Strand Palace Hotel London

My GF and I popped up to London to catch a show (very cultured like that innit?!) and we stayed here for a night. My GF had stayed here before, and booked the hotel based on the location - about a mile from Waterloo station and another mile from the theatre (easy walking - the best kind!).

When we arrived the hotel looked swish - a cheerful doorman swept us inside, we dodged staff hoovering the carpets, mats and anything that remained stationary for more than a minute. Check in was easy too. My GF warned me that the rooms weren't up to much, but ours was very plush - newly refurbed, clean and tidy with the usual basics (kettle, bible, toilet) and few unexpected extras (like a selection of magazines and a generous selection of biscuits to dunk in tea).

We were on the fifth floor, and faced an internal courtyard, which meant we had no traffic noise. The bed was a little hard for my tastes, felt like I was laying on a rock, but the GF was more than happy. The bathroom had a great shower, but the toilet was placed immediately behind the door - which proved tricky when slightly inebriated/half asleep, as I walked into both (cistern and entrance) in a muppet-like manner several times.

The price was good, at about a hundred a night, and we got a breakfast buffet for the bargin price of a fiver - I highly recommend the bubble and squeak.

The main downside was the fact the room had no air-con; I realise that in England we aren't used to warmth and sun, but it was sweltering in London and the humidity was a right old sweaty pain. The room had a small electric desk fan, but it didn't really cut it.

Also, while our room was quite big, looking at the plan several were very small and crammed in odd places, so a bit of luck in getting a good one may be required (offering a prayer or sacrifice of a shower cap to the hotel gods may be in order).

That said, the location can't be beat and the price was competitive for London. I'd stay again, but maybe bring my own fan(s).

This hotel is very old. The carpets in the lobby and the rooms are filthy. The curtains on the windows had holes in them. Their management was unresponsive to complaints. None of the managers seemed to know what they were doing.read entire review at TravelPost.com

My company often books this hotel for staff to stay in after work events. I have stayed here 4 times now and love the service. It's in a great location easy to get to after a night out in London. The rooms are of an excellent quality and very comf...read entire review at TravelPost.com