Debden Guest House

The woman on duty was helpful and friendly, and parking was free. Getting into London by car was easy from here. We only needed a bed for one night on this trip, and it did the job. The price seemed fair for what you get, as long as you keep your expectations modest.

Room 1 on the ground floor suited our family of five, with an ensuite, a double bed and three singles. The guesthouse was fairly easy to find and close enough to central London. We could sleep on the beds, and the room had a fridge, kettle, microwave and a small desk and chair. Parking was easy while we were there, but if the place were full, I can see the tight spaces making the car park chaotic. There were a few maintenance issues. The light above my bed didn’t work, and the heating was off, so we wore extra layers in bed. The ensuite fan was very loud and would start up when we were trying to sleep. The washbasin tap was an awkward, overdesigned fountain style, which made filling the kettle difficult. The shower was in poor repair, with the vinyl lifting where it met the tray and letting water onto the floor. Apart from the heated towel rail, there wasn’t anywhere to put towels. It’s handy for the airport and London, but the facilities need some attention.

We stayed a few days and the service was fantastic, better than at many hotels I’ve tried. Even in the evening, they answered within seconds when I called. The rooms felt luxurious and worth the price, with useful things like a kettle, microwave, iron and ironing board. Best place to stay!

There’s just one shared toilet and shower for the whole house, so the queue can get long at any time. If you’re downstairs, you have to go upstairs to use it, which is a real nuisance in the middle of the night. The bathroom has nowhere for clothes except the toilet lid, no place for soap or shampoo in the shower, and no hand towel. There’s no heater either. The shower starts lukewarm, then turns cold after about two minutes. It’s a dump, and I really regret booking it.