Smart Camden Inn

The private ensuite room was basic and small, but it was ideal as a base for exploring Camden. There are big shared spaces and a kitchen, and we found the whole place very clean. Staff are on site 24 hours a day. It’s a 5 mins walk from 2 tube stations and less than 10mins walk to Camden itself. We’d definitely stay again.

Smart Camden Inn has a great location close to Camden Market and public transport, which is convenient. The rooms are extremely small and the whole place feels cramped. The toilets were tight and didn’t even have soap. There’s an extra fee just to store luggage, which seems unnecessary, and the narrow stairs are difficult to manage, especially with bags. The triple bunk beds leave almost no headroom, so they’re uncomfortable and impractical. The facilities and comfort really need improvement.

The staff broke into privet lockers, went through the locks and stole whatever they wanted. The beds were like something out of a prison, with sheets, duvets and pillows stained with bodily fluids. Showers were mouldy, and there were brown stains and hair on the beds. I found wet cotton and used earplugs covered in earwax in my bed. In another room, someone found a French “death note”. The breakfast food was stale, and some vending machine items hadn’t been changed in years. This is the worst place I’ve ever stayed. If I could give it a lower rating, I would in a heartbeat.

The blonde receptionist was nice, but the cleaners who oversee breakfast made the dining room incredibly uncomfortable. They were always whispering to each other and staring at everyone. The lockers were noisy, the bathroom was horrifically small, and it was always wet because you sit on the toilet with your knees in the shower. They also overcharge for breakfast, towels and other things. It was clean, reasonably priced and in a good location. Fine if you’re in a pinch, but I wouldn’t recommend staying as long as we did.