The Dolphin - London

Paddington station is just a two-minute walk away, and the hotel was easy to find. For what we paid, it was excellent value. The building feels dated, but our room was clean and spacious, with good facilities and a great shower. All four of us slept really well: the bed was comfortable, the room temperature was just right, and it stayed quiet overnight. Breakfast was included. We had scrambled eggs and toast, plus a really nice latte in the breakfast room. Thank you :)

The bathroom was very clean, and the central location was great. But passing trains made the building shake, so bring earplugs. What really bothered me was the hotel's refusal to help with a booking mistake. I spotted the honest error straight away and told them three weeks before the date, yet their response was basically that it wasn't their problem. I don't care what the fine print says, a mistake caught immediately should be fixable. Hotels that won't offer any flexibility shouldn't expect a high rating.

We stayed for five nights in mid-July as a family of three, and we'd book here again if we return to London. The room was cleaned and serviced every day, and we were especially pleased with how comfortable and clean everything was. Beds were very comfortable, the shower pressure was excellent, and the compact ensuite bathroom was roomier than we'd expected. Having a fridge and fan helped in the summer heat. The hotel is on a quiet street, with a lovely park right across from it, and Paddington station is under a five-minute walk away. It's a classic building with nice decor. The 24-hour desk was helpful when we arrived late, and breakfast was very good by British standards. Since we were leaving later in the day, secure luggage storage was useful. Top marks for comfort and cleanliness.

The location was the one good thing, but I won't stay here again. Don't come with luggage if you can help it, there isn't a lift. My room was at the very top, stuffy, and had a tiny bed that wasn't even against the wall. I kept falling out, and the sheets and pillows slid down too. Honestly, it was one of my worst stays. I think I'd rather have slept at Paddington station.