London Residence

After a 24-hour flight, this was the worst experience. The room was dusty, tiny, and felt like a cupboard. The curtains were old and ripped, and there was no TV remote. The website pictures were extremely misleading, and it’s a rip-off. Disgusting. There’s no reception desk, just codes to get through the doors. The stairs are so narrow we barely got our suitcases upstairs. We asked for a refund for the remaining nights and were told no, so we left the next day and paid $1300 AUD for two nights at RIU PLAZA HOTEL. It was worth it for the king bed, huge room, and bathroom.

For the price, this was one of the cheaper central options, though I still thought the accommodation was overpriced. London is expensive, so it felt acceptable. Tesco Express and Victoria Metro station are within walking distance, and Buckingham Palace is about a 20 min walk along lovely streets. There’s no reception and I never saw staff, but check-in is automated. On check-in day you get an email with the front door code, room details, and room entry code. I missed that email and called the number on the booking site. They answered quickly and explained everything. The entrance is just a front door into a narrow corridor. The first time I arrived, I was confused because all I noticed was a cafe. The room was smaller than I expected from the photos, and I’m not sure my attached pictures show just how small it was. The bed goes from wall to wall. It’s wide and comfortable, but I’m not sure it would suit someone taller than 175 cm. With the window open, there’s quite a bit of noise from ambulances and police passing by. I was glad to have a fridge, hairdryer, iron, tea, and coffee.

It’s a good little hotel in a really central spot, and the price was great. The owner was welcoming and friendly. There’s no sign apart from '32A' on a red door, so it can be tricky to find. There’s no reception, restaurant, or other facilities, just the rooms. The room was snug, warm, clean, and small without feeling uncomfortable. The kettle was a bit dirty, but I had no other complaints. I’d come back next time I’m in London.

The room itself was clean and had a comfortable bed. We were in the basement, and the price and location were good. The hallway and the few steps down to the room were scruffy and need updating. I’ve only given two stars because my daughter left her iPhone charger behind and contacted them about it. She offered to bank transfer the postage and packaging, but they flatly refused to send it back. That wasn’t good customer service.