Marylebone Inn

I got a fourth-floor room for a little over £100 with a same-day booking. It was really spacious, with a bed, desk, table, sofa bed, and kitchenette stocked with crockery, cutlery, and a microwave. There was a view of the BT Tower, though the road below was a bit noisy. The bathroom was large, and the shower was fine, but it had a curtain instead of a door. There wasn't much room beside the toilet. No lift made the climb a bit of a slog, but I'd stay again.

The one-bedroom place is neat and cozy, and its location makes public transport easy to reach. It's comfortable and tidy, though the size is best suited to no more than two people.

The location may suit you for the price, but the stairs were a struggle with family luggage since there's no elevator. The beds are so close overhead that you have to watch your head, and you can't stand up there. My August visit was unbearably hot: no air conditioning, and the supplied fan was broken. Opening the windows was the only way to cool down, which meant dealing with noisy cars and trucks honking at each other and hoping to sleep through it. Luckily, these were my last two nights in London.

Mr Daniel was so welcoming and funny, and my kids liked his sense of humour. He really made our day. The room was clean and comfortable, and the central London location was ideal.