Lancaster Gate Hotel, London

AVOID the Lancaster Gate Hotel for the next two years. This is because there is a major construction occurring directly opposite. This construction site resulted in us being subjected to to extremely loud noise, including constant groaning of a heavy industrial compressor from 6.30am to 9pm, even on the weekend, during our three day/two night stay. The construction directly opposite also meant no room privacy, so we had to keep the curtains closed at all times. When we mentioned the major problems caused by the construction the within hours of us arriving the hotel staff told us that this had been going on for the past two years and will continue for another two years! Furthermore the paper thin walls also meant that once the construction noise ceased for a few hours, we were woken at 1am by our next door guests, with their chatting, their television and then their snoring, Overall we left finished our three day/ two day stay here exhausted and feeling ripped off...the hotel management know they are taking money for a service they cannot provide (the very pleasant hotel staff admitted that they are fully aware that there is a major ongoing problem for their guests). This area is a great location for a London break and there are plenty of other hotels in this area which will give you the healthy and peaceful comfort that is missing at Lancaster Gate Hotel.

I was irked at being charged an amount higher than what was on my confirmation when I made my reservation. I didn't notice this until I was at the airport and it took several phone calls to get the hotel to fix this error and from the start, I was never asked for my confirmation number, which would have helped to discover the error sooner than later. Please make sure to check your reservation confirmation before you sign your bill upon checking out. This incident is what lowers my value rating because I have to pay additionally for the phone calls to the hotel. The hotel seems to have inconsistent service. I have come across reviews where fellow travelers had a wonderful experience. I seemed to have gotten the opposite experience where it mattered most in a hotel stay. I was able to check in early (before their stated time of 3PM) but I had to wait 30 minutes instead of the 15 minutes that I was told and was largely ignored until the person at the reception remembered to check with housekeeping. The building is older and the refurbishment seems to be ongoing. While I was lucky not to get any leaks or have cracks in the walls of my room, the drains were constantly going at night whenever I tried to go asleep. This was usually around 10PM. Do expect smaller rooms than what you might find in North America. The best part of this hotel is the location. You are right across the street from Hyde Park, walking distance of Kensington Palace, three all-night bus routes that take you over to Oxford Street, Portobello Road, or Kensington High Street/Knightsbridge area to Harrod's, Royal Albert Hall, and the Victoria and Albert Museum. Lancaster Gate tube station (Central Line) is a few minutes walk and that will connect you to all the other means of transportation to the majority of the sights that you want to visit. There isn't much of a choice of restaurants nearby other than The Swan pub. You'll have to go to Notting Hill Gate or Oxford Street for that. I did pay the extra 30 pounds for internet access and had no problems with that. The wifi was very consistent, though it is managed by an external company. I was also happy with the selection of TV channels available. It would have been worth the money had my service been better. This is a clean, basic hotel on a quiet street.

The Park Inn is an older hotel in a prime location. It is between two Underground Stations, near many great ethnic restaurants, and a block from Hyde Park. The staff is great, the rooms clean and the beds comfortable. Rooms in the USA may be larger, but this one was fine.

The Park Inn Hyde Park is a solid three star hotel. Nothing luxurious, just basic. Small rooms, small bathrooms, but a very nice staff, helpful staff and a pleasant location...5 minute walk to the Lancaster Gate tube stop and Hyde Park just a minute or two away. The breakfast experience can leave something to be desired but the coffee and basics are good. All that talk about paper thin walls worried me, but our second floor room was quiet ( as well as clean ).

The location is good for a walk in the park and for tube access - also on main bus route to Oxford Street. It was clean and warm, and is situated on a quiet street. Breakfast was a bit of a problem with overcrowding, and breakfast food wasn't topped up (buffet) as often as it could have been - the staff were very rushed off their feet and didn't seem to cope with the amount of breakfast guests. Wifi access was £10 for 24 hours but free in the lobby.

We got a great deal on this place ($80) through British Airways. Unfortunately, the fine print failed to mention that the room would have two twin beds, but the hotel was nice enough to upgrade us. Service and location was fine, and the room itself was in good condition.

We were bumped to this hotel because the tour company overbooked. We expected more from this hotel because of its location. There are no porters and makes it hard to pull your luggage because the hotel has about 4-5 stair steps to get in the lobby. Really cramped room. When your luggage is open, there's no space to move around. Bathroom tub has a rather large crack on the side that it looked like someone kicked it or pryed it open. It was disgusting. And we could not be moved to another room because the hotel was fully occupied. Some members of our tour was being picked up at 7am early to be transported to the airport. They asked for a boxed breakfast because the continental breakfast is included on what we paid for and the restaurant doesn't open until 7:30am for them to eat breakfast. They asked the manager but he did not offer anything. He just said he doesn't know anything about it and offered no alternative. However, the manager was helpful in recommending a good Italian restaurant within walking distance from the hotel. The location is not close to shopping centers or a restaurant row.