Looking at reviews for the European Hotel in North London-- has some good and some terrible reviews. Hotel is inexpensive and I thought it would be a good location since it is close to St Pancras where we'll depart on Eurostar for Paris. Any feedback from guests who stayed there? It's our first trip to London and we'll only be in London for 3 nights. Would it be better to find a location more centrally located? We'll be sightseeing and going in mid-June. Would there be a B and B or another reasonably priced hotel you could suggest? There may be 4 to 6 of us all adult family members in 2 or 3 rooms. Thanks!!
Posted by
London, England.
662 posts
I use booking.com a lot, and find it's review scores very reliable. Personally, I never book anything under an 8.2... this is a 6.5. However... when you actually look into the review scores a bit closer... it doesn't look so bad. Location is acknowledged as excellent, 8.6. Cleanliness is a big one for me, this gets 6.5, but it's a cheap hotel, what do you expect.
What I've noticed is that the review scores are higher from UK reviewers, than international visitors. I suspect this is because we are used to small hotel rooms (a very common review complaint) and are realistic about what £80 a night in London gets you. The recent reviews, to be honest, aren't that bad.
If you treat the hotel as simply a place to wash, sleep and store your bags, and go in with appropriately sensible expectations, it might be just fine. You're in London! why do you want to be in your hotel longer than you have too anyway.
You could consider two 3 person rooms in a Travelodge, nothing special, but always reliable and clean, and locations everywhere.
Good luck.
Posted by
Nashville, TN, USA
795 posts
Why blow the money for 2 or 3 hotel rooms when you can rent an apartment to fit you all at www.homeaway.com ? We use their service worldwide. You can stay in a central location and public transport in London is excellent.
Posted by
Land of La
9261 posts
My question is why book somewhere for 3 nights that doesn't have stellar ratings all across the board. That would be a red flag for me. You've waited this long to book so you may have to pay more than you want but cleanliness, safety and ENJOYING your first visit would be worth it. Public transport in London is stellar so you are fairly close to everything. That said here are other options to immediately check for availability. Premiere Inns Victoria or County Hall. With as many in your group you could probably negotiate the rate. Luna and Simone
BnB, Ridgemount or the Hotel BnB in Bloomsbury. Check TripAdvisor reviews. Or look via AirBnB for an apartment or flat that could house a group your size. If you have points with Hilton, Marriott, Radisson, etc see what you can negotiate. I stayed in and liked the Regent's Park Marriott but it may not be "central" enough for your first visit. Where ever you finally stay be certain you are within travel zones 1 & 2 or any savings you might of had will be eaten up in transport costs.
Posted by
OP
Louisville, KY
14 posts
Thanks for the responses. Now I'm a bit worried about the Zones we'll be in. It looks like area around St Pancras/King's Cross is within Zones 1 and 2. We want to get the Travelcard or Oyster card for London for the 3 days we're here. I read we can get some 2 for 1 deals on admission tickets with the travelcard --don't know if that's true with Oyster card. Family members are going but some remain in London while we go on to Paris. Hence, we may need 2 or 3 rooms but for different lengths of stay.
Posted by
Land of La
9261 posts
https://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/standard-tube-map.pdf
The above is the standard Tube map. The difference between 2 for 1 deals and the Oyster Card has been addressed on this Forum numerous times. Take a moment to use the SEARCH option above and you'll find countless posts. The tfl.gov.uk website will explain the Oyster card as well.
Lastly, I've not stayed here but a friend did recently and he was very pleased. http://www.number63.co.uk/