London Elizabeth Hotel

The staff were great and respectful, and the price was good, especially so close to Hyde Park. It was also handy for Winter Wonderland and the tube. The rooms were very old and badly in need of redoing. The carpets were really dirty and the walls had lots of stains, which made me uneasy about staying there. I’d expected a full English breakfast, but found it was croissants and cereals.

This place is dirty, has an unpleasant musty smell throughout, and is falling apart. It’s listed as four stars on booking.com, though even a two-star rating would be generous. Don’t be fooled by the promotional photos on hotel booking sites. In our room, a wall light hung by exposed electrical wires. There was a mouse trap under one of the beds, the toilet seat was broken, and the bathroom had just one face towel. The shower barely trickled. The hair dryer somehow had more power when switched off than when it was on. The so-called continental breakfast was basically tea, coffee, toast, and fruit, and the only toaster was broken. The young receptionist communicated poorly and looked slovenly. This hotel belongs in its Victorian past. Avoid!

The location was great and the price was economical, with parking too. The building has Edwardian charm, and while it could use some refurbishment, it was clean and the staff were friendly and helpful. Breakfast is advertised as basic, and I found it perfectly adequate, so I don’t understand complaints that it isn’t a full English. We stayed for two nights on a London visit after reading mixed reviews. The owners’ responses stood out to me, since an owner who takes time to reply seems to care what guests think. If you’re happy with a clean, affordable hotel in a good location, this is a good option. For everything to be perfect, you’d need to pay four or five times as much elsewhere.

My wife and I really enjoyed our stay over the August Bank Holiday weekend. The beds were comfortable, the walk-in wardrobe was nicely spacious, and the shower was lovely. The rooms and décor could be updated, though I think that might take away some of the hotel’s character. I’d recommend it to people who like a bit of character where they stay.