Best Western London Highbury

Travelers with business in North London or those wishing to save money by staying at a more remote location will find the Best Western London Highbury a solid bet. Located in a town house that faces Finsbury Park, the hotel's vintage, stucco exterior belies its tidy but occasionally plain-vanilla interior. An exception is the brightly lit reception desk, with its cream-painted wood and gleaming black top. It doubles as a bar; a mirror-backed wall showcases various liquors. Saddle leather sofas and armchairs provide seating by a bay window overlooking the park. The dining room, where breakfast is served, feels like a converted reception space, including the tray ceiling, a chandelier, and green-and-gilt chairs. Color photographs of nature adorn the space, but office-style rectangular tables, overly bright lighting, and a wall-mounted TV detract from any elegance. 

The hotel is located in the Haringey Borough of London, between Finsbury and Manor Park on the east side of Seven Sisters Road, a main thoroughfare that is an extension of Camden Road. There are numerous affordable, eclectic restaurants in the area. The hotel is about 30 minutes from central London by car or the tube. It's a five-minute walk to Manor House Station. Finsbury Park Station, a 10-minute walk away, is the nexus of the National Railroad, London Underground, and two bus stations. The hotel is a 17-minute drive or 19-minute train ride from Camden Market. For football fans, Arsenal's Emirates Stadium is a seven-minute drive or 12-minute train ride away. It's a 31-minute drive or 19-minute train ride to Oxford Street, with its famous shops. London City Airport is a 42-minute drive away, and Heathrow Airport is about an hour's drive away.

Rooms at the Best Western London Highbury are clean and functional without a lot of character. But there is a good flexibility in room size: Single, Twin, Double, Triple, and Family Rooms are offered, even a Two Bedroom Apartment is available. The space can be a bit tight, especially in the Family Rooms where a double bed is flanked by twin beds. Single Room can feel a bit monastic, too, with the bed wedged between the wall and the window and the desk right by the door. All of the rooms have off-white walls, blond wood furniture with open wooden shelving, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, and an alarm clock. The carpeting is either beige or navy with maroon or plum reserved for draperies and throws. Bigger rooms have one or two leather armchairs and a small table. Bathrooms are functional and charmless with pale-beige tile, wall-mounted hairdryers, and stall showers with glass doors. Dove soap is provided via a dispenser. Two nice touches are the chocolate left on the pillow and the proper English biscuits next to the electric kettle for tea or coffee in the room.

The dining room serves a continental breakfast in an attractive space, although there's no on-site restaurant for other meals. But the carpeted bar within the reception area serves drinks throughout the day. A bowl of apples and a dish of candy provide welcome treats at the reception desk, which also has safe deposit boxes. Wi-Fi, available throughout the hotel, is free. There's one computer for guests' use near the reception area and a room for meetings. On-site parking is available for a fee. A rental car service is also on-site, and the hotel provides airport transportation for a fee.