The Town Hall Hotel and Apartments is located in London's artsy East End. Striking design mixes Edwardian influences with 1930s art deco style and contemporary touches. This hotel first opened as a town hall in 1910 and many of the rooms, studios, and apartments have original period details. All rooms have free Wi-Fi and iPod docks. Bathrooms are especially luxurious, most with soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers. Vintage furniture and modern kitchens make these loft-style rooms both functional and inviting. Hotel amenities include a nice indoor pool, a fitness room, and a stylish restaurant. While some guests might feel that the location is isolated from London's top attractions, the Town Hall Hotel offers great value for money in a hip neighborhood.
The Town Hall Hotel and Apartments is located in London's artsy East End. Striking design mixes Edwardian influences with 1930s art deco style and contemporary touches. This hotel first opened as a town hall in 1910 and many of the rooms, studios, and apartments have original period details. All rooms have free Wi-Fi and iPod docks. Bathrooms are especially luxurious, most with soaking tubs and separate walk-in showers. Vintage furniture and modern kitchens make these loft-style rooms both functional and inviting. Hotel amenities include a nice indoor pool, a fitness room, and a stylish restaurant. While some guests might feel that the location is isolated from London's top attractions, the Town Hall Hotel offers great value for money in a hip neighborhood.
Spread across several townhouses, the mid-range Z at Gloucester Place offers a straightforward, affordable home base near many tourist attractions. The streets are surrounded by plenty of bars and eateries, too. On the downside, guests with rooms that aren't in the main building must trek down the street to reception and the hotel's 24-hour cafe. Its 114 contemporary rooms share a tidy, monochromatic look of white, black, and gray furnishings. However, they're compact, some lack windows, and the bathrooms are tiny -- even by London standards. Still, these rates are hard to beat in this location, and a free wine and cheese happy hour gives more incentive to book. Just don't expect a full restaurant or a free breakfast. For similar rates and amenities in an even more prime location, check out The Z Hotel Piccadilly.
Spread across several townhouses, the mid-range Z at Gloucester Place offers a straightforward, affordable home base near many tourist attractions. The streets are surrounded by plenty of bars and eateries, too. On the downside, guests with rooms that aren't in the main building must trek down the street to reception and the hotel's 24-hour cafe. Its 114 contemporary rooms share a tidy, monochromatic look of white, black, and gray furnishings. However, they're compact, some lack windows, and the bathrooms are tiny -- even by London standards. Still, these rates are hard to beat in this location, and a free wine and cheese happy hour gives more incentive to book. Just don't expect a full restaurant or a free breakfast. For similar rates and amenities in an even more prime location, check out The Z Hotel Piccadilly.
The 13-room Castletown House is a mid-range collection of serviced apartments -- ranging from Studios to three-bedroom units -- in a historic Victorian building that’s within a two-minute walk of the West Kensington tube station, and close to supermarkets, restaurants, and shops. Traditional yet up-to-date rooms come with small, equipped kitchens, washer/dryers and iPod docks in some units, and lovely tan tile bathrooms, although not all have bathtubs. Some units have dishwashers, contemporary fireplaces, desktop computers, and outdoor balconies or patios with gardens. Be aware that the units are not air-conditioned, and guests have complained about dust. And there is no elevator. A business center with a computer is available, plus free coffee, tea, and Wi-Fi. Some rooms have minimum-stay requirements, and the front-desk hours are limited.
The 13-room Castletown House is a mid-range collection of serviced apartments -- ranging from Studios to three-bedroom units -- in a historic Victorian building that’s within a two-minute walk of the West Kensington tube station, and close to supermarkets, restaurants, and shops. Traditional yet up-to-date rooms come with small, equipped kitchens, washer/dryers and iPod docks in some units, and lovely tan tile bathrooms, although not all have bathtubs. Some units have dishwashers, contemporary fireplaces, desktop computers, and outdoor balconies or patios with gardens. Be aware that the units are not air-conditioned, and guests have complained about dust. And there is no elevator. A business center with a computer is available, plus free coffee, tea, and Wi-Fi. Some rooms have minimum-stay requirements, and the front-desk hours are limited.
