Considering the amount on unintentional damage I did to the room during my stay here, the staff remained friendly and helpful throughout my ordeal of madness. I don't know what my problem was that week, but it seemed I was breaking things every time I turned around. It was like being in the movie, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas". The first thing to go was the porcelain soap dish that was affixed to the wall in the shower. I'd been out having a few pints, turned on the shower, got in, and somehow managed to knock the soap-dish so that it came out of the tiled wall and shattered into 5 pieces on the bottom of the tub. Oops!
I explained to reception the next day what had happened, she eyed me suspiciously, shook her head, and laughed. It was fixed several days later.
On the third day I lit a cigarette, yawned, and stretched. My hand hit the wall and the cigarette flew sending red embers everywhere. Luckily, I managed to prevent a massive blaze and later rubbed most of the burn marks out of the carpet. I decided to apply the "it was like that when I got here" rule to that episode. I'm not even going to get into the spilled beer, coffee, and tea incidents.
This was the smallest hotel room I've ever stayed in. When you opened the door it literally knocked into the nightstand. What didn't make sense was that the bathroom was the same size as the bedroom, if not bigger. The room was clean and comfortable. A little cool at night, but there was spare blankets in the closet. The bed leaned slightly to one side, so it always made me feel as though I was going to accidentally fall out. The bathroom (before I got through with it) was tiled, bright, and clean, with good towels. The shower pressure was fantastic! My only real complaint was that at 9:00 in the mornings, there wasn't a single drop of hot water to be had. I usually showered slightly later to avoid the hypothermic water.
For the price I paid, the damage I did, and the service I received, this hotel was a bargain!
Unique Qualities: I absolutely
loved the location of this hotel on the Strand. It was within easy walking distance of 3 tube stops, Trafalgar Square, Covent Gardens, Piccadilly Circus, Fleet Street, the Temple Church, a large variety of cafes, restaurants, nightclubs, and pubs.
I ordered beer from room service in the middle of a Saturday night and delivery was quick, friendly, and unpresuming. They also had a great and friendly concierge, desk staff, and downstairs bar.
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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120
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Phone: +44 (0)20 7379 4737
Address: 372 Strand, London WC2R
Directions: On the Strand. Easiest tube stop is Embankment or Charings Cross.
Website: http://www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk