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from the Gower Street hotel pack. It has simple, quirky charm, from the 1940s-style phone on the painted sign out front, to the clean and contemporary look of the public areas. Bedrooms are comfortable, if basic, and the double-glazed windows keep the noise at bay (in addition to road noise, there are two university campuses within a block). Light sleepers may still prefer a room overlooking the little garden at the back. Pros: friendly staff; check-in from 7 am; good location for museums and theaters. Cons: some rooms are very small; few services. TripAdvisor: “very good value,” “a real mixed experience,” “cleaner than a hospital.” | 83 Gower St., Bloomsbury | WC1E 6HJ | 020/7636–2115 | www.arosfalondon.com | 15 rooms | In-room: no a/c, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: bar | MC, V | Breakfast | Goodge St.

Celtic Hotel.

£ | Here you’ll find a clean and comfortable budget accommodation with basic amenities; at this writing, a two-year renovation of the bedrooms was coming to an end, providing a few much-needed improvements like new TVs and Wi-Fi in all the rooms. Cheaper rooms, however, still don’t have their own bathrooms, so make sure to specify what you want when booking. The staff is friendly and helpful, and can recommend good restaurants and pubs nearby. The best advertisement for this hotel is the fact that many guests are regulars who come back again and again, drawn by the location near the British Museum and London’s West end. Pros: good prices; friendly service; handy location at the edge of Bloomsbury. Cons: no-frills approach means few extras; cheaper rooms don’t have private bathrooms. TripAdvisor: “building was very secure,” “staff was friendly and helpful,” “service was excellent.” | 61–63 Guilford St., Bloomsbury | WC1N 1DD | 0207/837–6737 | 35 rooms | In-room: no a/c, no phone. In-hotel: Wi-Fi hotspot | MC, V | Breakfast | Station: Russell Sq.

Charlotte Street Hotel.

££££–£££££ | On a busy street in the media hub around Soho, this hotel fuses the modern and traditional with real style. Bedrooms are beautifully decorated with unique printed fabrics by designer and owner Kit Kemp. Each bathroom is lined with gleaming granite and oak, with walk-in showers and deep baths, and a flat-screen TV so you can catch up on the news while you soak with exclusive products by London perfumer Miller Harris. The restaurant, Oscar, is excellent for European cuisine, and the bar is a trendy local hangout. There’s a public screening room for the Sunday-night dinner-and-film club or you might want to indulge in afternoon tea by the fire in the spacious drawing room. Pros: elegant, luxurious; great attention to detail. Cons: the popular bar can be noisy; reservations are necessary for the restaurant. TripAdvisor: “perfect London hideaway,” “rooms are nice but no view,” “cozy and elegant.” | 15 Charlotte St., Bloomsbury | W1P 1HB | 020/7806–2000, 800/553–6674 in U.S. | www.charlottestreethotel.com | 46 rooms, 6 suites | In-room: safe, refrigerator, DVD, Wi-Fi. In-hotel: restaurant, room service, bar, gym, laundry service | AE, DC, MC, V | Goodge St.

Crescent Hotel London.

££ | On one of Bloomsbury’s grand old squares, the Crescent is a friendly, attractive B&B. Rooms are small and simply decorated in cheery colors, and while the overall effect is somewhat utilitarian, the basics are well covered. Bathrooms are tiny—some have a bath and shower, others only a bath, so if you have a preference, ask when you book. Breakfasts are big and hearty. You can use the tennis courts and private gardens in the square—great for picnics on a sunny day. Pros: lovely, convenient location; friendly staff. Cons: basic decor; no elevator. TripAdvisor: “strictly for travelers,” “comfortable with modern amenities,” “clean and well located.” | 49–50 Cartright Gardens, Bloomsbury | WC1H 9EL | 020/7387–1515 | www.crescenthoteloflondon.com | 27 rooms, 10 with bath | In-room: no a/c, Internet. In-hotel: tennis court | MC, V | Breakfast | Russell Sq.

Fodor’s Choice | The Generator, London.

£ | This is where the young, enthusiastic traveler comes to find fellow partyers.