My experience of staying at an Easy Hotel is this:

I had to make a last minute booking to attend a popular event held at Earls Court Exhibition Centre and found that most hotels in the area in my price range (I was looking for the cheapest, closest place) were fully booked. After searching online I managed to find a room at the Easy Hotel, Earls Court.

The address is:

44-48 West Cromwell Road
London
SW5 9QL

and I booked via the company's main website:

www.easyhotel.com
email: enquiries@earlscourt.easyHotel.com

The website is very easy to use and offers a drop down menu system where you can define your desired location. When you have chosen a hotel you are directed to a page which lists the full facilities and the location details.

You are asked to register for an account and set up an email address where confirmation of bookings is to be sent.

After booking you are sent an email with a booking reference number which you must take to the hotel and present at reception when checking in.

Since I had left the booking late - it was four days before my stay - there was only a couple of rooms left in this 80 room hotel. My room was described as "small with no window" and it was priced at £50 which I had to pay online immediately. I know now that if you book many months in advance the same room would be around £25 though.

The location of the hotel was very suitable and as described on the website - within 15 minutes walk of the Earls Court Exhibition Centre. The hotel is a small, hidden place along a road of what appear to be houses. The orange logo is surprisingly subtle on the front door although there are gaudy flags on poles hanging at the front. There is a busy main road in front of the hotel with stoplight crossings.

When I arrived at the hotel I had to use an intercom buzzer and a member of staff came and opened the door for me. This method of entry is very similar to hostels.

At reception I was given a form where I had to fill in my name and address and signature. I was then given a key card and told about the facilities in the hotel by the helpful, cheerful staff member. These included an Internet room, vending machines and luggage storage.

There is no lift in the hotel and my room was in the basement down two sets of narrow, steep stairs. The floors are bare wood slats and a little slippy.

My room was sized approimately 2 1/2 by 3 metres so very small - only big enough for a bed and a toilet/shower/sink cubicle. There was no other furniture. The bed was sturdy and comfortable and the headboard was adorned with the ugly orange Easyhotel logo. The toilet cubicle was also bright orange and it all looks a bit tacky. Inside this the toilet was so small you had to crouch inside. The shower and sink were overlapping one another and it was impossible to move without bumping into the sink or the wall. There was a big mirror, toilet paper and liquid soap provided.

Since my room had no windows the light was very bright. This could be controlled via a 'dimming dial' but overall the light was quite uncomfortable on my eyes.

There was a small flatscreen T.V in the room but you must pay an extra £5 per day to access this and I chose not to!

I found that the space was not big enough to set out my luggage and my other belongings. The lack of a dresser table or desk meant I had to put everything onto the floor, which was inconvenient and messy.

In the morning it was necessary to trek upstairs to look outside and see what the weather was like before I dressed. The lack of light in the morning was disorientating too.

At reception the check out was very simple. I basically just had to hand my key card back in and leave. The staff member was very pleasant and wished me well.

The Easy hotel provided a last minute room for me and provided the most basic comforts available. I do think that the stay was only worth the advance booking fee of £25 rather than the £50 I had to pay. Other hotels in the area are priced at around the same mark but provide a larger space, more comfortable quarters, tea and coffee making facilities, ironing boards and free television! I cannot fault the ease of the check in-check out process and can say it was the simplest I've ever encountered. I also think the staff were very nice and well trained.

I don't think I would actively seek to stay here again or in any Easyhotel unless I was on a very tight budget or there were no other rooms available in other hotels. This is definately a no-frills sort of place and I personally prefer a little touch of luxury when I'm staying away from home!