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Hotel 63 London, England

I heard about Hotel 63 in London from persons on this forum

I would describe it as more of a B&B than a hotel. I believe that it has 16 rooms. and a very interesting history.

Hotel 63 is at 63 Bayswater Road, an excellent location.

It is right across the street from Kensington Gardens. It is a block or two away from Lancaster Gate Station and a reasonable walk to Paddington Station. Besides the tube, there are numerous bus lines on the street.

Prices are reasonable and include a small but decent continental breakfast. There is a slight variety every day and plenty to eat. The breakfast includes fruit, cereals, sweets, breads, cheese, jams and jellies, coffee tea and juices.

Many restaurants in the area.

Staff is super helpful and super nice.

There is good TV service and internet service for the most part.

Being on a tight budget, I booked the smallest room at the "cheapest" price for five nights but was forced to add on a night when my airline decided to fly me in a. day early. I had to add on a small room but a larger one for a higher price.

The first room that i stayed in was ok but I was also paying paying 130 pounds for this room being.a Saturday night in London. Everything worked fine. I had everything that I needed. I believe that had a view of the street or the Gardens from the window but can not remember.

But the second room that I had was not terribly nice. This was the smallest room at the "cheapest" price I appeared to have gotten a very good deal when I booked this room.

The room was on a landing. I believe that i was considered to be on the first floor but it was a stand alone room. I had to go to the second floor and walk down steps to the landing that my room was on. The other option was to go to the first floor and then to walk up a steep flight of stairs to get to the landing that my room was on. I was sort of in between floor one and two.

The room was extremely small and that was ok but the window overlooked an alley and trash bins.

Wi Fi did not always work in this room and I had to go to the lobby to use the Wi Fi which then worked fine.

TV did not work ok at first but it did improve.

Although a very small and not particularly attractive room, I did have evrything that I needed.

Location was still great. Breakfast and staff were more than ok.

In walking by other rooms, I noticed some were very pretty and attractive. They were well located within the B&B with lovely windows and nice views.

I would not recommend the smallest, "cheapest" room that I stayed in unless necessary.

If possible and within your budget, I would highly recommend one of the larger rooms.

Posted by
9245 posts

For clarity the name of this London accommodation is 63 Bayswater.

https://number63.co.uk/history/

Have stayed there numerous times. Most recently in November, 2021 in room 207. Small but very well appointed room. Only noise was the occasional slam of the hallway door.

Would happily stay there again.

Posted by
28140 posts

Bostonphil's room on the landing sounds like a lot of rooms I've stayed in--not necessarily on landings, but tucked away in odd spots and with views of air shafts. When you grab a room that's observably cheaper than others in the area, that's what you may get.

The no-direct-elevator-access issue is also quite common since so many European hotels are not in new buildings. They may be cobbled together from two or more buildings with floors on different levels. Although I do not like carrying my suitcase up and down stairs, I can manage if there are handrails, but all too often there are not. You really need to read a lot of reviews to be sure you're not signing up for conditions like that if it matters to you. A lot of the rooms in the hotel may be fine, so you need to see reviews from folks who've stayed in a variety of rooms. The hotel's own website may not be clear on these points.

Posted by
8059 posts

Thanks for your review, BP, although I'm sorry your experience wasn't as good in the second room. You must have gotten a good price, though. I checked it out when I was looking for lodging for next spring, and it was more expensive than the Premier Inn that I ultimately booked.

That's one reason I like staying in places like the Premier Inn in large cities. I get a lower price and don't have to worry about being stuck in a room that is too small and has a not-so-great view. I save my B&Bs and local hotel stays for the smaller cities and towns (not that it guarantees a good room, but the odds are much better). I do NOT like surprises! 😊

Posted by
14767 posts

Thanks for your review. Do you mind saying how much you paid for your smaller room?

I, too, have been in a hotel in a single room that was kind of in between floors in London. So very odd for those of us not used to a facility that has been retrofitted. And yes, I feel like that is where they will sometime "fit in" a cheap (relative term) single if they can.

