Belmont & Astoria Hotel

We had to leave in the middle of the night and find another hotel because there was no reception. When I put my head on the bed, I started coughing intensely, then developed wheezing and chest pain. It got worse and left me with a serious chest issue, a persistent irritated chest, and a cough. There’s obviously something wrong, like mold. Absolutely shocking, the worst hotel I’ve ever stayed in. Not worth it.

The staff were kind and helpful, and let me leave my bags in the office before and after check-in, which felt secure enough. I’d use the place again for a short stay, as I didn’t mind the cozy room and the location was quiet. A few easy fixes, especially adding hooks, more practical outlets, and softer lighting, would make it much more comfortable. I had a single room with a shared bathroom for one night, on the top floor, I think the third. The narrow, winding stairs aren’t suitable if you struggle with stairs or have large luggage, unless you can get a lower-floor room. The room was clean enough and decently kept, but very tight, basically a single bed and a tiny table for the kettle. There were only two outlets behind the TV, awkward to reach. The kettle cord was too short, so I had to hold it up to plug it in. There was just one overhead light, and no hooks for towels or clothes. The bed was comfortable enough, though it looked cheap, with a mattress on a box spring and no frame, which seems hard to clean properly. The linens were clean apart from a few stray hairs. It was warm, so I appreciated being able to open the window. A fan, hairdryer, and iron were provided, as were tea and coffee, a toothbrush, soap, slippers, and towels. The shared bathroom was a floor and a half down, probably shared with just one other room. It was always free when I needed it and had a secure lock. It was clean enough, with a frosted window for airflow, a small bench for clothes, and a shelf above the sink. The shower had good pressure and plenty of hot water, though it took a little while to heat up. The hand soap had run out, but there were extra mini bars of soap. Filling the kettle and my water bottle at the small sink was awkward. I used my clean tea mug to transfer water into the kettle, then poured some into the bottle before heating the rest. The room doors had very loud locks when they closed.

We had a fantastic time at the Belmont Hotel on Sussex Gardens and will definitely return. The location is great, right by Paddington and close to everything. The room was clean and comfortable, with all we needed. For a budget hotel, they went above and beyond with slippers, dental kits, and even fans, which were handy in the warmer weather. The staff were amazing, friendly, and helpful throughout.

We had to leave at 12:30 a.m. and find somewhere else to stay. Within half an hour of entering the room, we were coughing badly, possibly because of mildew or chemical fumes. The brothel next door was another issue, but the air in the room made the place feel like a real health and safety hazard. I can’t describe how dire the experience was.