London Calling (Hotels in London in general)

Name: michaelhudson

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Product:	Hotels in London in general
Date:	11/01/02 (1513 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Inexpensive, well situated

Disadvantages: Some of the facilities are a little basic

It’s a widely held belief that London hotels are overpriced, unfriendly places full of exploited tourists and moaning provincials. Yet while that image is certainly true of much of the accommodation in our capital city, and indeed much of the accommodation in any capital city, friendly, conveniently located and reasonably priced options abound if you know where to look. The following hotels may not be perfect, but they’re cheap and well situated for both transport links and tourist landmarks.


THE KINGS HOTEL


The Kings Hotel is situated in a lovely Victorian building just off Bayswater Road. The rooms are very clean and spacious and have air conditioning, central heating, tea and coffee making facilities, a hairdryer, a large wardrobe, colour TV and an en-suite shower, sink and lavatory. On the negative side, there are no lifts in the building, my TV didn’t work and the shower cubicle was barely large enough for me to fit into. The hotel has three floors and 27 rooms. There are two rooms on the ground floor if you don’t want to climb any stairs. The hotel’s website, www.kingshotel.net, has pictures of the rooms, a list of tariffs and an on-line booking facility.

Breakfast is served from 7.30 until 9.30 (last orders 9.15) in the Tapas Bar adjoining the hotel. After being allocated a table by a rather surly waiter you are given 3 half slices of toast, 1 bread bun, 1 croissant, 1 glass of orange juice and the option of tea or coffee (refills fro hot drinks only). If you’re still hungry-a distinct possibility-there is a branch of the Deep Pan Pizza Co. on the way to Queensway tube station that does an excellent all-day pizza, pasta and salad buffet for £4.95.

PRICES

Singles cost £50
Doubles/Twins cost £60
Triples cost £70

I got a special rate of £52 for a double from Hotel Connect (www.go-fly.com).

GETTING THERE

The nearest tube station is Queens
way. From the exit, turn right and take your first left onto Bayswater Road. Queensborough Road is the second turning on your left; the Kings Hotel is about 50 metres down on the left hand side.

Alternatively, take the Number 12 bus, which stops at Waterloo, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, Regent Street and Oxford Street, along Bayswater Road until you see a Shell petrol station and the Thistle Hotel. Get off, walk in the direction the bus was heading and take your first right.

Address: 60-62 Queensborough Terrace
London W2 3SH

Contact Details: 0207 2296848 (Tel)
0207 2299970 (Fax)
0207 2291586 (Reservations)
reservations@kingshotel.net
www.kingshotel.net


Nice building; quiet residential area but close to the tube, Hyde Park and Oxford Street; inexpensive; large rooms but tiny showers; not exactly a big breakfast. Three and a half stars.



THE HOTEL CALIFORNIA


The Hotel Howard Winchester had been recommended to me as a cheap hotel in the Kings Cross area. However, as they were full, I was directed back across Argyle Square to the Hotel California. Located in Belgrove Street, the California is a short walk from Kings Cross station (come out of the main exit, turn right and turn left into Belgrove Street at the corner where the Post Office is situated). Doubles cost £55 (cash only), the rooms are spacious, clean and have colour TVs, en-suite facilities and a wardrobe. Other positive points include friendly staff, a free luggage room and a decent breakfast (full English), which is served from 7am-9am down in the basement.

Not the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in, not the best shower I’ve ever stood under and not the best quality breakfast I’ve ever eaten. For price and location I’ll give it three stars.


r>ALSO RECOMMENDED


The Imperial Hotel and The President Hotel are both owned by the Imperial Hotel group and located in Russell Square. I stayed in the latter before the 1998 FA Cup Final and found it to offer excellent value. The hotel has 523 rooms, its own shopping arcade, an underground (pay) garage and a couple of decent bars. Current rates are £66 for a single and £88 for double/twin. Call 0207 8378844 for more details.