Posted by
3447 posts

Your second room at 63 Bayswater Road sounded so much like my room at the Thistle Lancaster Gate circa 2000 that I checked to see if the two hotels were one and the same. The Thistle LG was (it's closed) a one-minute walk from your hotel.

I do love that location.

Thanks for posting.

Posted by
8899 posts

Thanks for sharing such an honest review of your stay. I like that even when things aren’t quite as expected, you are able to maintain a positive attitude.

I got curious, picked a random date, and found the smallest, cheapest room at 63 Bayswater still costs more than most Premier Inns. I suppose it all gets down to the type of accommodation that fits your interests. I did see the picture of the “small single” on their website and it is aptly named. Glad you were able to adapt and flourish!

Posted by
17477 posts

Bostonphil mentions the “interesting history” of the hotel but does not give details, so I will provide some links to explain.

https://hotel63.co.uk/history/

Originally a private residence, the building was purchased in 1946 by the Federation Of International Soroptimist of Great Britain and Ireland to serve as club headquarters and a residence for visiting Soroptimist members.

Soroptimist International is a global organization with four federations dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through “education, empowerment, and enabling opportunities.”

https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/about-us/history/

The first Soroptimist club was founded in 1921 in Oakland, California by a group of business and professional women. I imagine many of them had close ties to the University of California at Berkeley. Their first project was to join with other California women’s clubs to support the efforts of the Save the Redwoods League established earlier in Humboldt County.

https://www.savetheredwoods.org/about-us/mission-history/

(If your travels ever take you to see the redwoods, be sure and include a drive along the Newton B. Drury Parkway, with stops at the parking pull-outs to take short hikes to see the magnificent trees).

Additional Soroptimist clubs were formed in U.S.cities along the Pacific (including Seattle*) and Atlantic Coasts, and the expanded organization turned its attention to the betterment of the lives of women and girls. Similar clubs were started in Great Britain and then Paris. In 1928 the American and European federations joined to form Soroptimists International, the organization that exists today.

Here is a page from the Seattle Soroptimist website detailing their history:

https://www.soroptimistseattlemet.org/sism-history

The Bayswater 63 hotel is now open to all.

Posted by
2299 posts

Pam,

My total was 475 pounds for five nights.

I felt like the room had originally been a supply closet that was turned into a very small and inexpensive room for one.

Posted by
2299 posts

I thank all of you for correcting me and editing me and adding to my post. And clarifying what I have said.

A few have mentioned that a Premier Inn was less than Hotel 63 but which P I? And is it close to Hotel 63 because often you are paying for location. The location was a 10 plus

Posted by
2299 posts

acraven

I booked Hotel 63 directly and nothing was said about stairs. However I read some reviews somewhere and again nothing was said about stairs.

I think the room that I had was the only one where you had to deal with stairs.

And staff was very helpful. They took my suitcase up to my room and took it down the stairs when it was time to leave.

Posted by
2299 posts

Thanks for clarifying the proper name of the hotel, Claudia.

But you can search Hotel 63 London and will get results.

On the very attractive home page, the B&B does refer to themselves as Hotel 63. This made it easier for me to remember the name of the establishment when I could not yet recall Bayswater.

Posted by
134 posts

I’m also wondering where someone found rates at a Premier Inn that was cheaper than Number 63. I’ve stayed there twice, and have a week booked in June 2024. I’m paying $1200 for 7 days with breakfast included. When I checked the PI County Hall for the same week, the price was $600 more.

Posted by
3292 posts

Premier Inns use dynamic pricing—- the earlier you book the cheaper they are. So it is quite possible that the PI near Paddington could be cheaper than Bayswater 63 if one booked it way in advance—- much earlier than the OP booked her trip.

Lola, I appreciate the information about the Soroptimist connection and their history. I bet you are right about the UC Berkeley origins. Makes me proud to be a Cal grad!

Posted by
9245 posts

I’m thinking the OP is referring to Room 207. Tis small but well equipped. IMHO perfect for a solo traveler who does carry on only.

Started my association with 63 Bayswater decades ago. Loved the location and the price. Breakfast is included in the price. 63 is Convenient to Paddington. Lancaster Gate tube station 1/2 block away.

