London Hotels

[Mr Depressed]

Inspired by my most recent trip to London, I thought I'd post about my hotel experiences in the capital over the years...

You won't find any reviews of the likes of the Ritz or Savoy, here. So if that's what you're looking for, you're going to be disappointed. I don't and have never had that sort of money. My stays have been either on a budget or through business.

Unfortunately there's little I remember of the first hotel I ever stayed at as it was many years ago, but I'll get that one out of the way first:

1) A hotel on Sussex Gardens, just south of Paddington station.

I've looked on Google Streetview and I can't see a name that rings a bell, sadly. So, it's probably changed name since. I've got a feeling it might of been what's currently called The Orchard. I remember it having the frontal layout you see in that link (with the driveway) but again, I don't recall that name unless it's genuinely escaped my memory.

Not a bad place from the little I can remember. Reception was a bit chaotic on check-in which they initially denied my booking but that was just an oversight. It was here where I discovered hotel rooms in London are generally small. Other than that, I remember they used to have a couple of black Mercedes E Class pools cars (the W210 model that was more or less new at the time - that's how long ago it was). They offered me a lift to where I was heading after checking in, free of charge, which was nice of them, as one was available... That took me pleasantly by surprise.

That's about all I can remember about it now, unfortunately.

2) 'Park Grand Hyde Park'

This hotel is still around today - on Westboune Terrace, only around the corner from the above. I'd class it more as Paddington than Hyde Park. This was rated as a four star hotel if memory serves me, but felt more like a very good three star than a four. I might be a little harsh there, though. Spotlessly clean, nice decor but again, a very small room. I was given a twin if memory serves me. I remember you opened the door and then had stepped 'down' a step into the room. A little odd.

3) St Giles Hotel - Tottenham Court Road.

Now...This is a hotel I've stayed in several times and it's usually the one I get put-up in most often on business. It's a real mixed bag, this one. In terms of transport connections, it's by far the best I've stayed in. It's also very handy if you happen to find yourself on foot around Leicester Square or Soho in the evening (which...unfortunately...I have).

If you find yourself in a single room - they are truly 'rabbit hutch/walk in wardrobe' in terms of size. My advice is try and get something that's above their bog standard room offerings - as they're lower down in the hotel and the traffic will keep you up at night if you're a light sleeper like me. The rooms used to be tidy but fairly 'worn out', but I know quite a chunk of the hotel has gone through a refurbishment programme in recent years and the last room I had there was tiny, but immaculate.

Overall? Outside of the posh main reception area it's fairly 'no frills', but a decent base.

4) Huttons, Belgrave Road, Pimlico.

A very nice area, but I wasn't keen on this hotel at all. When I went here, it was poorly run by what I can only describe as a bunch of amateurs. Cheap furniture and breakfast held right down in the bowels of the basement. I only stayed the once and wouldn't go back.

5) The Rochester Hotel, Rochester Row, Victoria/South Westminster. (I believe it's changed names now)

This was a nice hotel. Dated, but spotlessly clean with polished brass and wood abound. Efficient staff too. Probably the only hotel in London where I've had a decent night's sleep as it's in a relatively quiet area. Just a few streets away from the famous Regency Cafe too, where I had breakfast. The downside to it was it was more or less a ten minute brisk walk from any tube station (certainly Victoria).

6) Royal Eagle Hotel, Craven Road, Paddington.

My most recent hotel. Just down the road from Paddington Railway Station and not far off the convenience at the St Giles. I was mildly surprised by this place, given some poor reviews I was reading literally a few days before arriving. Maybe some staying there expected something grander given it's name, but it's only rated as a three star hotel after all. I thought it was perfectly acceptable. Maybe I just happened to have a reasonably nice room? I found it very clean, the staff were friendly (barring those at breakfast) and generally presentable. A few minor marks and scuffs on the walls in the corridors but nothing out of the ordinary. It's not somewhere where I'd take family, but for a solo trip or business trip for a night or two where you're literally using it to sleep and refresh, it done the job perfectly fine.

The only real downside to it, which I didn't like, was a £50 deposit for the room before they gave you the room key card. I could understand if it was a five star hotel, but it's the first time I've come across something like this at a three star level.

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Well, that currently brings you up to date with my London hotel experiences. I've no idea if I'll ever go back. I'd much rather not knowing just how much it's deteriorated over the last decade (plus), but who knows...