10-12 Norfolk Square, London, United Kingdom | (888) 708-2081
Minutes walk to Paddington Station and the tube
Close to Mayfair, Soho, Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road
Rooms have pleasant views overlooking a green square
Historic Victorian building
Non-smoking property (con for some)
Free English breakfast daily
Free Wi-Fi
Some rooms are small and have limited electrical outlets
Some rooms have a shared bath in the hall
Steep stairs and no elevator
Fee for parking
Fee if you lose your card-key (there's an option to leave it in reception)
The Tudor Court Hotel is a budget-friendly hotel in an a historic building just minutes away from Paddington station. Built originally in the 1850s as private square housing for London's nobility, it is a listed Victorian building -- which also means the rooms are cozy in size. With limited amenities, the hotel comes off as more of a bed and breakfast, convenient for a few nights' sightseeing in London. Rooms are a bit worn and dated, but the location is ideal for those who want to be close to such sights as Westminster Cathedral, Kensington Gardens, and Buckingham Palace, as well as museums, shops, and restaurants. It is worth comparing with the Tune Hotel Paddington, a hotel with cheaper rates, a trendier atmosphere, and brighter, more up-to-date rooms -- expect to pay for any and all extras including hairdryers and early arrival times.
Scene
Worn Victorian charm, but more to see outside
There isn't much going on at the Tudor Court Hotel; it's more of a pit-stop for getting some sleep after a long day's sightseeing. An historic Victorian building on the outside, the interior of the hotel has a red and orange theme. The lobby has bright yellow walls, and the patterned, Victorian-style carpets are tired-looking. The breakfast room feels somewhat more modern, with hardwood floors, red and yellow walls, wooden chairs, and a large painting of a peacock. Elderly or disabled people may struggle with the steep stairs in the hotel, but this problem can be overcome by booking a room on a lower floor. Tudor Court Hotel is cozy and welcoming enough, but the real magic is waiting to be discovered on the cosmopolitan streets of London.
Location
Close to all the central London hotspots, which can be accessed via neighboring Paddington station
Located opposite a green square on a quiet, leafy street just around the corner from Paddington Station, Tudor Court Hotel is close to all the prime sightseeing areas of London, including Mayfair, Soho, Marylebone, and Hyde Park. Shopping havens like Oxford Street, Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Tottenham Court Road are less than half an hour away on the tube. The Royal Albert Hall is a brisk 20-minute walk, or jumping on a tube gets you there in half the time. The Science Museum takes about 20 minutes on the tube, and Covent Garden, which is chock full of chic shops and restaurants is 20 minutes away on the Bakerloo line. Tudor Court Hotel is close to Whiteleys Shopping Centre, Selfridges, Imperial College London, and Harrods.
Rooms
Small and cramped with bland decor, but pretty views over Norfolk Square Gardens
Decor in the rooms is uninspired, with tired orange walls, drab curtains, and light-wood furniture when there's room for it. Because the hotel is a listed Victorian, guests may expect exposed beams and other original features, but these rooms sadly lack them. Not all rooms have ensuite bathrooms; some share a bathroom in the hallway. Even ensuite bathrooms are cramped and uncomfortable, with little room to shower. The good points are that the windows are big, and have pretty views over Norfolk Square Gardens. There's no air-conditioning (standard in budget hotels in London), but all rooms have flat-screen TVs and daily housekeeping, although some guests have complained that there aren't any coffee-making facilities (even though it says so on the hotel's website).
Features
Free English breakfast -- but little else
Tudor Court Hotel is basic when it comes to features. It offers a decent free English breakfast daily, and there's secure storage for left luggage. The concierge service means that the reception can book tours, taxis, and transport for guests, and there's a fax machine available. There's also free Wi-Fi.