Best Western Palm Hotel

The Best Western Palm Hotel comprises a long row of interlinked terrace houses, white-washed and red-roofed as is typical in its locale. Through a large glass-paneled entrance and past various potted shrubs, the lobby area is a smart, modern space with rust-toned marbled flooring and sleek black furnishings. The simple, neatly presented reception desk is illuminated with etched, plexiglass light-hangings, while other details such as black-and-white-movie wall prints, and elongated metal vases partly distract from the chain hotel ambience. The layout is on the sprawling side, and hallways are fresh and contemporary, and dotted with colorful modern art pieces. The setting on a very busy dual-carriageway means clientele tends largely towards business guests who find the location convenient.

Located right on the busy A41 dual carriageway on the northern outskirts of London, the setting is certainly far from idyllic -- though being five minutes from the M1 and outside the congestion zone makes it super-convenient by car. The nearest train station is Cricklewood, half a mile away, while Golders Green is the closest Tube station a mile from the hotel -- it's then about 20 minutes to the center of London. It's a fairly convenient 15-minute drive to Wembley Stadium, while Brent Cross shopping mall is just five minutes away by car.

Rooms at the Palm Hotel are finished in a warm palette of reds and browns with simple, contemporary furnishings and patterned carpeting. Lighting is modern and thoughtfully designed while London-related art prints decorate the walls. Free Wi-Fi, hairdryers, and flat-screen TVs are standard in all rooms, and clean, modern bathrooms include tropical-rain showers and good-quality toiletries. Because of its location there is an issue with traffic noise in some rooms.

The hotel has a restaurant on-site which serves full English and continental breakfast every morning for a fee, and a set menu and a la carte options (of slightly British-influenced cuisine) during the day. The lobby bar is open around the clock for drinks (cocktails, beer, soft drinks) and snacks (British pub food), and there is also a separate bar and function room for events. Ample on-site parking is free to those arriving by car, and a computer terminal and use of Wi-Fi is also free of charge. Opened in 2014, a fitness room with free weights and cardio machines is also available.