The Crown London Hotel, Cricklewood (Northwest London), WorldHotels Distinctive

JULI at the front desk really made the stay for us. She was welcoming, efficient and went out of her way to share great local recommendations. That kind of genuine hospitality is rare, and I'll remember Juli. You deserve a higher rank. The hotel itself was beautiful and well maintained too.

For business, the Crown is a good fit, and probably the better hotel in the area. I wouldn't bring my family here, though, it doesn't have that feel. I've stayed twice, four nights in total, and it does the job when you're here for work rather than pleasure. The hotel seems to be aiming for a premier standard but falls short. The rooms and service are okay, though the place feels dated. The gym is shocking, small, old and far from clean. Both times, there was a problem checking in, even though I had checked in online.

The area sometimes felt unsafe, which was the only real downside for me. There are plenty of fast food places and shops nearby, plus a bus stop right outside and a metro station about a 5-10 minute walk away. The staff were kind and helpful, and we liked our executive room, though other rooms may be different. The hall was a nice place to sit in the evening or eat takeout. I'd recommend the hotel, but women travelling alone should be cautious.

The reception and grand hall entrance are lovely, but things go downhill quickly. The car park is very tight, and the rooms are old-fashioned and dirty. The bar pumps only work for about 30 minutes a day if you want a drink. I stayed two weeks and tried breakfast once. It was so bad I wouldn't recommend eating it, though I checked each day to see if anything had changed after speaking with the manager. The shower head was tiny and dirty, and the bath tap didn't work at all. A very unpleasant stay. Unfortunately, work has me back for two days this week. Avoid.