Club Quarters Trafalgar Square - London, United Kingdom 

Trafalgar Square is on the doorstep. The Houses of Parliament, Downing Street, Westminster Abbey are a short (and very interesting ) walk from the front door. The only word for the location is UNBEATABLE. The hotel shares a building with The Grand. The lobby is what one would expect of a 'Grand' hotel. One of the best things about the building is the thickness of the carpets in the corridors which absorb all sound. Unusual for a hotel in a city centre over a weekend, we did not hear one single sound from other guests...no doors opening or closing, no footsteps outside the room, nothing. The windows are double glazed against the traffic sound and are pretty effective. Rooms are high-ceilinged, beautifully finished and equipped to high standard with internet access available on the flat screen TV. (Keyboard is in a drawer.) This proved handy when we were looking for restaurants. The service is rather impersonal, but the response to our our only problem was swift. (There was no sound on the TV when we arrived.) We paid just over ?500 for three nights, not cheap, but this included a ?10 per night charge for an extra bed in the double room. Where else in London could an adult stay in such style for so little money? We went out for breakfast. There are plenty of places to eat all around...Garfunkels, The Old Shades pub etc. My only complaint was a communication problem when booking. I tried to book a studio room, I thought I had booked a studio room but had a doubt, I phoned back to check that it was, and spoke to someone who was charming but not a native English speaker. It was not until we opened the door of the room that we found it was NOT a studio. (The hotel was fully booked.) Given the location, the comfort, and the sheer pleasure of spending a weekend in London our disappointment did not last long. Staying at 8 Northumberalnd Avenue has spoiled me for any other location in the capital. I would rather spend a few days here than a longer time anywhere else.

Stayed for two nights (11 and 12 July) while my girlfriend and I went to London for a gig at Somerset House. The reviews I read of this hotel made me a little wary (re: harsh staff and problems with lifts and key cards and stuff), but the location sounded like just the ticket. I booked through londontown.com which was a good experience. I emailed the hotel in advance of our stay to confirm that they had received the booking and they replied promptly. Firstly, I checked in using their automated system that just swipes your credit card and issues you with your room card(s) - I took two in case we had the (previously highlighted) lift problems. The room was immaculate - totally clean and fresh..... no bath but a good sized, powerful, walk-in shower..... good tv with free internet, usual coffee and tea stuff....... Bonuses = free purified water and bottles (on every floor by the lifts).... Free ice and ice buckets (by the water machines)..... umbrella for customer use in every room - five quid charge if you nick it!! Settled in and fancied an extra pillow..... asked one of the many, friendly, staff who were servicing our floor and they brought me one within the hour. No view from the small window in the room. Checked out via the very simple automated service - just swipe your room key and then post them back through the slot. Location - superb. Everything within easy reach. This hotel makes a really superb base for exploring the sights and sounds of London. Suggestions = breakfast at Garfunkels (nearby) or try the "breakfast club" in Soho for a great vegetarian cooked breakfast. Drink some good beer (a real rarity in London!!!) at Chandos - only a couple of minutes walk from the hotel or drink Guinness at the Toucan in Soho!! I recommend this hotel to anyone - I didn't risk being disappointed by having to deal with surly staff by completely cutting them out of the equation. I've paid a lot more for a lot less!!