Ruskin Hotel - London, United Kingdom     

The Ruskin Hotel just might be the best deal in London, or at least in Bloomsbury. We've stayed there 3 times and have never been disappointed. True, the decor may be dated and the rooms rather small, but consider these positives: (1) the staff is very helpful and courteous, from the gentlemen at the front desk to the waitresses serving a very fine English breakfast; (2) the rooms facing relatively quiet Montague Street are sunny, bright, and scrupulously clean; (3) the location, facing the British Museum on an elegant-looking street, gives you access to three tube stations and lovely Russell Square is one block north. All in all, once we Americans set aside our expectations about private bathrooms (although these are available, too) and gigantic rooms and beds (and cable TV), it's a great place to stay while sightseeing in London. The Ruskin will leave you feeling you've been treated like a human being, for much less cost than swanker hotels.

My son and I stayed in a twin room for 5 nights (room 309) at the Ruskin. We were very busy seeing the sights and the hotel was an excellent jumping off point. Three Tube stops were nearby, and the entrance to the British Museum was literally around the corner. The hotel was well run, breakfast was excellent and quickly provided, and the staff was polite and visible, yet discrete. We came and went at our leisure, and the room was done well by the time we got back in the afternoon. Our twin room had only a sink, so we shared the bathrooms on the 3rd floor. Those were clean and available. We had absolutley no issue in that regard. My only complaint is the seemingly thin walls. The people next to us for one night were fairly loud, and the sound came right thorugh the wall like they were in our room. In summary, I would recommend this relatively modest but clean and orderly hotel. The price was right, and it was very clean and orderly in all key respects - perfect for our purposes.