hotels in bloomsbury--recommendations

I can't speak from experience, but I'll quote reviews of several hotels from the Lonely Planet London guidebook.

Alhambra Hotel: "About the best budget lodging around here, the Alhambra has 52 simple and spotless rooms, friendly French- and English-speaking staff, and is close to two mainline stations for getaways."

Arran House Hotel: "This welcoming place is in the heart of literary Bloomsbury and provides excellent value for the location. Lodgings range from the most basic dormitory-style accommodation to bright and cosy well furnished doubles with bathrooms, although the atmosphere never feels like anything but a small and welcoming hotel. The rose garden is a pleasant bonus in the summer."

Arosfa Hotel: "Diminutive Arosfa (Welsh for 'a place to stay') is a breath of fresh air on this very busy strip because it's one of the few where smoking is banned. The 16 rooms cover the basics and light sleepers might prefer one at the back."

Crescent Hotel: "In the middle of academic London, this friendly, family-owned hotel was built in 1810 and overlooks a private square flanked by student residences. While the rooms range from pokey singles without facilities to relatively spacious doubles with bathrooms, all are as comfortable as can be and the staff are very hospitable."

Jenkins Hotel: "Close to the British Museum, this smoke-free hotel has pretty rooms with washbasin, TV, phone, and fridge. The rooms are small, but the welcome is huge. All prices include breakfast, which you are welcome to work off on the tennis courts across the road."

Here's one more.

St Margaret's Hotel: "Young and not so young are well catered for at this huge 60 room family-run hotel, which occupies a classic Georgian town house. Rooms are bright and comfortable, there are relaxing lounges and a lovely rear garden."

I too am partial to Bloomsbury and don't know why Rick doesn't have it as a recommended neighborhood. I have stayed at The Thanet Hotel on Bedford Place and the Morgan Hotel on Bloomsbury St. The Thanet is a little nicer, on a quieter street, but both are in the same price range. The Thanet is a closer walk to Holborn underground which is a straight shot to LHR. The Morgan is closer to the British Museum and Tottenham Ct. Rd underground. The Montague on the Gardens is another nice Bloomsbury hotel, more luxurious than the other two, and therefore pricier. Its just across the side street from the British museum.

Jill - We've stayed at the Arran House (see the link in a previous reply) several times and have always enjoyed it. The garden is a great place to relax with a glass of wine and a picnic dinner after a long day. At night you can use the hotel's laundry and kitchen facilities.

Jill,

If you are looking for cheap and cheerful in Bloomsbury, I recommend the Jesmond Hotel. It's not beautiful, but the breakfasts are great and the location can't be beat. It's about a half a block from the British Museum, and it is within walking distance of 4 or 5 tube stations. When I travel, I value number of days over a luxury hotel. I'm out seeing and doing, not sitting around. The Jesmond gives you a free night when you book six nights, and they give a discount if you pay in cash. Always a plus in London.