The 55 by Le Mirage

The sliding bathroom doors didn’t give much privacy, and sound travelled easily, which could be awkward depending on who you’re staying with. The rooms are on the small side, as is typical in London, but they’re well equipped. I especially liked the USB charging ports, so I didn’t need adapters. Breakfast was good, and there are plenty of nearby bakeries if you want to try local options. They also provide complimentary coffee. The 55 Le Mirage Hotel is in a charming, posh historic part of London that feels very safe, with lovely surroundings, and it’s easy to get to from the airport. The location, safety and convenience were the highlights. I’d happily stay again.

The hotel looks modern and fresh, and the staff were helpful and did their best when we raised problems. The location is excellent, with easy links to the airport and central London. Queensway high street, with supermarkets and restaurants, is just around the corner. We found the sofa bed unusable for an adult. As an 85kg man, I could feel every metal bar, and it creaked loudly. The staff kindly tried an extra topper and WD-40, but neither helped. I ended up sleeping on the floor with the mattress and topper, which was much more comfortable than the metal frame. Cleaning was disappointing too. As far as we could tell, the carpet wasn’t vacuumed once in our four-day stay. There were obvious clumps of dust in the stair corners, and the bathroom shelf was so dusty I could write my name on it. For a hotel of this standard, cleaning needs to be much more thorough, and the extra beds need to be better.

The room and cleaning were fine, but one moment ruined the stay for me. A receptionist refused to let me use the hotel microwave, saying it was for staff and not guests. I’ve never had hotel staff treat me like that on any of my trips. Guests deserve respect and a bit of help, and this left such a bad impression that I won’t book here again when I’m in London. I’d tell anyone who wants a pleasant trip to choose somewhere with more helpful staff. One incident can spoil the whole mood. Shame on him.

The shower pressure was the best I’ve ever had, and the coffee machine was brilliant, with free coffee whenever we wanted it. The terrace was also a lovely quiet spot. Most of all, the staff made our London trip, especially Remo, who was so kind and helpful that we felt like we had a friend there. I really can’t recommend this place enough. 10/10.