London (Fodor's 2012) - Fodor's [133]
HOLBORN
Fodor’s Choice | Renaissance Chancery Court.
££££–£££££ | This landmark structure, built by the Pearl Assurance Company in 1914, houses a beautiful Marriott hotel; so striking is the architecture that the building was featured in the film Howards End. The spacious bedrooms are popular with business travelers and the decor has a masculine edge—lots of leather and dark-red fabrics, with luxurious mattresses. The day spa in the basement is a peaceful cocoon. There’s marble everywhere, from the floors in public spaces and the massive staircase to the in-room bathrooms. The restaurant, Pearl, is known for its Modern European cuisine, and the bar, in an old banking hall, has elegant soaring ceilings. Pros: gorgeous space; great spa; your every need catered to. Cons: area is deserted at night and on weekends. TripAdvisor: “bathroom was large and spotlessly clean,” “rooms were spacious and relatively quiet,” “great base for tourists visiting London.” | 252 High Holborn, Holborn | WC1V 7EN | 020/7829–9888 | www.marriott.com | 342 rooms, 14 suites | In-room: a/c, safe, refrigerator, Internet. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, gym, spa, laundry service | AE, MC, V | Holborn
SACO Serviced Apartments, Holborn.
£££–££££ | Down a quiet backstreet, a 10-minute walk from the British Museum, these fully serviced apartments are ideal for those who fancy living more like locals during their stay—not that many Londoners could afford to live in a place like this. The dated exterior won’t win any design awards, but the apartments themselves are spacious, modern and extremely well equipped. Each has its own kitchen (with dishwasher and washing machine) and those on the top floor have large decked terraces that look down onto the street; ideal for a morning coffee or spot of al fresco dining. A maid cleans the apartments once a week, and there’s a staffed reception area, but otherwise you’re pretty much left to your own devices. However, there are plenty of good restaurants and bars in the neighborhood, and the nearest grocery store is a block away. Who needs room service? Pros: more independence than hotels; freedom from having to eat in restaurants all the time. Cons: not everyone wants to buy groceries on vacation.TripAdvisor: “bathroom is quite narrow,” “modern and roomy,” “spacious living area.” | 82 Lamb’s Conduit St.,Holborn | WC1N 3LT | 0207/269–9930 | www.sacoapartments.co.uk | 30 apartments (mixture of studios, 1, 2, and 3 bed) | In-room: no a/c, kitchen, Internet, TV, DVD. In-hotel: laundry service, parking | MC, V | Russell Sq. | 2:C3.
BLOOMSBURY AND LEGAL LONDON
Alhambra Hotel.
£ | One of the best bargains in Bloomsbury, this family-run hotel has singles as low as £50 and doubles as low as £60; the place is not fancy, but it certainly is cheap. Rooms are small and the look is dated, but they’re definitely good value. All rooms have a TV and tea/coffeemakers, but that’s about it—you even have to ask for an alarm clock—although guests do have access to free Wi-Fi. Pros: low price; friendly service; great location. Cons: very much a no-frills option; some rooms have shared bathrooms. TripAdvisor: “very clean and comfortable,” “rooms small by American standards,” “good value.” | 17–19 Argyle St., Bloomsbury | WC1H 8EJ | 020/7837–9575 | www.alhambrahotel.com | 52 rooms | In-room: no a/c, no phone, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: parking (paid) | AE, MC, V | Breakfast | King’s Cross
Arosfa Hotel.
££ | The friendly owners and interesting historical background (the property once was the home of pre-Raphaelite painter Sir John Everett Millais) sets this B&B apart