More about The Academy
Highly recommend the Academy
by TripAdvisor Member Mimar
We stayed at the Academy for 5 nights in June, 2004 and were very pleased. We got a very good rate for a "suite," which I would describe as a larger room with a sofa. The room was very nicely decorated--in the Balmoral manner. The buffet breakfast was superb; it had in particular a wonderful variety of fruit. The staff was helpful, digging up an extension cord for my husband's CPAP machine. The location is good, especially for the British Museum. And we highly recommend the Busaba Eatthai restaurant, which is just around the corner on Store Street.
First rate well situated small hotel
by TripAdvisor Member SussexTraveller
My partner and I spent two nights here at the beginning of April 2005. Having read quite mixed reviews of this hotel before our stay, we were a little apprehensive but the hotel was charming, the service first rate and our top floor room, though compact, was perfectly adequate for our needs. Breakfast was good. The hotel is excellently situated, being ten minutes walk from Euston Station, just over five minutes walk from Goodge Street and Tottenham Court Road underground stations, and about ten minutes walk from Oxford Street.
All the staff we had contact with (none of whom had English as a first language) were friendly and welcoming, especially those serving breakfast.
We would certainly stay there again.
We will return
by A TripAdvisor Member
We were very pleased. Our room in the back overlooking the terraced
garden was ideal. Comfortable bed, air conditioned, spacious bathroom
and staff couldn't be more helpful. Noise from street could be a problem
in front rooms. Walking distance to Tottenham Ct. Road, and British
Museum. Breakfast very good.
Excellent - a home from home
by A TripAdvisor Member
Have just returned from a stay at Academy Hotel. Was a little concerned having read some of the reviews but the hotel was excellent. Staff really friendly and helpful and breakfast staff in particular were superb. Breakfast was really enjoyable with a great choice.We had a room at the back which was although not large was really nicely furnished and very clean. Little touches added to stay such as complimentary mineral water which was replaced daily and fruit in room together with turndown service.
Courtyard garden was great and a rare find in London. The general feeling was as if you were staying in a friendly country house rather than in the middle of London - only 10 mins from Covent Garden. Would definitely recommend this hotel and will return. Only note of caution rooms at front may be noisy
Country House style in the City
by TripAdvisor Member aluakea
Stayed here on a lastminute booking.
Curious mixture of a hotel - room (No.6) was quite small and has a nice noisy a/c unit outside so avoid if you are a light sleeper.
Bed was ace - really comfy and I slept well despite noise outside.
'Fresh fruit' was three identical green apples ( any chance of some variety ?) and alarm call was late.
It's like the hotel is trying but doesn't really get there.
Nice touches - slippers and bathrobe - but plumbing a bit iffy and decor a bit twee and dated.
Would I stay again - depends on the deal - not worth the rack rate but worth it if you get a discount
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One of the best Hotels I have ever stayed at.
by A TripAdvisor Member
When I walked up to the front of the Academy Townhouse, it was an unassuming front door just like all the others on the street. I am not too familiar with London streets, so they did all look the same.
The front door opens into a cozy small front desk and a nice sitting room with a fireplace. The rooms are to the right and the left of the office up flights of stairs.
The room that I stayed in was on the second floor. There was a glass door that opened up to a small foyer before the door to my room. To add added privacy, I am sure. It was a nice idea. Walking into the room (which was a single) I notice the bed right beside a window that opened over a small backyard courtyard with a small fountain and Koi pond. It would be a very nice area to relax during spring and summer months.
The bathroom was spotless white and chrome. Very roomy and comfortable. The hotel provides remote controls for the ac/heater, television and the cd radio on the desk. The is also ripe apples, snacks, sodas, water, coffee, tea and a coffee maker as well on the desk. It is not free... but it is nice to have something to munch on during the night.
I am not really used to having such great service... being a budget motel kind of person. So when an employee knocked on the door and asked me if I wanted the bed turned down and if I had any laundry for them to do, it felt like I was paying way more than what I actually did. The service was outstanding.
For breakfast, I went to the cozy breakfast area located in the basement. There were breakfast and lunch meats in buffet style, along with fresh fruit, granolas, cereal and pastries. I know it does not sound like much, but it was great quality. Every bit of it. If that was all, I would have been happy. But then after loading my plate with cereal, fruit and pastries, the waitress asked me If I wanted some eggs or an omelet. I ordered a ham and cheese omelet with toast. All on the house. It was one of the best breakfasts I have had, not to mention it was free.
Overall, the service, breakfast and the staff were outstanding. I recommend this hotel to everyone I know that plans on going to London. And I will be going back.
Good for business - rooms a bit small -
by TripAdvisor Member Frenchcouple
A good address when on business in the area (Holborn). Typical London-size (small) rooms but clean and well furbished. Wireless networks available in the area. Free water and fruits. Well stocked mini bar and very high quality bathrooms. Good overall, only negative comment is the size of the room, but what can you expect in London?
Our favorite place in London
by TripAdvisor Member DLCH
We stayed here for our honeymoon a year ago, and then came back this year because we loved it so much. It is clean, the beds are to die for comfortable, and the breakfast is great. We stayed in the garden suite, which had a huge room, sitting area, and big bathroom. It was very quiet. There is a patio off of the bedroom, but it was October and a little chilly to be hanging out outside. The first time everything was impeccable. The second time we stayed it was a bit different. They needed some help with organization. We came back from a full day of shopping and our room had not been cleaned, but after that, it was great. We will definitely stay here again in the future, it has great memories for us, and we love the daily breakfast.
New Year's Eve visit
by TripAdvisor Member RLN
My partner and I stayed in room 20 over New Year's Eve. It's a decent sized back room (so no street noise, despite the date!), with a tiny bathroom (just big enough to house a toilet, a shower and a little sink).
The staff were very friendly. Decor quite classy, and very comfortable furnishings. We particularly liked the feather duvet and pillows. Nice touch that the CD player/radio was playing classical music when we went up to our room. No sign of a bathrobe, but appreciated the slippers. The room and the bathroom were both spotless.
Fab location, just five minutes' walk from Oxford St and about ten/fifteen mins' from Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus.
Expensive for what it is
by A TripAdvisor Member
Sometimes the joke stops being funny. So it is with the Academy. Where should I start? This is a five story hotel with no elevator. Many of the rooms are on Gower Road, a very busy street that includes a hospital, so sirens are common. I actually had to repeat myself while asking for a quieter room, because the man at the desk could not hear my request over a truck rumbling by. It would have been funny on television. Not in real life.
As for the room itself, the curtains were unusually thin, so the room could not be darkened. Once flushed, the toilet would not stop filling... I gave up hope after ten minutes, and called the desk. When someone arrived to investigate, the toilet was still filling loudly, like a faucet running. I was told this was normal and it would eventually stop. Sure enough, soon after he left (nearly half an hour after the flush) the toilet stopped filling.
While every room has Internet, mine did not work, even after an hour wasted with the staff. While the staff was very courteous, it was notable they never apologized for the problems.
I travel for business constantly, so I stay in many hotels. The Academy was far below the standards of many less expensive places. I would say the Academy is easily the most expensive cheap hotel in which I have ever stayed.
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