CROWN MORAN: "IT HAS A POOL - LONDON" Europe Hotel Tip by DAO

I really like this hotel. Its biggest selling point is that it is the only hotel in its price range in ‘central’ London with a swimming pool. They like to advertise this fact. And it is a nice pool. It also has nice rooms, nice beds, nice staff and a nice bar. The most striking thing about the hotel is the lobby. The hotel is essentially an old building – The Crown combined with a modern building with a modern glass lobby built between the 2. There are lots of chairs, large plants and lots of nice place to sit and have a drink or work in the lobby.

The bar, The Crown, is actually an old Pub. Inside you are greeted by a traditional bar and light fittings that are over 100 years old. They even have a real fireplace. When I stayed there in December there was a roaring fire going. If you want to see a well preserved traditional London Pub – you have arrived. The Crown Pub was completed in 1900 and designed by Architect Henry Rising. It has an interesting red sandstone facade and is 3 stories high. It still has most of the original featurees like moulded ceilings and etched and cut glass. They even have hand-pulled ales behind tha bar.

My room was very good. I had a large bed, it was comfortable and I had a good night’s sleep. It was modern and had all the right things from coffee/tea making facilities to reasonable toiletries. There was a good closet with a small safe, but I had to ask for an iron and ironing board. It had an old, but good desk area that also has a luggage shelf. I also had a small table a chair. The room was a reasonable size. The bathroom was very good. It had a nice square sink, reasonable bathtub, good shower, even a telephone.

The interesting part is the pool. Entry is through a large dressing room with lockers, and they do have a gym. The swimming pool area used to have a Jacuzzi as well. They still have the pool and I had a nice swim. They also have a very hot sauna as well.

I liked the Crown Moran. I had a good meal nearby, some nice drinks in the Crown Pub and a good night’s sleep. The hotel is quiet. The staff are also great and I had plenty of helpful smiles. The only drawback of the Crown Moran is that it is located 10 minutes walk from the nearest Tube station. Other than that, this is an excellent hotel.

Unique Qualities:
* A very good hotel with good beds
* Indoor 12 meter pool and gym
* All rooms have air conditioning
* Traditional Pub
* Free wifi
* In-room tea & coffee making facilities
* In room safe large eneough for a laptop
* Kitchen Restaurant (Upstairs) - International cusine with an award winning Chef
* Kitchen Restaurant (Downstairs) - very elaborate bar food
* Business Conference facilities for 300

Address: Crown Moran Hotel 142-152 Cricklewood Broadway, Cricklewood, London NW2 3ED
Comparison: less expensive than average
Directions:
TUBE:
Willesden Green or Kilburn (Jubilee Line)
NATIONAL RAIL:
Cricklewood
othercontact: crownreservations@moranhotels.co
Phone: +44 (0)20 8452 4175
Price: US$80-120
Theme: Hotel
Website: http://www.crownmoranhotel.com/