The Andaz Liverpool Street is a high-end hotel awash with Victorian elegance and chic 21st-century design. It is set right next to one of London's busiest train terminals, putting it within easy reach of the city center and the hipster hangouts of East London. While room decor can feel underwhelming, all have good tech and some feature original artworks. Outstanding dining options certainly impress, however if lack of a pool or spa facilities are an issue, check out the equally upscale -- though less hip -- Langham Hotel.
The Andaz Liverpool Street is a high-end hotel awash with Victorian elegance and chic 21st-century design. It is set right next to one of London's busiest train terminals, putting it within easy reach of the city center and the hipster hangouts of East London. While room decor can feel underwhelming, all have good tech and some feature original artworks. Outstanding dining options certainly impress, however if lack of a pool or spa facilities are an issue, check out the equally upscale -- though less hip -- Langham Hotel.
The 100-room Queens Park Hotel is a lower-middle-range option in charming Bayswater, right by Kensington Gardens. It's conveniently near the tube stations of both Queensway and Bayswater, plus just minutes from Hyde Park. Decor is bland in common areas and a bit dated in rooms, but the latter have all the essentials, including flat-screen TVs, work desks, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Breakfast is included in most rates but its quality receives mixed reviews and many past guests have complained of it being chaotic in the dining area. Also note that Wi-Fi signal varies and the hotel is only partly air-conditioned, although most rooms have fans. For a more stylish alternative that also has a bar, compare prices with the Stylotel.
The 100-room Queens Park Hotel is a lower-middle-range option in charming Bayswater, right by Kensington Gardens. It's conveniently near the tube stations of both Queensway and Bayswater, plus just minutes from Hyde Park. Decor is bland in common areas and a bit dated in rooms, but the latter have all the essentials, including flat-screen TVs, work desks, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Breakfast is included in most rates but its quality receives mixed reviews and many past guests have complained of it being chaotic in the dining area. Also note that Wi-Fi signal varies and the hotel is only partly air-conditioned, although most rooms have fans. For a more stylish alternative that also has a bar, compare prices with the Stylotel.
The Generator Hostel represents a new type of high-end hostelling with a real emphasis on creating a fun, chilled-out atmosphere conducive to interaction between guests. It's a good choice for both young solo travelers and groups, offering dorms for up to 12 people and private rooms, though some are cramped. The cafe, bar, and cinema room are all great spaces to relax, and the hostel's event program is a nice touch. While it's not perfect, or the cheapest hostel in the capital, there are few with as good a central London location that promise such a snazzy vibe.
The Generator Hostel represents a new type of high-end hostelling with a real emphasis on creating a fun, chilled-out atmosphere conducive to interaction between guests. It's a good choice for both young solo travelers and groups, offering dorms for up to 12 people and private rooms, though some are cramped. The cafe, bar, and cinema room are all great spaces to relax, and the hostel's event program is a nice touch. While it's not perfect, or the cheapest hostel in the capital, there are few with as good a central London location that promise such a snazzy vibe.
Travelers on tight budgets who want to stay in central London will find The Pride of Paddington -- a dormitory-style, five-room hostel -- a decent option, albeit with a few caveats. Rooms can be noisy, and only one of the rooms has its own bathroom, while the others have bunk beds and a shared bathroom. The interiors, cheerful and basic, could do with a bit of cleaning and repainting. A full English breakfast is served for free, and guests receive discounts for other meals and drinks at the on-site pub. Travelers looking for hostel accommodations with a more fashion-forward look could try the Generator Hostel London or Clink78 Hostel, both of which have private rooms too.
Travelers on tight budgets who want to stay in central London will find The Pride of Paddington -- a dormitory-style, five-room hostel -- a decent option, albeit with a few caveats. Rooms can be noisy, and only one of the rooms has its own bathroom, while the others have bunk beds and a shared bathroom. The interiors, cheerful and basic, could do with a bit of cleaning and repainting. A full English breakfast is served for free, and guests receive discounts for other meals and drinks at the on-site pub. Travelers looking for hostel accommodations with a more fashion-forward look could try the Generator Hostel London or Clink78 Hostel, both of which have private rooms too.
Rafayel on the Left Bank advertises itself as five-star hotel on the shores of the Thames River in Southwest London. With modern rooms and public spaces it's a stylistic success, and offers plenty of nice views to enjoy -- especially in the outdoor Japanese garden. It's a relatively difficult hotel to get to by foot or public transport, however, and its location in the industrial neighborhood of of Clapham Common and Battersea is devoid of much life, especially in the evenings. With that said the hotel is quite self-sufficient, with fine dining, a gym, a spa, and a cigar lounge, but guests hoping to sightsee or enjoy nightlife may be disappointed by its supreme isolation in an rather undeveloped part of town.
Rafayel on the Left Bank advertises itself as five-star hotel on the shores of the Thames River in Southwest London. With modern rooms and public spaces it's a stylistic success, and offers plenty of nice views to enjoy -- especially in the outdoor Japanese garden. It's a relatively difficult hotel to get to by foot or public transport, however, and its location in the industrial neighborhood of of Clapham Common and Battersea is devoid of much life, especially in the evenings. With that said the hotel is quite self-sufficient, with fine dining, a gym, a spa, and a cigar lounge, but guests hoping to sightsee or enjoy nightlife may be disappointed by its supreme isolation in an rather undeveloped part of town.
