The Alma Hotel

Situated in a corner building with a charming Victorian facade, The Alma’s exterior is divided between its pub and its hotel identities -- the bottom features rich green tiling, and the top has brown brick and molded details. The hotel itself was added in 2010, and has a separate entrance (which it shares with a florist) a few doors down from the pub. A small, covered cobblestone alley lined with flowers leads to a central courtyard with an outdoor seating area and entries to the florist and the hotel. The small lobby speaks to the hotel’s style -- high-end but relaxed, with a fresh contemporary feel and antique elements. An oversized tufted brown leather couch with plaid pillows and a striped lounger sit on a parquet floor across from a rich wood reception desk. A picture frame made of antlers adds more whimsy. Hallways throughout the hotel are stylish and well-maintained, with striped carpeting, gray wainscoting, and cream-colored walls finished with black and white framed photographs. Clients vary from business travelers to leisure travelers and tourists who want a classy alternative to a chain hotel, but without the central London price tag.

Located in the town of Wandsworth just outside of central London, The Alma Hotel is situated directly across from the Wandsworth Town train station and is only 15 to 20 minutes from the city center via train. Guests can get to most London hotspots in about 30 minutes -- not bad for a hotel outside of the city center -- yet Wandsworth itself feels more like a pleasant village than a London suburb. In addition to the train station, the hotel shares the street with its own popular pub, a local photography studio, a barber shop, a cafe, and other shops. The hotel’s own entrance is shared with a florist, which adds a charming, atmospheric touch. There’s no on-site parking, but street parking is available and free on the weekends. Otherwise, guests can park at the nearby Riverside West Car Park for a fee, a five-minute walk from the hotel.- One-minute walk to Wandsworth Town Station

• One-minute walk to Wandsworth Town Bus Stop
• 25 minutes to Wimbledon via public transportation
• 25 minutes to Palace of Westminster via public transportation
• 30 minutes to Trafalgar Square via public transportation
• 30 minutes to Buckingham Palace via public transportation
• 35 minutes to Tate Modern via public transportation
• 40 minutes to Gatwick Airport via public transportation
• 45 minutes to Tower of London via public transportation
• One hour to Heathrow Airport via public transportation

Rooms at The Alma Hotel are design-conscious with contemporary and antique elements that combine to create a charming, homey feel. Decor varies, but all rooms feature neutral cream-colored or light blue walls and an accent wall decked out in modern wallpaper with a lively Marimekko-style print. Details like striped headboards and distressed side tables add to the whimsical atmosphere. Each room has a writing desk, reading lamps, and an armchair, along with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, a flatscreen TV with Freeview, and an iPod docking station. Guests find the Hypnos beds comfortable and the rooms surprisingly quiet, considering their location next to or above a lively pub. Bathrooms are spacious with a tiled floor, gray accents, and white-tiled bath/shower combo or separate bath and shower. Bathrooms are stocked with Algotherm individual toiletries. All guest rooms come stocked with hairdryers, tea kettles, Nespresso coffee machines, laptop safes with charging stations, irons/ironing boards, and minibars. 

The Alma Hotel’s best feature is its on-site pub, which is a major step above-and-beyond any typical hotel bar, as its also a local hangout with its own separate front entrance. The pub has an attractive, well-worn character with light green walls, mix-and-match furniture with pops of plaid, and lots of wood elements: floor, tables, bar, and ceiling beams. The bar serves up a host of beers on tap as well as wine, drinks, and bar food. The bar’s former billiard’s room serves as the hotel’s restaurant, and its atmosphere is more sophisticated than the pub with eggshell-blue walls, textured plaster molding, and sconce lights made more relaxed by wood floors and tables. The menu is seasonal with lots of classic English choices, and guests enjoy it on the whole (though some complain its a little greasy), particularly the popular Sunday roast. Guests also enjoy the free breakfast, which is made cooked-to-order with options like Full English, eggs Benedict, or pancakes. The hotel also has an event room for anything from business meetings to wedding receptions. It can host 50 to 80 people and features a separate toilet and kitchen facilities. Room service, a 24-hour concierge, and laundry service are also available. Solar panels and other property features speak to the hotel’s environmentally friendly status. While there’s no on-site gym, guests can use the nearby Virgin Active Gym, a 10-minute walk from the hotel.