Located in fashionable Clerkenwell, the four-pearl Zetter Hotel occupies a converted Victorian warehouse situated next to historic St. John's Square. The boutique property's 59 rooms are a contemporary mix of funky retro and modish decor and have minibars, flat-screen TVs, and bathrooms with high-end toiletries. Rooftop studios add Nespresso machines and private decks with views. Hotel freebies include Wi-Fi throughout, coffee and tea on every floor, and use of Brompton bikes. While the hotel's neighborhood has hip restaurants and bars and a central tube stop, the area can empty out on weekends, and it's far from tourist sights. Travelers looking to be closer to the sights and the action could consider The Montague on the Gardens in nearby Bloomsbury.
Located in fashionable Clerkenwell, the four-pearl Zetter Hotel occupies a converted Victorian warehouse situated next to historic St. John's Square. The boutique property's 59 rooms are a contemporary mix of funky retro and modish decor and have minibars, flat-screen TVs, and bathrooms with high-end toiletries. Rooftop studios add Nespresso machines and private decks with views. Hotel freebies include Wi-Fi throughout, coffee and tea on every floor, and use of Brompton bikes. While the hotel's neighborhood has hip restaurants and bars and a central tube stop, the area can empty out on weekends, and it's far from tourist sights. Travelers looking to be closer to the sights and the action could consider The Montague on the Gardens in nearby Bloomsbury.
The Smart Hyde Park Inn Hostel caters to a younger crowd of budget travelers who are comfortable with cramped spaces and a bit of grime. The budget property is located in Bayswater, close to Kensington Palace, public transportation, and dining options. The 33 rooms include private and tiny dorm-style rooms with up to 20 bunk beds, and lockers are available for a fee. Many rooms have small en-suite bathrooms, though there are also shared bathrooms. Amenities are limited to a public kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and vending machines, plus a free but basic breakfast. SoHostel is a good alternative and has more on-site amenities, clean rooms, and free luggage storage.
The Smart Hyde Park Inn Hostel caters to a younger crowd of budget travelers who are comfortable with cramped spaces and a bit of grime. The budget property is located in Bayswater, close to Kensington Palace, public transportation, and dining options. The 33 rooms include private and tiny dorm-style rooms with up to 20 bunk beds, and lockers are available for a fee. Many rooms have small en-suite bathrooms, though there are also shared bathrooms. Amenities are limited to a public kitchen, free Wi-Fi, and vending machines, plus a free but basic breakfast. SoHostel is a good alternative and has more on-site amenities, clean rooms, and free luggage storage.
The St James' Court is a 338-room upscale property with ornate architecture and a royal past, once hosting guests of nearby Buckingham Palace. With a stunning Shakespearean courtyard, this hotel maintains a regal air and offers rooms and suites with either a cozy English or sleek, modern style. There are lovely boardrooms for business travelers, as well as highly regarded restaurants and bars, including one devoted to champagne. However, some guests have reported minor maintenance issues. Business travelers seeking a convenient location, but a more relaxed atmosphere, may want to compare rates and features at the Ambassadors Bloomsbury.
The St James' Court is a 338-room upscale property with ornate architecture and a royal past, once hosting guests of nearby Buckingham Palace. With a stunning Shakespearean courtyard, this hotel maintains a regal air and offers rooms and suites with either a cozy English or sleek, modern style. There are lovely boardrooms for business travelers, as well as highly regarded restaurants and bars, including one devoted to champagne. However, some guests have reported minor maintenance issues. Business travelers seeking a convenient location, but a more relaxed atmosphere, may want to compare rates and features at the Ambassadors Bloomsbury.
The basic, two-pearl European Hotel has 81 rooms and has been run by the same family for over 30 years. It’s a budget and family-friendly property that's a three-minute walk from St. Pancras Station, which is ideal for anyone traveling by train, tube, or Eurostar. There is free Wi-Fi, an electric kettle, and a flat-screen TV in every room, though some of the cheapest rooms share a bathroom and all rooms are simple and outdated. A good cooked breakfast is included in the room rate. Tune Hotel Kings Cross offers similar no-frills lodging, but with far more style, though rooms will be more expensive.