Clean, quiet, and well-located are the top three selling points of the mid-range Premier Inn London St Pancras Hotel. The King’s Cross/St Pancras and Euston underground stations are both within brief walks. Its 266 rooms are clean and generously sized, and come with comfortable beds, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Given the busy street outside, it’s surprisingly quiet in the rooms and lobby. Amenities are somewhat limited, but there's a decent restaurant and bar that serves comfort foods like burgers, pizzas, and steaks. A morning breakfast buffet is available for an extra fee. As an alternative, the lower-middle-range Alhambra Hotel has lower rates and includes a hearty, home-cooked breakfast.
Clean, quiet, and well-located are the top three selling points of the mid-range Premier Inn London St Pancras Hotel. The King’s Cross/St Pancras and Euston underground stations are both within brief walks. Its 266 rooms are clean and generously sized, and come with comfortable beds, coffeemakers, and free Wi-Fi. Given the busy street outside, it’s surprisingly quiet in the rooms and lobby. Amenities are somewhat limited, but there's a decent restaurant and bar that serves comfort foods like burgers, pizzas, and steaks. A morning breakfast buffet is available for an extra fee. As an alternative, the lower-middle-range Alhambra Hotel has lower rates and includes a hearty, home-cooked breakfast.
The mid-range Park Plaza Victoria London is a three-minute walk to Victoria Station, and is about a 10-minute walk to Buckingham Palace, making it a convenient choice for tourists and business travelers. Its 299 rooms include Executive Rooms, Studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens, but room decor is less spiffy than in the public areas. Two restaurants stay open throughout the day, and room service operates 24/7. A well-equipped fitness center comes with a range of cardio- and weight-training equipment, plus a sauna, steam room, and spa. There's an Executive Lounge and a business center, but neither are open every day. Free Wi-Fi and function rooms for up to 750 people make the Park Plaza Victoria a popular choice for conference-goers. A more stylish option could be the business-friendly Amba Hotel Charing Cross, though rates can be higher.
The mid-range Park Plaza Victoria London is a three-minute walk to Victoria Station, and is about a 10-minute walk to Buckingham Palace, making it a convenient choice for tourists and business travelers. Its 299 rooms include Executive Rooms, Studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments with full kitchens, but room decor is less spiffy than in the public areas. Two restaurants stay open throughout the day, and room service operates 24/7. A well-equipped fitness center comes with a range of cardio- and weight-training equipment, plus a sauna, steam room, and spa. There's an Executive Lounge and a business center, but neither are open every day. Free Wi-Fi and function rooms for up to 750 people make the Park Plaza Victoria a popular choice for conference-goers. A more stylish option could be the business-friendly Amba Hotel Charing Cross, though rates can be higher.
This charming mid-range five-room inn offers a homey experience in a tranquil, residential London neighborhood that's within easy reach of the city center. A classic and cozy pub occupies the ground floor, attracting locals and guests alike with its inviting atmosphere and tasty menu of pub classics. Two resident dogs mill about the wood-furnished space, which also offers outside seating at picnic tables. Rooms, which include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, are a bit snug but are elegantly furnished with contemporary wooden pieces, and include such decorative elements as striped accent walls. For something in a more central location with an equally homey atmosphere and on-site pub, travelers might want to check out the Mad Hatter Hotel.
This charming mid-range five-room inn offers a homey experience in a tranquil, residential London neighborhood that's within easy reach of the city center. A classic and cozy pub occupies the ground floor, attracting locals and guests alike with its inviting atmosphere and tasty menu of pub classics. Two resident dogs mill about the wood-furnished space, which also offers outside seating at picnic tables. Rooms, which include flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, are a bit snug but are elegantly furnished with contemporary wooden pieces, and include such decorative elements as striped accent walls. For something in a more central location with an equally homey atmosphere and on-site pub, travelers might want to check out the Mad Hatter Hotel.
For a quick place to crash in a premier central West London location, this hotel is tolerable if you can get a deal. The hotel is showing serious wear and tear, and since the hotel advertises itself as a 4-star, rather than a budget, property, many guests walk away disappointed. Amenities are few: There's a business center and room service for breakfast, but little else. Prices are usually very inflated for what you get -- guests are better off spending their money elsewhere.
For a quick place to crash in a premier central West London location, this hotel is tolerable if you can get a deal. The hotel is showing serious wear and tear, and since the hotel advertises itself as a 4-star, rather than a budget, property, many guests walk away disappointed. Amenities are few: There's a business center and room service for breakfast, but little else. Prices are usually very inflated for what you get -- guests are better off spending their money elsewhere.
The Ashburn Hotel is a cozy, modest boutique option on a quiet side street in Kensington. The 38 rooms represent the historic character of this 19th century townhouse with period details such as sculpted ceilings. Decor is on the traditional side, but rooms have modern features with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Details bring extra comfort to the somewhat small rooms, such as plush reading chairs and electric kettles. Personal touches are a highlight here, including a surprise nightly turndown gift, free evening champagne, and option for having breakfast in bed. Other draws are the spacious drawing room and bar and a location near transport.
The Ashburn Hotel is a cozy, modest boutique option on a quiet side street in Kensington. The 38 rooms represent the historic character of this 19th century townhouse with period details such as sculpted ceilings. Decor is on the traditional side, but rooms have modern features with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. Details bring extra comfort to the somewhat small rooms, such as plush reading chairs and electric kettles. Personal touches are a highlight here, including a surprise nightly turndown gift, free evening champagne, and option for having breakfast in bed. Other draws are the spacious drawing room and bar and a location near transport.