Appreciated that over the years of staying at 63 that I discovered Tukdin Flavors of Malaysia, The Victoria Paddington and saw the Christmas Day Peter Pan Cup race in the Serpentine. Learned that the Lancaster Gate entrance into Hyde park/Kensington Gardens opened at 5am. Loved walking along the path adjacent to the Italian Gardens to see the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, Peter Pan statue, and all the green parrots.

Even though I can now stay with friends when I visit London, 63 will always be in my back pocket as Plan B.

Posted by
14767 posts

Thanks for the pricing information - looks like that was 95GBP/night for your first reservation..

The very odd room I stayed in at another hotel was in a building that is "Set in a Grade II-listed 19th century building, the hotel is comprised of ten townhouses that were once separated, resulting in a unique layout for its rooms and stairwells,"

The description makes me laugh because my room definitely had a unique layout - you used your key card to enter the door then went up a short flight of stairs to the bedroom and bathroom. Good thing I don't sleep walk because I'd have hated to accidentally go down the stairs at night! I wondered if it was a store room or a nurserymaid's room.

I'm glad they helped you with your bag on arrival and departure.

Posted by
8059 posts

I felt like the room had originally been a supply closet that was turned into a very small and inexpensive room for one.

That is small! Hopefully your remaining rooms on the trip were larger.

I’ve stayed there twice, and have a week booked in June 2024. I’m paying $1200 for 7 days with breakfast included. When I checked the PI County Hall for the same week, the price was $600 more.

Stacy, I'm paying almost the exact same price as you for a Premier Plus room at the Premier Inn County Hall in the spring of next year (cost is £140 per night and I'm staying 5 nights). You listed your cost in $$ but I converted it. If I would have chosen the standard double, I could have gotten it down to £120 per night.

bostonphil, the PI I booked is in South Bank, which is very convenient to many of the sights and transportation. I'm familiar with the area but have never stayed there, so I'm looking forward to it. i like big cities and I like being in an area where there are cafes, restaurants, and markets within a close distance. On my other two trips to London, I stayed on Gower St. in Bloomsbury. I enjoyed that area as it has a very residential feel to it, but wanted to try someplace different for this trip. And I really like being close to the Thames...

Posted by
134 posts

Mardee- it may be the difference between May and June for the price. The daily prices for the PI also fluctuated. At Number 63, the price was £150 each day.

(Edited)
This was the price breakdown for the PI County Hall. It may climb even higher because the Taylor Swift concert is that weekend.
Wed 19 Jun
£190.50
Thu 20 Jun
£193
Fri 21 Jun
£242.50
Sat 22 Jun
£122.50
Sun 23 Jun
£176
Mon 24 Jun
£189.50
Tue 25 Jun
£190.50

Posted by
28140 posts

Aah, the Taylor Swift effect. We've had a previous report or two here about the effect of her concerts on local lodging rates. It can be massive.

Posted by
8059 posts

acraven, I agree. I’m so glad I’m not going to be anywhere near a city she is performing in. Prices are going through the roof.

Posted by
9245 posts

Gee a ticket to see The Beatles at Candlestick Park in 1966 was $6.50 or £5.35….

That’s why many of us of a certain age miss the good ole days.

Taylor who?

Posted by
7973 posts

I was sent a picture yesterday of a ticket to see the Beatles at the Merseyside Civil Service Club, Liverpool, in 1961- Cost 3/- (15 pence).
This was a guest ticket for a members club. The 2nd of 5 gigs they played there.

Posted by
3447 posts

I just checked an inflation calculator -$6.50 in 1966 is $57.00 in 2023 dollars. The not so good old days.

I didn't have $6.50 to see The Beatles in 1966 - it might as well have been $650.00. But I have to say I like Taylor Swift - can't afford to see her either!

Posted by
2299 posts

a friend of mine came down from North England to overnight in London so that we could visit.

She stayed at Sussex Place a few blocks away, also a nice neighborhood. Lots of trees.

Her room was 90 pounds for one night but no lift and we had to walk up five flights of stairs. Me, with the bad knee, helped her.

her room was nicer than the one i had. It was a good size and attractive but no breakfast and as said, no lift. She never though of asking.

