Your money is safer hanging your hat at one of these Paddington’s budget hotels
Early on in my consultation with clients the subject of hotels comes up. I present to them as their options: American chain hotels, exclusive and incredibly expensive five-star hotels, boutique hotels, and smaller, privately-owned budget hotels usually situated in old, Georgian or Victorian era townhouses which have been converted into hotels. Typically I’d say about 6 out of 10 people choose the townhouse hotels, and it’s always because they feel it will give them a true “London Experience” and this is absolutely true. It is these budget hotels I’d like to zero in on in this article. After 49 visits to London, most of them spent in budget accommodation, I can say with some authority that I know a thing or two about London’s budget hotels. Many of these can be absolutely charming, located away from the hustle and bustle of major tourist attractions in lovely neighborhoods, but there are a few things you need to know before you book one.
What you see online isn’t necessarily what you’ll get…
On my first visit to London back in 2002, I was very much on a budget and in search of a cheap hotel. (The exchange rate back then was at 1.6! ) After finding a hotel online which presented itself on its website as completely charming, in a wonderful looking Victorian terraced townhouse. The rooms looked small, but clean and comfortable, and the lobby looked warm and inviting. Upon arrival, I first noticed that the lobby looked shabby and when I entered my room the carpets were stained and in one area of the room, my shoes were literally sticking to the floor! Time to look for another hotel! When I informed the front desk person that I wanted to take my American dollars elsewhere, he was quick to point out, in a somewhat surly manner, that I was still required to pay for the first night regardless of whether I stayed or not. I elected to eat the cost of that evening’s accommodations. Fortunately, I was able to find another hotel at around the same price which offered cleaner facilities.
Not my last experience…
Now I don’t mean to cast aspersions on all of London’s budget hotels. Indeed, I’ve stayed in many fine hotels over the years. But I’ve had a few unpleasant experiences in in a handful of them. Shower curtains covered with mold, cracked bathroom floor tiles, windows that couldn’t be closed, frayed and dirty carpeting, and on two occasions I’d been bitten by bedbugs!
I know what you’re thinking. Why didn’t I just stay at the hotel which was acceptable?
Two reasons:
Availability
Depending on the time of year, I wasn’t always able to get a room at the time allotted for my visit, so I had to find accommodations elsewhere, and …
London hotel room rates are often negotiable
One of the little secrets I learned about London budget hotels is that, depending on the time of year, the rates on London budget hotel rooms are often times negotiable. If you explain to the front desk clerk that you’re in need of a room and have a set amount you can afford, you’ll usually get the room as long as your offer is reasonably close to what he or she quoted you upon arrival. This is especially true in January and February when these hotels are operating at their lowest capacity.
Providence steps in…
Somewhere around the time of my 40th visit to London, I discovered two budget hotels in the Paddington area, and I quickly found that these two hotels were distinctly different than the aforementioned hotels…even those that were acceptable. Sister hotels: The Shakespeare Hotel and The Dolphin Hotel, both family-owned, and located on beautiful Norfolk Square in Paddington.
For starters, they are extremely clean. In fact, I think it’s fair to say that they are obsessed with cleanliness, as you practically can’t walk from your room to the front door without seeing a member of staff cleaning something somewhere! The staff at these hotels will always help you and do so happily. The breakfast is phenomenal! For an extra £3 a day, you can enjoy a full English breakfast, which consists of sausage, bacon, eggs prepared as you like, toast, and baked beans. If you opt out of the full English option, there are still many great choices which include delicious scrambled eggs, homemade waffles (which are fantastic) and sliced ham and cheese. (See the breakfast video below) The front desk clerks at these hotels are very knowledgeable about the surrounding area, and give good advice regarding additional questions regarding London. Lastly, the location of these hotels is as good as it gets! They are tucked away on a very quiet and beautiful Square, but just two-minutes’ walk from Paddington Station(you can take the walk by clicking the link below) and its multiple Tube lines, from which you can travel to any of London’s major tourist attractions directly.
To learn more about these hotels click HERE
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