The Craven Hotel

I’ve been to almost every U.S. state and more than ten countries in Europe, and this was by far the grossest hotel I’ve ever stayed in. There was mold in the shower, bugs all over the floor, a sink that wouldn’t drain, inches of dust on the window, and a terrible mattress. I wouldn’t recommend anyone stay here. Honestly, they should donate this garbage to homeless people, who might appreciate it, because paying tourists don’t deserve such awful hospitality.

The stained mattress was disgusting, with barely any cushioning and every spring easy to feel. The room was small, as expected, but the carpet and walls were stained too. Each of us got just one thin pillow. The walls were so thin that we heard full conversations and the neighboring room’s bathroom schedule. We arrived about an hour and a half before the 3 p.m. check-in time, and they wouldn’t let us leave our luggage without paying. The door didn’t seal properly, so hallway light came in all night. There was a tiny TV with no remote, and pressing its button didn’t turn it on. The shower head sprayed in every direction. The door didn’t seal, then fell apart when I opened it. We got only two body towels, one each, with no hand, face, or floor towels to catch the water. I’m easygoing about hotels and can tolerate a lot, but this was one of the worst I’ve stayed in. I’m shocked it hasn’t been shut down and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

A basic hotel with small rooms and a miniature-style bathroom. The mattresses need replacing. On the plus side, there’s an elevator and Wi-Fi. It’s easy to reach from Paddington station and the bus stops on Bayswater Road, and Oxford Circus is a 30-minute walk away.

The location is really good, and I’d stay here again. The room was fairly clean but felt worn, and the bed was okay, though it could use a better pillow. The sheets and towels were nice and clean. I liked being able to open the window. You get what you pay for.