: http://www.twentynevernsquare.co.uk/

The hotel lobby is impressive, but unfortunately the splendour does not continue in the rooms -- they are okay, but nothing special.

Coming from Scandinavia, I'd expect to have fitted sheets in places with hefty price tags as in this one. I also asked for a non-smoking room (and got one), but there was still an ashtray in the table and smoky aroma in the room. Fortunately the bed did not smell bad.

Unique Qualities: Location, location, location. The theatre land and Covent Garden are just behind the corner.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: 372 The Strand, London, EN WC2R

The most conveniently located luxury hotel that I've encountered in London is a bit hidden gem. Most people have never heard Courthouse Hotel Kempinski, located on The Great Marlborough Street -- a couple blocks from Oxford Circus tube station and next to Carnaby Street shopping district. This is a shame, as the hotel is very nice five star experience.

We got a decent special rate and spent a few days in the hotel. Our room was spacious, bed comfortable and all required amenities were in place. We missed only the view, as the room windows were towards the inner yard.

The service was excellent, and our infant son got a special treatment everywhere he went. Breakfast was a real treat with a wide selection of food and beverages, including Voss water. The only catch is the price that is steep during normal business days.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 20 7297 5555
Address: 19–21 Great Marlborough Street
Directions: At the northern end of Carnaby Street
Website: www.courthouse-hotel.com

MyHotel Bloomsbury is a small boutique hotel located near Tottenham Court Road tube station. The location couldn't be much better for shopping, as Oxford street and Covent Garden are almost around the corner. The hotel is still surprisingly quiet, as it faces to a small street.

However, the room that I got reminded me of the cheap hotels at Earl's Court; small room, a bit cold and worn from here and there. Usually single rooms in boutique hotels have at least queen bed, but my bed was mere 80cm wide. Fortunately that left some room in the middle of the room. I heard from my colleagues that their room was even smaller than mine -- they had just enough space for a chair in between the bed and the desk. Shame that the cost was more than £100 per night.

The restroom was also cramped and bigger people might strain a limb when entering the shower. Otherwise, the hotel is nice, staff is friendly and the breakfast is good. So, if you are not too claustrophobic, this might be a good place for you in London.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 20 7667 6000
Address: 11-13 Bayley Street, Bedford Square, London WC1B 3
Website: www.myhotels.co.uk

Montagu Place is a charming little (16 rooms) hotel carefully built into an old London townhouse nearby Baker Street and Oxford Street. There is a small bar, breakfast room and a small lounge on the ground floor. Everything revamped to the boot, stylishly and with good workmanship.

There are three types of rooms: comfy, fancy and swanky, in order of size and price. We spent three nights in a fancy room and consider it as one of the best hotel deals ever in London.

The staff is absolutely fabulous; you are treated as a house guest, not yet another hotel visitor.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 20 7467 2777
Address: 2 Montagu Place
Website: www.montagu-place.co.uk

If you have grown tired to the typical London hotels that are a bit run down and sleazy, consider going next time to Radisson Edwardian hotels. One of them is located at the northern end of Tottenham Court Road, just next to Warren Street tube station.

The rooms are well built and decorated, but mine was size of a shoe box. It was enough for one person though and I could easily run my net related errands with their complimentary WLAN. The desk was not huge, but accommodated my laptop and elbows.

The bed was okay -- I've slept in better ones, also in London. The bathroom was small, too, but at least you could open and close the door without hitting anything, including yourself.

I had completed a speedy check-in in the Internet, but had to queue with everyone else. I've experienced much faster check-ins without any self-service involved.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Address: 130 Tottenham Court Road, London, EN W1T
Directions: Next to Warren Street tube station
Website: www.radisson.com

Park Plaza County Hall is a bit hidden gem near London Waterloo station. The newly opened hotel has only suites, and thus is a very good choice for longer accommodation or travelling with children. The location is surprisingly good, as there are several tube lines to central London and the local area has enough restaurants and grocery stores to keep you supplied.

We spent a few nights on a studio suite that had a separate bedroom and living area. The floor plan was quite nice; the bedroom was right after the door, then a walk-through kitchenette and bathroom, and finally the living room with views to Waterloo station.

The bed was nice and firm, good duvets and pillows. The living room had a sofabed that could sleep two children nicely and two adults in a pinch. There is also an ample working space.

The hotel has a wifi connection that costs a few pounds per night, but the signal strength was not that great in our room and Internet access was a tad sluggish.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: +44 20 7021 1800
Address: 1 Addington Street
Website: www.parkplaza.com