Wardonia Hotel Kings Cross

We’ve stayed at the Wardonia several times, usually for an overnight stop before the Eurostar or a coach to the airport, or after a theatre visit. For that purpose it’s perfectly adequate. Staff have been friendly and helpful. The rooms are small, but the hotel is upfront about that when you book. Ours was very clean, with fresh bedding, a clean shower and toilet, and tea-making facilities. It was as quiet as you’d expect for a hotel in this location. There’s no breakfast or dining area, which is also made clear, but plenty of places to eat are within a few minutes’ walk. If you just need a bed, toilet and shower within easy reach of Kings Cross or St Pancras Stations, it’s ideal.

The one real advantage is the location, about a 5-minute walk from St Pancras and Kings Cross. I’d stayed here in 2012, but only remembered that once I arrived. This time I was travelling with someone and we had large suitcases, which were hard to manoeuvre through the halls and up the tiny stairs. It feels more like a hostel than a traditional hotel, though the prices don’t reflect that. The double bed we paid for definitely wasn’t a double. Even sleeping top and tail, we couldn’t both fit without one of us constantly falling out. We took turns on the floor, but there was so little room that we had to tuck our legs underneath the bed. The double room might be okay for a lone man having a night out and not being fussy about where he sleeps before travelling. I wouldn’t recommend it to women travelling alone, and staying as a couple was pretty grim. The bathroom is so small your feet are in the shower while you’re sitting on the loo. It’s not suitable if you’re claustrophobic or have mobility issues. The staff seem to get a lot of grief, because they actively avoid engaging unless they have to. There’s no small talk, or even a returned “good morning.” We made do, but on our return we stayed at Travel Lodge instead, so we could breathe and relax. It was half the price, had about 20 times the floor space and a bed that fit two people comfortably. It felt like absolute luxury by comparison.

We slept really well here. The bed was very comfortable, and the room stayed at a nice temperature. Ours even had a type c plug. It was small, but fine for what we needed. St. Pancras and King's Cross are only a couple of minutes away on foot, and you can walk into the city centre too. The area was quiet outside at night. When we're back in London, we'd stay here again for the good value.

I only stayed one night, but it went well. The room was compact, comfortable and very clean, with none of the damp smell I’d found at two other hotels on the same street. The internet was good, and I slept soundly. I’m not sure how warm it gets in winter, though, since the windows aren’t double-glazed. The location is what you’re paying for, and that’s why I chose it. Still, I’ve paid more for hotels that weren’t any better. The young men at the desk were really friendly at both check-in and departure, and they let me leave my luggage before check-in without any trouble.