Russell Hotel

Hotel Russell

Hotel Class: 4 out of 5 stars4 Stars - 14 Reviews and 977 Opinions

Russell Square, London, WC1B 5BE, United Kingdom

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75%

of people enjoy staying here

3.5 our of 5 stars 991 Opinions

Excellent
 
198
Very Good
 
331
Average
 
218
Poor
 
138
Terrible
 
105

Our Members Say

  • SassyMcPeaches profile photo
  • Reviews: 29

5 out of 5 starsUser Rating

Gorgeous!

Absolutely lovely, but you'll pay for it! If you can afford to splurge, I'd wholeheartedly recommend this hotel. It provides luxury while refusing to sacrifice the flavor of London. It's possible to snag a good deal during the winter months.

  • Opinion of Price: about average
  • Related to: Luxury Travel
Russell Hotel

Russell Hotel


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  • toonsarah profile photo
  • Reviews: 2396

3 out of 5 starsUser Rating

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Traditional style in a great location

As a Londoner I rarely have the opportunity to test out any of the city’s very numerous hotels, but a conference for work recently led to me spending the night at the Russell in Bloomsbury – a hotel I had passed loads of times but never had occasion to enter. Its attractive red brick facade dominates the east side of Russell Square, and I found the entrance equally attractive, with warm lighting and an old-fashioned but well-maintained air.

My single room was fairly small but had all the essentials including a TV, coffee- and tea- making facilities (but no biscuits!), a trouser press, desk (with broadband access at a cost) and adequate hanging space. The bathroom was spacious with a full size bath and the usual range of toiletries.

Downstairs the bar is cosy and welcoming, and the restaurant offers a good buffet breakfast. We also had a dinner here, but I never judge a hotel by its corporate catering as this is likely to be below its usual standard (though in this case it was better than average).

The hotel’s location is excellent - very near Russell Square tube station, with the attractive Square itself opposite, and walking distance to Covent Garden, Oxford Street shopping and Leicester Square for theatre district. Bloomsbury is a safe and attractive area with many hotels, pubs and restaurants, and would make a great base for a London stay.

I didn’t pay for my room, but the hotel’s website (below) quotes prices of between £80 and £170 a night for a double room depending on date. Weekends are much cheaper than weekdays, and online booking cheaper still.

  • Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
Russell Hotel Photo: The Russell Hotell

Russell Hotel Photo: The Russell Hotell


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  • imeley profile photo
  • Reviews: 65

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

Hotel next to the Russel Square Tube Station



Unique Quality: This hotel is next to the Russel tube station. It is facing the Russel Square. You can walk to the
British Museum by foot. The streets are lined with small cozy hotel. If you prefer to take the tube for exploring London, no problem, just take a tube and you'll be in Picadilly, Oxford, Camdem, Waterloo Station and etc.

  • Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
Russell Hotel

Russell Hotel


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  • pieter_jan_v profile photo
  • Reviews: 3600

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

At Russell Square

Horel Russel is a classic Victorian hotel with 373 rooms.

The lobby has a splendid original mosaic floor.

Hotel Facilities:
- Business Center
- Disabled Facilities
- Meeting Rooms
- Concierge Services
- Internet Access
- Conference Facilities
- 24 hour Reception
- Bar
- Close to City Centre
- Elevator/Lift
- Dry Cleaning
- Dining Room

Room Facilities:
- Radio
- Air Conditioning
- Hair dryer
- Trouser press
- Ensuite bathroom
- In-room safe
- Tea/Coffee making
- Direct Telephone
- Room Service
- Premium Movies
- In-room Internet Access
- Cable - Satellite TV

  • Opinion of Price: N/A
  • Related to: Arts and Culture, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons, Luxury Travel
Russell Hotel Photo: Hotel Russell London

Russell Hotel Photo: Hotel Russell London


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  • clray profile photo
  • Reviews: 7

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

Russell Hotel, London

I took my mother to London - a lifelong dream. We chose the Russell as a mid-price hotel on our package choice. We stayed at the Russell for 1 week, then boarded the 'Silver Arrow' for a tour of England and Scotland. Then back to the Russell before returning to the US.

When we arrived at the Russell, we were first given a very small room. We were NOT impressed. The door would not even close. After calling the desk, we were moved to another room - better - twin beds and a roomy bathroom. The window opened onto the interior 'square' - not much of a view but it was a plesant stay. We were there in July of -94 during a real heat wave. There was no A/C but the hotel provided a fan when we asked.

We left the Russell for a week. Upon our return, for the SAME PRICE, we were given a HUGE room on the third floor overlooking the front of the hotel and Russell Square across the street. This room had huge windows and a huge wonderful bathroom. If we had known a room of this calibre existed at the same rates, we would have insisted on staying in this room for the week prior!!!

The location of the Russell was not central to London but was right around the corner from the Russell Square tube station and was easy access to anywhere we wanted to go!

I would definitely stay here again!

Unique Quality: The full breakfast was wonderful!

  • Opinion of Price: about average

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  • JulesH profile photo
  • Reviews: 243

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

The oldest purpose built hotel in London

I have stayed here occasionally when I've had a conference or an early start at work as this used to be just across the road from my office when I worked in Russell Square. It may seem expensive, but it is really no worse than many hotels anywhere in central London and is defintely a very pleasant experience. The hotel has some real character, which you spot as soon as you walk through the doors. The first thing you notice as you walk in is the huge sweeping grand staircase leading upstairs. The more observant among you might also notice the painstakingly restored original mosaic floor. There are grand pillars and opulent plants everywhere you look. You can't get much closer to Russell Square itself. The bedrooms at the front of the hotel look out over the Square and Southampton Row so may suffer from traffic noise. The back of the hotel is quieter so ask to be located there if you are a light sleeper. Personally I think the view across the Square more than makes up for a bit of city buzz.

