The Z Hotel Holborn

We visited during a heatwave, so coming back to a room with properly cold, working air conditioning made a big difference after sightseeing. The room was comfortable too. The hotel is near the train station, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and other conveniences close by. We had a great stay, would return, and would recommend it as a comfortable, handy base in London.

For two people staying one night, the small room worked fine. There isn't much room for a large case, but the bed was comfortable, the shower pressure was great, and there were tea and coffee facilities. A nice little hotel, as long as you know the rooms are compact. The AC and heater never worked during our stay. We reported it at check-in and were told it needed resetting and should be fixed in 30 minutes. After we went out, it was still broken when we got back in the early hours. When we raised it again, they could only offer a plug-in oil heater. It helped a bit, but the room was still cold and there wasn't really space for it. I mentioned it again when checking out, but they didn't seem too concerned. Without that problem, I'd have given five stars.

We found the hotel clean and well placed for a stopover, a theatre or dinner, or spending the day around central London on a budget. Our room was small, but functional and really clean, and the price was competitive for the area. Arnold checked us in and clearly showed us the right lift for our floor. During our stay, Arnold, Christy, Pavithra, and Victoria all worked hard to make guests comfortable. Thanks to them and the whole team.

This felt like a hostel stay with an upgrade. The windowless room was a shoebox, with no fridge, proper desk, or chair. The lobby makes up for some of that with quick WiFi, infused water, and comfortable cafe-style seating. It's an interesting set of tradeoffs, with a three-star hotel feel, two-star rooms, and a four-star lobby. I also think the prices change a lot depending on nearby events and demand.