Bayswater Inn London, Not up to American Standards
Written: May 02 '05 (Updated May 04 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Location, and cheap but very small rooms.
Cons: Room are unacceptably small.
The Bottom Line: Great location but small and poor rooms.
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| rlesino's Full Review: Bayswater Inn |
Trip Overview:
I just returned from a personal pleasure vacation in London (April 15-20, 2005). This was my second trip to London but first time staying at the Bayswater Inn.
Gate 1 Travel:
I have used Gate 1 travel before with mixed results. Gate 1 had a good rate for this trip $800 for airfare and hotel for six days. While my British Airways flight from Newark, NJ to Heathrow was fine on a new Boeing 777, the Bayswater Inn left much to be desired.
Bayswater Inn location:
The hotel's location is great. I took the new Heathrow Express train from Heathrow to Paddington station. A nice modern train that takes on 15 minutes to get to Paddington versus the hour on the tube. Plus, Heathrow terminal # 4 tube station is under construction so the Heathrow Express is the best option. I took a cab from Paddington to the Bayswater Inn (about $6 pounds cost). The Bayswater Inn is about a two block walk from Queensway Street and the Whitely shopping center. And, another two blocks (total 4 block walk) to the Baysweter tube station. Queesway and the Whitely shopping center have many shops, restaurants, etc. and is a great location. Also, a short walk to Hyde Park.
The Baywater Inn Rooms:
I had a single room, #63, on the first floor. Where is the rest of the room? While I have been to Europe many times, this was the smallest room I have ever stayed in. The room had a small closet, small bed up again the wall, a small desk, and small closet for the toilet and shower. I could hardly fit in the toilet and the shower knob was a push-pull type, so every time I turned in the shower the water went off leaving me with either hot or cold water. It was an UNACCEPTABLE ROOM. However, being the world traveler that I am, and that I was only in the room for about 8 hours to sleep, I made do.
Breakfast:
Most hotels in Europe offer continental breakfast. This means rolls, coffe/tea, juice, cereal. The Bayswater Inn was the worst continental breakfast I have ever had anywhere in Europe. What we would call a hamburger roll, was the breakfast roll. Coffe and tea were provided and toast only if you asked for it. There was one kind of cereal for the children.
The better choice for breakfast is to walk two blocks to Queesway Street then turn right like you are going to the Bayswater tube station. About half way down the block is a French bakery with wonderful coffee, pastry and cooked breakfasts if you want it. The omellettes are great and the french toast and crepes too.
The Bayswater Inn caters to European tourists and school groups. The hotel is very old and crowded when school groups are staying there. Most guests are French, Itialian, German or other European country guests. Americans are rare.
The good things about the Bayswater Inn:
1. Location, location location, is excellent, near shopping, tube station and restaurants.
2. Lobby has two internet terminals but cheaper terminals can be found in the many internet cafes on 'Queesway street.
3. Front desk staff is multi-lingual and very helpful if a bit overwhelmed trying to help all the different guests who speak various languages.
4. Hotel lobby has pay phones via British Telecom to make calls. My room had a phone but you have to give a credit card to activate it.
5. Lobby is hard to find from Prince's Sq in that it is in the middle of a block of row homes. Even my cab driver from Paddington was not quite sure which building it was.
6. While Gate 1 offered a cheap price for this trip, if you are not a seasoned European traveler, don't book the Bayswater Inn. It is a one star hotel...not two stars as booked.
Summary:
I had a good time on my trip, only because I worked around the Bayswater Inn and my very small room. I made do. I would never stay at the Bayswater Inn on business or again. The rooms are just too small. However, the location is great and I might stay in Bayswater again, but in a nicer 3 star hotel. My first trip was in the Russel Square area near the British Museum, and I might select that area again.
PS: If you stay in BAyswater try the beer (Bombardier ale) at the Rat and Parrott pub. Also, try the peking duck at the chineese restaurant on Queesway, excellent, but get there early before they run out of duck. Also, the eight movie theatres at the Whiteley shopping center and the Starbucks coffee shop is great for breakfast too. However, the french pastry shop is the best.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
rlesino
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Location: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Retired from Federal Government. Served a Senior Executive.
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