We couldn't believe our luck!Posted: Sat, Jul 19 2008Location:
5Rooms:
3.5Service:
2.7Value:
4This hotel was suggested by a close friend of mine because it is 'clean and cheap'. I was looking for a nice hotel for me and my mother and I decided to trust my friend. The point is that we loved it!
The hotel is situated in a lovely location with front views to a green garden is literally 5 minutes walking distance to the Bayswater undergraound and 10 minutes walking distance to Hyde Park. This means that there are plenty of shops, supermarkets, pharmacies around and it looks like a 'safe area'.
However, the reason why we were so satisfied is not the location but the friendly people who own the hotel. We felt welcomed from the first moment! Our room was on the second floor (there is no elevator, so if you're on 4th floor you might feel somehow frustrated) and was very clean. The matresses were in good condition, but the toilet has no window. Nevertheless, we were provided with an air freshener :) The room was not very big but somehow sufficient for a three-night stay. We also asked for a 'converter' since my mum brought her hair straightener from Greece and they were happy to provide us with one immediately. The breakfast room was all right, but the breakfast was also a pleasant surprise. I have stayed in many badget hotels and usually the coffee is unbearable and the bread inedible. This hotel actually has very good coffee and you can ask for many refills! It is not self-service; which means that someone is always there to serve you while you enjoy your coffee and plan your day ahead. The people working there were so friendly and smiling and this is what made us feel so welcome.
There are some drawbacks, though. You have to pay for parking if you have a car (fortunately, we didn't) Also, this hotel needs some upgrading; the curtains, the beds, the breakfast room, everything looked as a scenery from a 70s movie. Nevertheless, for ?60 per room per night (if you go to their website and book online, they have special offers) you can't ask for more! Be careful, though, when you book a room; if you're looking for an en-suite room, you have to state it before hand- so pay closer attention when you make the booking!
I liked the hotel so much that 2nd August I'm going with a couple of friends to spend two nights and I can't wait to show them my discovery!