I stayed at these hotels in Paddington and Victoria, London just recently. In the single room in Victoria (about 5 minutes from the train station) I discovered why windowless rooms exist. They are in the basement, below ground level. It felt like a bunker--A clean bunker with tiny bathroom and about 12 inches clearance on the side of the bed. I will not stay in a windowless room again. At 39 GBP per night it isn't a terrific deal; cleanliness and convenience to the train station are this hotel's main assets. If all you want is a bed, it's passable. At Paddington I had two different rooms with windows. The room on the front of the building was good because I had a view of the street and a plant-filled window box. The bathrooms are larger at Paddington and the hotel is newer since it has been open for only a month. At 25 GBP a night, the rooms are a good value. At 39-49 GBP a night, as they are now, I don't see them to be a good deal. No breakfast or TV is included; you can pay 5 GBP extra for 24 hrs of TV. None of these rooms had a place for luggage or small items other than on the floor or the bed. There were 2 or 3 wall hooks. At Paddington there are lots of places nearby for food, and the station is only a five minute walk away, so it is convenient. They try to enforce a 3 pm check-in time so they can charge 15 GBP more if you arrive early. (I was able to talk tham out of this nonsense, since my room was ready at noon when I arrived). As nice as they were, I got the feeling the desk people were working on commission and needed to wring all these extra fees out of customers. There are many other hotels in the area, especially on Norfolk Square. I would look for a hotel there before returning to the EasyHotel.
Posted by
Boulder, CO, USA
780 posts
In December I will be staying at Earls Ct Easyhotel for 6 nights and Paddington Easyhotel for my final night...
I paid 25 pounds a night for all rooms. A deal, but what a hassle...
Thank you for mentioning the early check in "scam". Id rather pay 2 pounds for storage of luggage for 5 hours than $30 more to check in early. Thats ridiculous!
I know about their tendancy to try to take advantage. Due to a tight budget,
I booked and paid for the 6 nights in 3 separate bookings and emailed to make sure that I could stay the 6 nights consecutively. Turns out, they would have made me check out every 2 days and wait 5 hours to check back in again. Luckily (after 3 emails to the customer service, and then finally getting a HUMAN response back (in which his direct email address showed up)I got a hold of an easyhotel rep. I told him I wasnt a "young" lady and I dont want to be moving around with luggage that often, so I think he thought I was like 80 or something (im 40 but hey its not YOUNG, I guess I will just limp or something when I get there..).... and finally he arranged it so I could stay for the 6 nights without having to move rooms and check back in. Ridiculous.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
Guess EasyHotel isn't so easy. However unless one stays in a hostel in London it is difficult to get a safe central clean room for one at that price. I hope one day to try their EasyCruise hope it is better.
Posted by
Ballwin, MO
7 posts
I too stayed at the Earl's Court location and had no problems checking in early, without a fee, although it was only for one night. I thought it was an excellent deal as the room was clean, the bed was comfortable, free internet in the lobby, and it was in a great location. For short stays, I think they're a good option, but the size of the room and extra fees for more towels, or housekeeping services, would certainly be prohibitative for anything long-term.
Posted by
Newcastle, WA, USA
643 posts
I agree, 25 pounds is worth it for a room with a window. But I wouldn't stay in a room without a window either. TV is not important to me. Breakfast is nice but not essential, there are far too many pubs that serve an English breakfast for GBP4.99, and even better are the wonderful Pret A Manger cafes near almost every station. I like the South Kensington Neighborhood and am considering staying at a hotel there sometime, but when I can get a normal room in a normal hotel for less than 10 pounds a night more than easyHotel, it's really a no brainer. The orange walls would drive me batty anyway.
Posted by
OP
Napa, CA
3580 posts
Maybe I'll try the Earl's Court easyHotel next time. In England I really like walking downstairs to a nice breakfast, so I do miss that at easyHotel. The policies at the different easyHotels seem to differ; it seems that the management(s) have discretion in charging for "extras."
Posted by
Newcastle, WA, USA
643 posts
There are plenty of places to have breakfast in Earl's Court and Gloucester Road. I would consider staying at easyHotel for no more than 35 pounds a night. But check londontown.com before you book. I found a room at a normal hotel for around the same price, which I would jump on!