I was telling her about this forum and the cult of P I. it turns out that her daughter manages a P I in North England.

And I saw Bruce Springsteen at the Armadillo World Headquarters around Thanksgiving back in the early 70's for one dollar.

Posted by
134 posts

Why I love Number 63….my first evening in London in 2022, I walked across the street to Hyde Park and listened to Elton John for free. I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect first day in London.

Posted by
3875 posts

63 Bayswater is four stars for location.
I am looking forward to staying there in the future.
Looking forward to walks in the park and visiting the restaurants and cafes in the area that Claudia has mentioned here on the forum.
I have seen nothing but great reviews on this forum for this hotel.

BostonPhil, to be completely fair, you did ask for their absolute cheapest room. They cannot be blamed for giving you what you asked for. This room sounds perfect for someone who wants to spend all day sightseeing and will be in the room only to sleep. It's perfect for college-age backpackers who will be up at dawn, on the go all day, and want a place to lay their head at night.
I wish you would have asked for an upgrade to a better room, if it was available, if you were so miserable. The additional cost would not have been much & would have been worth it.
You get what you pay for in London hotels.


"I was telling her about this forum and the cult of P I."

Yes, The Premier Inn Cult. As cults go, it's a good one.
We like Premier Inns.
They deliver a good experience, clean and comfy beds, decent sized rooms, nice bathrooms, an elevator, and a good breakfast.
Relatively inexpensive.

Posted by
2299 posts

Hi Rebecca

I have considered staying at a Premier Inn just to get in the "cult". I feel left out.

Hotel 63 did have a lift. Nothing at all was said about having to take stairs to a room. I believe that it was only my room that required using stairs to get to it.

Actually I had little problems with my knee when going to my room because I always took the lift to the second floor and walked down stairs to my room. Walking down stairs was seldom the problem. Up is the problem. It was as though i was on floor 1 1/2. I was in between the first and the second floor.

Going down, I walked down the stairs from my room to the real 1st floor and then took the lift.

I did book the least expensive smallest room but I was still unprepared for the room itself. I did expect better.

I did not spend a lot of time in it but to sleep, rest, shower and change clothes .

The bed was very comfortable but the room was so small that I hit my head or hand against the wall while sleeping and moving around.

The continental breakfast was decent enough, more than an apple and croissant.

But if there is a next time, it will have to be a P I so i can say that i stayed at a P I. And if there is a next time, I want to stay around Wellington Arch or Victoria Station.

Posted by
2547 posts

That is also our preferred location in London. Perhaps next time before booking let the hotel know that you have a knee issue.

Posted by
7973 posts

Well there is a PI straight behind Victoria Station- with huge originality called Premier Inn London Victoria- looking at a random date next March that starts at £123 + £9.95 breakfast- about the same price as Hotel 63 if you found nights at that price.

Posted by
3875 posts

isn31c, that is a great location! Thanks for mentioning it.
A Premier Inn right by a train station, tube lines and a coach station...perfect.
Good restaurants and cafes all around, too.

Rabbies Tours and Golden Tours both leave from the Greenline Coach Station, which is right there.

Posted by
8059 posts

Ha ha, Rebecca, I love it! The Premier Inn Cult!

Bostonphil, you definitely need to join the cult!

If some forum members are in London next time you are there, we will all get together for cake and coffee.

Yes to this!

Posted by
8059 posts

Ha ha! I'm actually visiting the London Mithraeum when I'm there, so I will make sure and light a candle for the gods!

Posted by
2299 posts

Oh I missed so much. All I can think about right now is all that I have missed instead of all that I have seen.

Back to P I

I am retired from market research and I see a need.

I see a need for a T shirt saying something like I stayed a Premier Inn or I am a Premier Inn fan. Of course it would have to be colorful and pretty.

And I think that you might have to get an ok from Premier Inn before doing this or maybe not.

Posted by
8059 posts

And I think that you might have to get an ok from Premier Inn before doing this or maybe not.

I think you'd be fine if it was for personal use only. I probably wouldn't try selling them, though. 🤣