Clapham South Dudley Hotel

The neighborhood is amazing, and in the end you get what you pay for. Most staff were quite helpful, and they did their best to move me after I first got a really bad room. The room quality still left a lot to be desired. My coat rack fell off, and even after four days of asking for fresh sheets, they were still dirty. At one point they just turned them over.

The hotel made a good base for exploring London, which was what we needed, and we were happy with the room price. Shops for food and other basics are close by, and it’s easy to reach the Underground. Our room was small but simple, clean and fresh. Housekeeping were efficient and helpful, and the staff and other guests made for a positive stay. The mattress was very uncomfortable, so I’ve taken off a star.

It’s a budget hotel, clean, with friendly staff and an excellent spot for getting the tube into the center. The Common is glorious. Just make sure you get an upstairs room if you can. The bathroom is small, and the sink sits so low you can’t brush your teeth properly.

The housekeeper who parked the cart in front of our door did give us a great tip on where to buy a fan. That was the one good thing about this stay. The room door opened onto large rubbish bins in the back courtyard. During a very hot summer, the tiny window barely cooled it down. We could either sleep in a hot box or open it for a little warm air mixed with the smell of roasted rubbish. We bought a fan, but it just blew that smell around. At one point a cart was left blocking our door, which opened out onto the walkway instead of into the room. We were trapped until someone heard us calling for help. Our sons were upstairs, and the elevator was out of order for our entire stay. The stairwell was very narrow and had loose carpet in places. Fire safety clearly wasn’t a concern. When we complained, reception just said, “well you can’t find a cheaper place to stay”. We did find a bigger room with more amenities and considerate staff for less money. There are so many other awful things about this place that I don’t have time to list them all. Literally the worst place I’ve ever stayed.