Pip Pip Old Man, it's that way!
Written: Jul 11 '07 (Updated Jul 15 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: close to many sites, quiet
Cons: limited room service
The Bottom Line: Place that I would return to in an instant
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| kushnir's Full Review: London Bridge Hotel |
Wanting our second visit to London to be more leisurely I did more research for our 10 day vacation. Our Silver Jet flight landed at Luton which is about 45 minutes north of London. There a shuttle takes you to the train station for the trip into town. Getting off at London Bridge station, after our 10 hour flight, tired, hungry and anxious for our hotel I asked the cabby out front of the station where our hotel might be. I figured even it we took the cab to the hotel and paid a couple of bucks I wouldn’t be the tourist wandering around pulling the suitcases lost and confused. It was then that he got out of the cab, and pointed to a building about 200 yard down the street. Thanking him, and feeling a little embarrassed we pulled our luggage clicking on the pavement pavers all the way down the street.
As we rounded the turn there it was, all four floors of this mini hotel. Upon entering we were immediately greeted and asked if we would like a refreshment. Not wanting to rebuff English hospitality we both surrendered to glasses of champagne. It was then that we were informed that being 10 o’clock our rooms would not be ready until 2 or so. Two or so? Well we didn’t want to use someone’s soiled sheets after all did we? Since our hunger pangs were prevalent, we thanked the desk attendant and gave our bags to the bell captain.
One of the pleasant items I discovered while Googleing was that the one of London’s fresh food markets was a block away, and that there was a restaurant I had seen on the telly at home that I wanted to try. Marching down the block was our afternoons lunch and diversion. Arriving back at the hotel at 2 we were given the electronic access keys to our room. Up the lift to the 3 rd floor and down the corridor we were presented with our clean, modern room.
The room although small (most hotel rooms are not spacious in Europe) was ultra modern, including a 42 inch LCD telly on the wall, FM radio, telephone, wall safe, iron and board, pants press station and a gorgeous bathroom equipped with marble, fine soaps and a Grohe shower setup.
We figured that we would not be spending a lot of time in the room, which would be the case except on the days when it did rain quite heavily. Luckily there was a coffee/tea pot in the room which allow us to purchase sweet rolls and fruit and start our days with inexpensive breakfasts.
The hotel did provide a breakfast which was expensive since our dollar is worthless there, but after a day or two of the exact same item we preferred to munch in the room and quickly exit to tour the town.
The hotel is quiet, and since it is a small property it doesn’t cater to large loud groups of students or vacation junket groups. It was always quiet, the room service was quick and staff pleasant. Room rates were reasonable especially compared with down town properties. Located half a block away from the tube and the train station was also convenient. Quality of the rooms, furnishings and amenities was four stars. The only negative thing for me was that there was no access to an ice machine, which necessitated my calling room service every day. Since I was suppose to be on vacation I didn't check my emails, since they did impose a daily charge for internet access. I figured that 17 bucks a day was a little to steep to see all my junk mail arrive in Londay via Internet. Besides, if I really wanted I could find a Internet cafe! You can't blame them for discovering another profit center, but that was a little too steep.
All in all, this is a property I would be happy to return to and recommend to friends. Within walking distance there were enough diversions for 4 to 5 days. The hotel does have a restaurant in the adjoining lobby and a very popular bar next door also. (younger crowd) down the street are several deli style less expensive places and within a block down several alleys are very good moderately priced restaurants and bars. Keep in mind the dollars value, right now 5/07 a pint of beer in a pub runs 8 dollars and a fish and chips plate about 16. No wonder the Brits are able to fly to NYC buy up the latest electronics, clothes and eat plus fly home and pay for the airfare for what they would have spent in London. The Waterloo train station is within walking distance on the other side of the Themes. London bridge crossing the river is one block away, the rail station is 1/2 block away, the tube is 1/2 block away, the riverfront walk is 1 block and walking to the British Airways Eye (the Wheel) is about 10 to 12 minutes. The wheel although expensive was worth the trip, beautiful vistas and views only achieved at that elevation. highly recommended.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
kushnir
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Member: Ken Kushnir
Location: Healdsburg,CA
Reviews written: 31
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
hospitality & food service mgmt
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