Bridge Park

The room wasn’t fancy, but given the circumstances it was alright. I was here for a conference at Wembley Arena, about 20 minutes away by bus. For the center of London, I could walk a bit farther to a metro station, then it was about an hour’s trip. The staff were really good, keeping an eye on who came and went.

There’s free private parking for hotel guests behind the building, plus a large restaurant and tables outside at the back. The receptionist is a nice guy. I’ve stayed here a few times and found it good, nice and clean. I’ve also posted a video on YouTube, just search for Bridge Park Hotel, 16 Hillside, Brent, London, NW10 8BN - 25.06.2025.

The two stars are for the pleasant staff, sheets that seemed clean and fresh, and, luckily, no bed bugs. Free parking was a bonus, and check-in was quick. The reception area was fine too. Beyond that, this felt like the very definition of a budget hotel. I sometimes read one-star reviews and think people are being entitled or dramatic, but this time I can see why someone might write one. I’m not sure whether the hotel describes itself as budget. Outside, it looks like an old, neglected pub, with barely legible signage and no clear indication of where to turn or park. It’s in an offshoot neighborhood, across from a generic chicken takeaway. The guest corridors and stairs make the building’s age obvious, and it needs work in a way that isn’t charming. We booked a double room with an en-suite because we’d read bad things about the shared bathroom. Instead, we ended up in a musty, dusty basement room that felt noticeably cold as soon as we walked in. The handle was loose and wobbly. At £53 a night, it became clear why it was cheap for London. The heating was on maximum but barely warm, and the mattress was very thin and hard, with springs I could feel all day. There was no hand soap in the bathroom, just a small bottle of body wash in the bath, which we used. The TV was tiny and far from the bed, so it wasn’t enjoyable to watch. Inside the cupboard area where the spare pillow was kept, there was mold. The walls were dirty and cracked, and the dim lighting made the room feel dark and depressing. It was certainly an experience. The basement window had all sorts of rubbish outside it, including a used nappy. That part isn’t the hotel’s fault, but it was still there. I hope this honest review helps someone make an informed decision.

We had a bed, but after spending so much of the night leaning out of the window, it hardly felt like our basic needs had been met. The cigarette smell in the room was overwhelming. There’s a sign saying smoking on the premises is illegal, but the smell came back whenever we shut the window or had been out for a while. We had to stick our heads out of the window several times during the night. That could be dangerous for people with respiratory issues, so think twice. The towels stank of old washing and grease, and we couldn’t bring ourselves to use them. The bathrooms were also filthy: mold, limescale, yellow gunk on the sink, and urine and pubic hair on the toilet seats. The date and time checks were filled in, but the bathrooms hadn’t been cleaned. It felt like someone just popped their head in to sign the checks and left the mess behind. At that point it seemed more like a health hazard than a hotel. You expect basics like a bed, a toilet, a bathroom and running water when you book a room, but this place let us down repeatedly over our two-night stay. I don’t recommend it. You can get better for the price, and it’s no wonder the booking is non-refundable when they know what they’re providing.