Royal National Hotel

A shocking experience! First, on arrival we find a large piece of exrement in the toilet, presumably from the previous occupant. Second, the bedspread has a huge clearly visible stain on it. I don't want to guess what it was. I complained and we were given a different room - different but really not much better. The hotel is built around 4 sides so all rooms overlook the hotel's square courtyard and entrance. On the corner is a pub and below hotel windows, a 'meeting place'. Result? Don't expect to sleep between say 10pm to 4am because of horrendous noise, screams, shouting, etc. Breakfast time...Breakfast room supervisor comes screaming hysterically toward my wife and I (a la Basil Fawlty without the humour). Apparently we have 'the wrong colour trays' (?!). Other staff and guests look on stunned. Stay here at your peril, I kid you not.

This place should be avoided! It's got a good location, near the tube, but it's too big and way too noisy!

Small rooms, and when somebody walks by on the corridor, you can pretty much hear what they're saying, not even mentioning the paperthin walls between the rooms. If you're booked on the road side, good luck trying to sleep.

As with all London hotels, grossly overpriced and not worth it at all! Avoid this if you can.

The hotel is really very basic. The room is very small, two twin beds and a TV on desk. That's almost every you will get for 85 pounds per day. For me I think it's a big price, but I'm not sure how it compares with other hotels in London. The building is huge!!! There are so many small rooms close next to each other, it makes me feel depressed walking there. When we checked in around 3pm, the hall is full of people, I have never seen any hotel like that before. They offer a free continental breakfast, however I think it's the worst breakfast I ever had.

Unique Quality: The hotel is very convenient. It's walking distance to the British Museum. It's also close to the tube which direct comes from London Heathrow airport. Since it's in Zone 1, you may also buy a one day pass for Zone1 and Zone2 which costs 4.7 pounds and can lead you to most sightsees in London.

Directions: Take P tube from Heathrow airport to Russell square.

Just booked this hotel at short notice, from VT tips.
I was swayed by the price and location £66 single room near Russel Sq tube stn, as we'd arrived @ St Pancras, and our conference was a couple of mins away, it sounded ideal so I booked! I then read the comments from other VTers who'd stayed, and felt a bit worried, Scruffy/shabby/noisy were a few of the comments!

Well. we booked in, had a bit of a wait as a Japanese tour bus had just pulled in, but another desk soon opened and within a few mins, we were being sorted out with keys etc by a friendly, efficient member of staff.

When I eventually got into my room, it was warm, clean and comfortable, with the choice of 3 beds!

En suite bathroom, TV, tea tray etc.
Full English Breakfast, newspaper etc!

Bar downstairs was bit noisy, there's The London Pub, slightly off site too! which I believe serves food..

Euro Supermarket opposite which appeared to be open til at least midnight, and opened @ 0700hrs, for food, cigs, alcohol etc.

Shops in the foyer for tacky souvenirs, essentials, and clothing. Booth to buy sightseeing tours or tickets for West End Shows

Unique Quality: Ideally placed for sightseeing, nearby tube station, sightseeing tours stop outside, bus route to/from Heathrow.

Good Value for money

A big and busy hotel with small rooms.

Unique Quality: In a central place with a nice dining room. A good price for a London Hotel.

Directions: In a central place, near russel square, the British Museum and several restaurants

I booked the Royal National through BA Holidays, being that I am a student, I was looking for a good deal, and decided on the Royal National over a hostel since it was only a few dollars more expensive.

However, I later read reviews that portrayed the hotel as being a dump. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived. The hotel is very busy, but the room I was given was nice and clean and comfortable. I have no complaints about the room, in fact I was given two beds, when I only needed one, so that was nice.

Free breakfast is given, it's simple, but it's nice to have it. The location of the hotel is a great plus, and considering how expensive London is, I was really happy to get my own hotel room for such a good price in such a great location. It's located only a few minutes from the Tube, and you can even walk to the Thames in 20 minutes.

Unique Quality: Great location

Directions: Take the Tube to Russell Square on the Piccadilly Line, after exiting, make a left, and then go right up Southampton Row, you will see it's large sign on the left side of the street.

I booked this Hotel via BA hotel offer.
It is supposed to be one of BA's favorite choice. We stayed there last month (nov 2003) for a day and it was like a dump!
this place need a renovation!
Too Buzy at the lobby and noisy as well!!
I just dont get it why BA chose this hotel atstheir fav?? And it's not cheap either 90 euro per room for double! It makes YMCA looks..err cheap!
Suggestion: we prefer B&B London Hotel

Unique Quality: can i consider sliding a key card to open teh door instead of using key unique??

Directions: hail a cab to hotel

ROYAL NATIONAL HOTEL - This 6 floor hotel is the largest in Central London and offers an ideal base for those who want to explore London. Set between some of London's beautiful garden squares, it is within walking distance of:

Covent Garden, Oxford Street, London's Theatre Land, Piccadilly Circus. There is also easy access to all of London's public transportation systems:
Russell Square underground station connects directly to Heathrow airport.
The Heathrow airbus stops in the hotel courtyard.
Taxis drive into the hotel courtyard.

Mainline railway stations are nearby - Euston, St Pancras, Kings Cross.
All bedrooms are equipped with: En suite bathroom, Satellite TV & Radio, Direct dial telephone and Tea/coffee making facilities. There is a Pavilion Bar, Self Service Restaurant, Gift shops, a bureau de change, a variety of bars and restaurants, including a Chinese restaurant and a traditional English pub. Health Club with swimming pool facilites are avaliable.
Single: £ 66
Double/Twin: £ 84
Triple: £101 (Price includes a Continental Breakfast and VAT.)

Unique Quality: A three star hotel. Fairly reasonably priced. Self service breakfast at room level. Mostly budget travellers book in and find the location very convenient.

Unique Quality: This is a no frills hotel with adequate facilities and relatively cheap accomodation. A lot of students and back-packers seem to congregate here. It is near to a subway station and bus-stop as well so it is quite a good choice if you are on a budget.

Directions: Bloomsbury Park Hotel, Forete Crest Bloomsbury, Morton Hotel.