The basic, two-pearl European Hotel has 81 rooms and has been run by the same family for over 30 years. It’s a budget and family-friendly property that's a three-minute walk from St. Pancras Station, which is ideal for anyone traveling by train, tube, or Eurostar. There is free Wi-Fi, an electric kettle, and a flat-screen TV in every room, though some of the cheapest rooms share a bathroom and all rooms are simple and outdated. A good cooked breakfast is included in the room rate. Tune Hotel Kings Cross offers similar no-frills lodging, but with far more style, though rooms will be more expensive.
For a reasonably priced four-pearl hotel with panache, you'll be hard pressed to find accommodations that beat The Hoxton, Holborn. The 174-room property is stylish from top to bottom, and brims with ladies and gents smartly dressed for work and play. Rooms are a tight squeeze but are cleverly arranged to minimize feeling cramped, and come with flat-screen TVs, retro radios and nicknacks, and bespoke bath products, although they lack minibars. There's a happening lobby restaurant, bar, and cafe but the hotel doesn't have a gym or spa. The location is two blocks from the tube and a six-minute walk from the British Museum. For the same rate, travelers with kids in-tow may be more comfortable at The Montague on the Gardens a few blocks away.
For a reasonably priced four-pearl hotel with panache, you'll be hard pressed to find accommodations that beat The Hoxton, Holborn. The 174-room property is stylish from top to bottom, and brims with ladies and gents smartly dressed for work and play. Rooms are a tight squeeze but are cleverly arranged to minimize feeling cramped, and come with flat-screen TVs, retro radios and nicknacks, and bespoke bath products, although they lack minibars. There's a happening lobby restaurant, bar, and cafe but the hotel doesn't have a gym or spa. The location is two blocks from the tube and a six-minute walk from the British Museum. For the same rate, travelers with kids in-tow may be more comfortable at The Montague on the Gardens a few blocks away.
The 260-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London ExCeL is a business-oriented property in an industrial area right across from the exhibition center and close to London City Airport. Common areas are attractive and contemporary and include a lobby bar with a homey lounge and an airy restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows. Rooms and suites are comfortable and spacious, with somewhat generic but contemporary decor and amenities like LCD TVs and free Wi-Fi, though mini-fridges aren't standard. The fitness center is tiny, and there are no other wellness facilities. Those looking for splashier decor and more amenities may prefer the Aloft London Excel. It offers a pool and bigger fitness center, plus it's directly attached to the ExCeL conference center.
The 260-room DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London ExCeL is a business-oriented property in an industrial area right across from the exhibition center and close to London City Airport. Common areas are attractive and contemporary and include a lobby bar with a homey lounge and an airy restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows. Rooms and suites are comfortable and spacious, with somewhat generic but contemporary decor and amenities like LCD TVs and free Wi-Fi, though mini-fridges aren't standard. The fitness center is tiny, and there are no other wellness facilities. Those looking for splashier decor and more amenities may prefer the Aloft London Excel. It offers a pool and bigger fitness center, plus it's directly attached to the ExCeL conference center.
The 48-room Mayflower Hotel & Apartments is an upper-middle-range boutique located on the west side of central London in easy walking distance to restaurants and shops. This hotel is also directly behind the Earl's Court tube station, making it particularly convenient for transit -- guests can reach most London hotspots in 30 minutes or less. In addition to the small and tasteful rooms in the main building, there's a separate building with one- and two-bedroom apartments. Rooms have wood floors, hand-carved headboards, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and marble bathrooms, but there's no air-conditioning and rooms facing the train station can be noisy. The nearby Amsterdam Hotel is a similar property, with more muted decor and in-room air-conditioning.
The 48-room Mayflower Hotel & Apartments is an upper-middle-range boutique located on the west side of central London in easy walking distance to restaurants and shops. This hotel is also directly behind the Earl's Court tube station, making it particularly convenient for transit -- guests can reach most London hotspots in 30 minutes or less. In addition to the small and tasteful rooms in the main building, there's a separate building with one- and two-bedroom apartments. Rooms have wood floors, hand-carved headboards, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and marble bathrooms, but there's no air-conditioning and rooms facing the train station can be noisy. The nearby Amsterdam Hotel is a similar property, with more muted decor and in-room air-conditioning.