Garden View Hotel

We did not stay in Room 57. There were signs of bed bugs, including shell casings, blood stains, and fecal spots. The room was disgusting, with dust and grime everywhere, ingrained crumbs on the chairs, stained bed linen, and suspicious marks on the mattress apart from the bed bug signs. It smelled rancid. One corner next to the bathroom wall was soaking wet and seemed to have been that way for some time. The paint was bubbled and peeling, the plaster behind it was clearly wet, and the smell from that spot was awful. It seemed like some kind of soil waste. I’d avoid this place at all costs if you care about your health and wellbeing or don’t want to bring bedbugs home.

The hotel’s location was the best part of my two-night Christmas holiday stay. It’s in a nice, fairly quiet area and not too far from the city centre. The bed was okay, probably the best thing in the room, but the shower barely had any pressure and was disappointing to use. A constant noise from upstairs bothered me at night. The room was very old, and several things seemed about to fall apart, like the shower curtain. Some items didn’t work, including the hairdryer, though they fixed it before my second night. For the money, it’s okay value given the convenient location. If you only need a place for one night, I guess I could recommend it, but I’d look elsewhere for a stay longer than two nights. You won’t want to linger in these rooms.

It’s a budget hotel with no kitchen or lounge, but it was cheap and cheerful. The rooms, bathrooms, towels, and linens were spotless, and towels and linens were changed daily. Staff were friendly and easy to approach. My room was too warm, but maintenance came within minutes to turn the heater down. The bed felt soft to me, though I have a bad back and woke without aches or stiffness. I slept really well. There was loads of hot water, and compared with my shower at home, the shower was powerful.

After a full day out sightseeing, we still slept well, even though the bed is quite old and could use an upgrade. The room isn't large, but it’s comfortable and practical, with an electric kettle and hair dryer. The building feels secure, and the location is really handy for the train station and Earl's Court Rd, where there are pubs, places to eat, and food shops.