Thistle Bloomsbury Park Hotel, London

While this is not a luxury hotel, it is more than adequate for a stay in London where your main intent is to visit museums, shops, and other sites. The room is small by American standards, but it was clean with fresh linens every day. There is a tea/coffee tray (look in wardrobe) and a small en-suite bathroom with good water pressure and warm water in shower. The toilets are slow to flush, but there is currently a water shortage, so that's understandable. We had no problems with checking in or out. We left no valuables in the room, but other personal items were never disturbed or moved more than necessary. Our room was quiet and comfortable with 2 twin beds. We did not eat at the restaurant ($14 for buffet breakfast seemed a lot to us), but found great fresh pastries and cheap bottled water and other snacks at the Tesco shop down the street. The hotel location is superb--close to many restaurants, bus stops, banks, and tube stations. Cagney's and the Chinese noodle/dumpling restaurants were great. The main attraction to us was the British Museum, a pleasant 8-10 minute walk. There is another "Thistle Bloomsbury" hotel which is more expensive and fancier; the Bloomsbury Park is a Thistle Associate at present. Our only complaint was that the concierge, while genial, had a hard time speaking English and understanding our questions. He directed us to the "Hotel-link" which supposedly takes you from the hotel directly to Gatwick Airport for $38 per person. This is not the case--the Hotel-link van picks you up and takes you to the Gatwick Express train. Save your money by buying a Gatwick Express return (round trip ticket for about $45) and an Oyster card (unlimited use of buses and tube for 7 days in Central London, zones 1 and 2, for $44--this will get you everywhere). You'll arrive in London by the Gatwick Express at Victoria Station, from which you can take the tube or bus (with some transfers) to either Holburn Station or Russell Square and then to the hotel. Going home, take the 91 bus from the hotel to Holburn station and ride to Victoria for the Gatwick Express.

I was apprehensive about this hotel after reading several on-line reviews but the bottom line if you accept a few flaws in this older hotel, you�ll find it fine. If you are picky, you are likely to have issues with it. This hotel is a great location near Russell Square. It is in between the Russell Square and Holborn tube stops on Southhampton Way which is a busy city street with about any service or shopping you should need including a Chinese Herbalist that offers massages for a good price (never did make it in), a Starbucks next door, and a travel store just a few doors down. We got to the hotel about 1:00p and were able to check in at that time without problem. She said we had a twin room, meaning two beds, but quickly changed it when I said we wanted a room with a double bed. Check in was fast, professional, and courteous. The room was small and a bit awkwardly arranged but overall was clean and acceptable. They had an electric kettle with tea, coffee, and cookies available in the room. There was also a writing desk, a TV with limited stations. The only tricky part here was the bathroom. It did show the age of the hotel but overall was okay. The worse thing I can say was the shower area could have used some Tilex if not some retiling. The shower had GREAT water pressure. One review I had read commented on the toilet not flushing. I once experienced this, but when I said something to hubby he tried again and it worked fine. I believe in general, toilets in London need time to refill the tank for flushing. The one lift was out of service one night when we came back, but that was the only time in 4 days. I utilized their laundry service for a pair of pants. They were back a bit later then they said, but the pants that I was afraid were stained and ruined for life looked great. We did not partake in their breakfast buffet that they indicated would be a ₤10,95 since it was not included in our Priceline rate. We found pretty much the same buffet breakfast next door at Dean�s Brassiere for ₤5,95. For reference, we were charged ₤17,00 for the same buffet at our post cruise hotel (YIKES!) We also had breakfast from Starbucks and McDonald�s (near Holborn Station) while there. There is an alley behind the hotel that we kept hearing much laughter from each night until about 11:00p. Our final night we finally explored and discovered a couple of pubs plus a restaurant. All our gallivanting around London to find new food and it was literally in our own backyard. We ate at Cagney�s there and enjoyed the food at a decent rate by London standards. We probably would have tried the other establishments if had realized sooner they were there. We checked out at 8:00a and they gladly stored our bags, giving us a claim check, until we were ready to head for the airport at about 1:00p. Overall I would stay at this hotel again.

The comparatively best experience is location ...and you could have better choices in Oxford street or Marble Arch. Room is small with awful bathroom and facilities. No mini bar....safe in room.... don't expect! Don't choose this hotel as you have soooo many choices with almost the same price in more convenient places like Oxford street or Marble Arch. It's SO expensive for such hotel accomodation!