Sapphire Hotel

I needed somewhere straightforward for one night near a concert venue, and the Sapphire Hotel did the job. The room was small but tidy and clean, with a comfortable enough bed and things appearing well maintained. I had no cleanliness problems. Facilities are basic: there’s no catering or breakfast, and even a spoon for stirring coffee wasn’t provided. A Sainsbury’s Local right across the road is handy and helps fill that gap. It’s a simple overnight base in a good location, rather than a full service hotel. I stayed Saturday 28th February for one night.

The location was really convenient, with Shepherd’s Bush close by and Hammersmith not far away. I got a room at short notice for a low price, and they even upgraded me to a larger one for free. The service was excellent, and everything was sorted quickly and easily. The rooms have the feel of older apartments, though I noticed renovation work was underway, so there’s clearly effort being made to improve them. Having my own kitchen was a nice extra. Great value for money.

I booked three nights but could only manage one, and even that night felt like a compromise. Reception reassured me the room would be fine, but it wasn’t. When I asked to move, the time window they gave me was too limited for my schedule, and nobody made a real effort to sort things out. The place feels very overpriced for its location and what it offers. I’d advise people to read the reviews carefully before booking. Cleanliness was the main problem, not noise or thin walls. The bed and furniture looked worn and poorly cared for, and nothing seemed fresh. I didn’t feel comfortable taking my shoes off. There were lingering smells of smoke and other odours throughout, plus a constant sewage smell in the bathroom that lasted all night and made sleep uncomfortable. The shower was in such poor condition that I didn’t feel able to use it. The room itself felt neglected and unclean as soon as I walked in, with a strong stale smell. The glasses hadn’t been washed properly, one still had residue in it, and the kettle was visibly dirty. Basic hygiene clearly wasn’t a priority. The price was similar to other hotels nearby, which made the condition even more shocking. This was one of the most unpleasant places I’ve ever stayed.

I only needed a place to crash overnight for work, and I was pleasantly surprised. The room was small but clean, with a kettle, fridge, TV, and ensuite. The man who let me in was friendly, and I felt safe. I’ve had no problems so far, though I’ll update if I wake up with bed bites. The walls are paper thin, but it wasn’t loud. There was ordinary city traffic outside. I turned the radiator up to 5 and the room got hotter than my house. Transport links and local amenities are great. I went to the Greek cafe across the road, and there’s a pub two doors down. I’d book this place for a gig, a night out, sightseeing all day, or work when I just need somewhere to sleep. It’s ideal for that and good for the price and location, though probably not for families or a romantic getaway. Tourists may not realise that many London properties are converted buildings rather than purpose-built ones, and we don’t tend to have AC in the UK. With an old listed property, soundproofing or changing the windows may not always be possible. They could also check out what renting in London is like. I was dubious after booking through Booking.com, then seeing the Google reviews. I’d expected a horror house, especially because the price seemed too good to be true, and I don’t usually write long reviews. I felt the bad reviews needed a response. I’d booked the wrong date, but they let me change it at the last minute on booking.con. You do have to check in at the other hotel seven doors down.