Cheap Bloomsbury Bed & Breakfast Hotel
Family Owned & Run St Athans Hotel B&B in Bloomsbury
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| St Athans Hotel Bloomsbury |
The Bloomsbury area of London is a very desirable district to stay in Central London. On the fringes of the main theatre district i.e. very central, and with lots of interesting independent shops and historic buildings its a very nice environment in which to base yourself in London. Not too many cheap Bed and Breakfast hotels exist that people would want to stay in though.
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Unfortunately this attractiveness means that there is a definite price premium for staying in the district, quite a dramatic price premium too from the budget Kings Cross, St Pancras district less than a mile away. Kings Cross Bed and Breakfasts as a broad generality are about 30-40% cheaper than the equivalent budget B&B in Bloomsbury.
The St Athan's is a bit of a rarity then. Not only is it priced like a Kings Cross Bed and Breakfast but its one of the few such simple hotels in the centre of London still family owned and run.
The St Athan's is also one of the minority of hotels in London that has family rooms that can accommodate five, a double bed and 3 single beds - no sofa beds and such like for the kids.
The hotel has been with the same family since 1964.
The St Athans hotel is made up of several Georgian town houses (Grade II Listed status). It is located to the north of the Bloomsbury area close to Tavistock Square and the University and medical schools.
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The British Museum, Russell Square and Euston Underground stations are just a few minutes walk away.
Breakfast is a highlight of staying here. Orange Juice Tea, Coffee or Hot chocolate Cereals, eggs (a choice of fried, scrambled or boiled), bacon (premium rindless back), sausage, plum peeled tomato, baked beans, with a selection of sauces and condiments, Toast (brown and white), butter, jam and marmalade.
St Athans Hotel Bloomsbury |
St Athans Bloomsbury - Typical Reviews
"I had a single room (the biggest one ever on my various stays in London :) ) out the back, so it was very quiet. The room was very clean as far as I could see and so were the toilets. Some of the showers could do with a refurbishment, but you were always free to use another one.
Breakfast was more than I ever expected for this price and I liked it.
The location in Bloomsbury is unbeatable, and you got 6 tube lines (District and Circle, Metropolitan and Piccadilly, Victoria and Northern) not far away to reach all the other destinations if you don't want to try to cycle (I did the Barcley Cicle Hire Thingy) your way through the City. I would definitly go there again. "
" I am self-employed and so have to fund hotels myself which is why they need to be super cheap. I had a few meetings lined up for a 3 day business trip so booked to stay here for two nights. It is a family run B&B and the woman who took my booking was really pleasant and friendly. It gets booked up fast so do call up as soon as you known when you need a room. They only had different rooms on the consecutive nights I needed, so she booked me into a single room for one night and double for the next.
The double is slightly more expensive but she said she had one at the back of the building that was quiet, so I agreed. The hotel is an excellent location, walking distance from Russel Square, Holbon and similar tubes. There are quite a few cheap B&Bs on the same road. When I arrived the receptionist infomed me that they had a cancellation and I could have the quiet double room for two nights. She gave me the keys so I could look at both rooms.
The single room was overlooking a main road but I suspected noise would not be too bad as it was the 3rd floor. The double room however looked really nice and seemed quiet so I took it for two nights, which seemed like a bargain! Both rooms were up some winding stairs, but I had no difficulty reaching them . You don't expect a concierge in a cheap central London B&B. People who cannot carry luggae up these stairs clearly have too much luggage and could not carry it down the street - it is their problem. I had a moderate amount of luggage and easily managed to carry it up.
Both rooms are quite spartan and basic but they have a desk and wardrobe. I prefer the double rooms as they are nicer and yet still good value for money. The single rooms are a tad depressing and you wouldnt want to sit in it all day, but fine if you are just sleeping in it. I had some work to do so did it at my desk under the window and worked away peacefully with no disturbances. I had an excellent night's sleep and slept like a rock.
The breakfast wasn't my scene especially. It's instant coffee (yuck) and horrid plastic bowls with cornflakes in and warmish milk on disgusting tablecloth-ed tables, cramped in with loads of other people, mainly tourists from mainland Europe . I didn't take the cooked breakfast as I can't stand that kind of thing so can't comment. One day I had scrambled eggs which was ok, but in short th breakfast is nothing to write home about. They don't have tea/coffee making facilities in the bedroom but that didn't bother me as there are supermarkets nearby where you can buy drinks and who drinks/likes the kind of instant tea and revolting tea normally on offer in B&Bs? Sorry, but I would rather go to Starbucks outside so it did not bother me it wasn't there.
The most important thing you want when like me you need a cheap place to stay in central London is a ) a comfortable bed b) safety c) a good location you can safely walk to at night and b) quietness. The other things (breakfast, tea/coffee/concierge) are not important. When you come home you have to ring the main door to get in and someone is there all night so it's not a problem...and they are cool about whatever time you come back. I quite liked it as it made it feel safe and when you come back they check you are a guest etc."
"We stayed in the ensuite family room. It was basic, but very good access to the Russell Square station. Breakfast was hearty and plentiful. Small bath, narrow stairways, but overall we thought it was a great choice. "
We stayed 2 nights in this hotel. We really felt to be welcome here, staff is very nice and friendly, helpful and available at all times. If you need an hair drier or to chat about every subject that may come to mind, this is the right place! More than a hotel, this place looks like a hostel... where else can you find a block notes filled in by visitors full of local suggestions? Obviously, this is no paradise: rooms are small (but clean), bathroom is shared, there is no lift (this is a 4 floor building). But price is definitely below average, we found it a very good deal! "
"It is nothing fancy and a lot of the rooms and furniture is quite old-fashioned, but it is very clean and the staff are very friendly and helpful. The toilets and shower rooms (either en-suite or shared) are fitted out to a very high standard. Nice and clean as well as modern in style.
The rooms are more basic, but the shower definitely makes up for it in my books! Was slightly dubious of the shared bathroom system, but there are so many and only ever a few doors away from your room that this was never a problem for me. Haven't yet had to wait to use the toilet or shower - bonus!
The English breakfast is a great start to the morning and staff always welcoming when coming and going. Remember this is a 'no frills' hotel - you'll need all your own toiletries and wi-fi is only available in the shared lounge. Also beware the top floor rooms with large suitcases, as the last flight of stairs can get quite steep! "
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