Unique Quality: The hotel was built in 1898 and claims to be the oldest purpose built hotel in London. Although the lobby and many of the bedrooms remain decorated in keeping with the architecture, the top floor of the hotel boasts some very snazzy and exclusive modern executive rooms with blue neon signs indicating the room numbers all along the corridor, plasma televisions in the rooms and jet showers in the bathrooms. The modern styling may not be to everyone's taste, but they're definitely something different!

  • Opinion of Price: about average

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  • BashiJJ profile photo
  • Reviews: 12

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

Great Place to Stay in Central London

I stayed for 4 nights and the service, comfort and general standard of luxury surprised me. I had a 5th floor corner room (ask for room 532) with a round seating arrangement in one of the building's corner turrets. If you're on the 5thl floor, you're high enough not to hear the traffic and you can see the tree tops of Russell Square. The breakfast room is a marvel of Victorian marble, granite and plaster, staff was very good and the location is second to none.

Unique Quality: great location, great breakfast room, very helpful concierge

  • Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
  • Related to: Business Travel, Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

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  • KittyLou profile photo
  • Reviews: 206

2 out of 5 starsUser Rating

Up, up, up passed the Russell Hotel

On our very first trip to London back in 1998 we had reservations in a little boutique hotel. We were not happy there and moved after our first week to the Russell Hotel. It certainly was a savings and a change of atmosphere. It was a tad worn and seedy, but the room was large and maid service good. The near by tube stop was crowded with young people, the hotel food service poor. I would not stay at the Russell Hotel again but would say it is OK if you want a room with space and do not mind the few downsides that I have mentioned.

August 2006 -- having just done a web search I can see that the rooms have been redone. They are no longer the stuffy traditional style -- they are now quite contemporary. So no doubt the place feels less seedy and over worn now. And the web says that deluxe rooms have "Wide-screen plasma TV. Fully air-conditioned." -- that would be a big switch from the accomodations I stayed in!!

Unique Quality: Virginia Woolf’s at the Russell Hotel

I only tried this establishment once. Shortly after checking into the hotel we went in for lunch. The service was very poor but as I recall the food was OK once it arrived.

  • Opinion of Price: less expensive than average
  • Related to: Historical Travel, Study Abroad, Arts and Culture
Russell Hotel

Russell Hotel

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  • EKLY profile photo
  • Reviews: 18

4 out of 5 starsUser Rating

Very nice hotel

I have stayed at Russell Hotel Russell Square. 2 minutes from British Museum, historical Building. Rooms are very cleand and comfortable. Staff are very helpful.

  • Opinion of Price: about average

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  • wanderlustaddicted profile photo
  • Reviews: 2

5 out of 5 starsUser Rating

2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Friendly service and luxury in Bloomsbury

I had a very positive experience at the Russell. I was able to check into the room upon arrival in the morning. I had booked my room through Expedia and requested a room with two beds. When I arrived the desk staff moved me to a two bed room, even though Expedia had booked me a double bed. The concierge is friendly and approachable and gave us good tips throughout our stay. Because of its recent renovation, the hotel is in beautiful shape. It is so nice to see such an historic hotel so well maintained and appointed in such a way that the modern elements do not take away from the quaintness of the place.

Unique Quality: The hotel's 373 rooms have all been recently updated. They are attractively appointed and reflect understated luxury. The bathroom is spacious, and by European standards so is the room. The bedding is soft and comfortable with European duvets.

Underground and bus stop nearby, as well as "Big Bus" stop. Short walk to British Museum.

  • Opinion of Price: about average

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Forum Posts

London Accomodation

by nad01

I'm going to London at the end of July and have decided to stay at Covent Garden. What hotel at a moderate price is recommended for stayingin that area?

Re: London Accomodation

by londonlover

My strong positive vote is for the Thanet Hotel in Russell Square, one Tube stop from Covent Garden on the Piccadilly Line (or about a 15-minute walk from Covent Garden itself). See my London page for more info and pictures...it's moderately priced and in a great location, with friendly staff.

Tara

Re: Re: London Accomodation

by paulinuk2u

superbreaks.com have a look

Re: London Accomodation

by edhammond

There are a lot of half-decent, big hotels in the Bloomsbury area - the Bloomsbury, the Russell, the Bonnington, etc - which is quite close. Some of them, like the Royal National on Bedford Way, look a bit grotty - but not having been inside I can't comment on the rooms!

Other than that, I think it's slim pickings in the immediate Covent Garden area. Rather noisy as well!

Re: Re: London Accomodation

by londonlover

A friend of mine stayed in the Royal National about four years ago...she said it was serviceable and clean, but nothing out of the ordinary. The Russell Hotel looks very nice from the outside--but I've not been inside at all. I personally prefer B&B's with nice little English breakfasts, but you'll probably pay a bit more for that.

--Tara

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wanderlustaddicted profile photo

 The hotel's 373 rooms have all been recently updated. They are attractively appointed and reflect understated luxury. The bathroom is spacious, and by European standards so is the room. The bedding is soft and comfortable with European duvets.

Underground and bus stop nearby, as well as "Big Bus" stop. Short walk to British Museum. 

14614 members live in London

 

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 Russell Hotel

We've found that other people looking for this hotel also know it by these names:

Russell Hotel London
Hotel London Russell

Address: Russell Square, London, WC1B 5BE, United Kingdom

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