Orchard Hotel

The breakfast was limited, and the room felt dated. I could hear street traffic and the neighbors all night because the soundproofing was poor. I was also concerned about the cleanliness of the sheets. The room was reasonably spacious, and the water pressure on the second floor was good. There’s an elevator, and the heater worked intermittently. Basic items like shower gel and shampoo were only available on request. The room also had no kettle, fridge, or safe.

The staff were polite and the location is excellent, very close to Paddington Station with good public transport links. The room was small but cute and tidy. Still, I’d say this place is fine for two or three days, but not for the whole week we stayed. There was no kettle, so we couldn’t make tea or coffee. The bathroom had no shampoo, shower gel, or bath mat, and each extra towel cost £1. Breakfast was extremely poor, with no fruit or vegetables and almost nothing for vegans apart from perhaps toast and jam. The serving hours were much too short. We told reception the room was cold in the evening. They said the heating would start automatically after 11 PM, but it never did. Water pressure was often weak, and one morning there was no water at all when most guests were using the bathroom. For a 3-star hotel, these were disappointing basics.

The rooms were comfortable, with thick sheets and a spacious bathroom. The staff were helpful and very friendly. Breakfast could have had more variety. There were eggs, ham, and cheese, but I wouldn’t count the cereal, since it’s more of a children’s meal.

The beds were good, the bathrooms felt freshly renovated, and reception was open around the clock. It's a newly renovated hotel near Paddington station, which made getting around easy by train, Tube, or bus. I also appreciated having a basic breakfast, since plenty of small hotels don't offer one.