Church Street Hotel

Despite looking very average from the outside as the Tapas Bar is not open at present, the desk service in the evening and morning was very welcoming/ The free drink and DVD facilities were also shown and the arrangement was laid back. Room was a bit tight but well provided for including organic chocolate! Great to have solid pillows and a firm mattress. More than made up for the view of wasteland out the back (temporary it has to be said)! I'd certainly recommend it to anyone. Buses straight to KX and Esuton

I've just stayed at the Church Street Hotel for one night, while attending a weekend course in London. The exterior of the hotel is unassuming, but the interior design with a Mexican feel is quirky and fun. I love the bright colours! The staff were friendly, helped me carry my luggage to the room, and gave me good information on local restaurants and buses. There are buses which stop on the road outside the hotel, and which will take you to and from central London, including to various Underground stations. That is very handy, and especially if there's disruption to the tube trains.

I felt OK in the area where the hotel is located. It's where people live, so there are lots of grocery shops where I could buy fruit, etc. I bought a nice pastry from a shop across the road, for instance. There's lots of good restaurants to eat in. The feel of the area might seem rough to some people - I didn't feel particularly anxious there. There's a bustling feel to the street, and the hotel itself is calm and bright on the inside.

The single room I stayed in was small, but I would expect that of a boutique hotel in London, and there was just enough room for me and my luggage. Everything was very clean. There was free wifi, a flatscreen TV and a DVD player in the room, and I could borrow a range of DVDs to watch if I wanted. The room had some free Green & Black's chocolate, homemade hot sauce, and bottled water. There were paperback copies of books to read, including Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, which I'd just been talking about with a friend! So that was another lovely, homely touch.

The bed was extremely comfortable, had what felt like fluffy down pillows, and I slept like a log in it! There was a power shower in the bathroom with plenty of hot water, and some lovely toiletries which smelled yummy. The towels were fluffy and huge! I've never seen such a huge bath towel anywhere else! There was adjustable air conditioning in the room. I'd say the only problem was that there was some noise from air conditioning units outside my window, but that was white noise, and didn't stop me getting to sleep. There was less noise than I'd expected from the street outside - that didn't bother me.

Tea and coffee were self-serve in the guest lounge, and there's an honesty bar there too. Breakfast was also served in the lounge. It's a very good continental breakfast, with a choice of cereals, freshly squeezed fruit juices, teas and coffee, toast, yoghurt, and some very nice pastries, with a range of jams, condiments, etc.

I enjoyed my stay at the Church Street Hotel, would be happy to stay there again if I'm in London, and also to recommend it to friends.

Walking to the Church Street Hotel from Oval Station is not a good idea. Some maps have it listed as 0.25 miles, but its closer to a 1.0 to 1.5. Also, the neighbourhood, at first glance, is what a more snooty individual would call 'dodgy'. And it is, indeed, not a typical touristy London borough. This is where 'real' londoners live and work; and it has a large Nigerian population. So the initial impression, for some people, might be, 'what have I gotten myself into'. However, once inside Church Street you enter an Oasis. The attention to detail is amazing. Organic choc, imported still water and homemade chilli sauce is in all rooms, which are bursting with colour and charm. They all have nice working fans, double windows to keep noise out, and beautiful tiled basins or bathrooms. And if you get a shared, it is usually only one or two other people using it with you. I never even saw another person use ours; however, since they have received such glowing reviews they are getting very busy. The pillows are big and comfortable, as are the beds and duvets. The towels are real Egyptian cotton, soft and luxurious; and the main towel is GIGANTIC. The largest hotel towel I have ever seen! The toiletries are so good and smell so great I almost wanted to eat them!! The rooms are also very clean, as is the entire hotel. The breakfast is also amazing, fresh and delicious. The staff are also the most helpful I have ever encountered. Vinnie is a star! The bar also works on the honour system, so you simply help yourself. Now, some might still be scared off by its location. No tube nearby, and expensive by taxi; however, buses 12, 36 and 436 run right outside the hotel regularly and go straight into the heart of London. It takes about 30 min to get from the door of the hotel to Picadilly Circus. Not bad. And you aren't stuck in the tube and walking up and down up and down. Trust me, if my 60 yr old parents from Iowa, USA can navigate and manage, so can you!! Overall, wonderful hotel, a true gem. The only warning is that there is no elevator, so if your very old, or have problems using your legs, you must get a ground floor room, as its a steep trek to some room. But if your physically fit your fine!