The Ridgemount Hotel

The rooms are small, with just one free wall socket and no desk. There are coat hangers and a small TV, though, and the double bed is a good size and comfortable. The en suite was standard and well maintained. I asked for a quiet room and got one. Even though the hotel is on a main road, there was very little noise in my upper floor room in winter. Breakfast was great. There's no dinner service, so you'll need to order in or head down the road, where there are plenty of options. Free coffee is available from the lobby machine. I stayed at the Ridgemount for two nights while taking professional exams at the nearby test centre. It was good value, clean, and the staff were fantastic and friendly. Special thanks to Harry at reception for keeping my bags safe on the last day and being so helpful throughout. I'd recommend it for a short stay. It's close to transport and the university, though I didn't get to use that proximity this time.

The mornings were a highlight, with an outstanding English breakfast served in a cozy room by charming, friendly women. The tea and coffee were very good too, and there's a free dispenser in the waiting room with hot drinks available anytime. Our four-person room on the third floor was spotless and spacious enough for us and our luggage. The beds were really comfortable, and we liked being able to open the windows and use the effective blackout blinds. The location is hard to beat: right in the center, close enough to walk to many major London museums and the West End, yet surprisingly quiet. It's a historic building, so there isn't a lift and it has the traditional two-tap setup, but those quirks add to its character. We loved staying at The Ridgemount Hotel and would definitely return. Strongly recommend it to friends visiting London!

At £90 a night, the location made this good value. I wouldn't consider it for more than £120, though. The cleanliness was surprising despite thick carpet everywhere, and there was no bad smell. In my experience, this one-star place was even better than the nearby so-called five-star The Academy hotel, where I stayed on another trip and paid double or triple. The room was really small, and with no lift, heavy luggage could be a struggle. There's no air conditioning, so peak summer could be tough, though the central heating is nice in cooler weather. If you're a light sleeper, ask for a room that doesn't face the street. I couldn't sleep the first night even with earplugs. The bedding was comfortable. The English breakfast was okay, but not especially tasty. I'd call it a one-star bed and breakfast.

The triple room had very comfortable beds and the hotel was spotless. Staff and owners were super friendly. The price included a full English breakfast, and the service was excellent. There's no kettle in the room, but a free vending machine is downstairs. We booked at the last minute for a theatre trip, and the location made getting around easy, with theatres and tube stations within walking distance. Good value for London.