Berkeley Court Hotel

top floor room - they said it was the only one available with private bath - 5th floor by American counting - steep stairs with shallow steps, had to step sideways going down. Not very safe. Glad there wasn't a fire and I wouldn't put it past a place like that to have a fire.

no toilet paper. we had to ask at the desk (4 floors down) - clerk gave us an open roll that was sitting beside him. Obviously it was a normal thing for him. He said that 'she forgot' - meaning the maid, I assumed. our room looked fairly clean and adequate at first glance, tho very small but we wanted to be very near hyde park, so accepted that this might mean some compromises. I hadn't read this so didn't know about the bedbugs or hair. I did not get any bites or find any disgusting surprises, but didn't look for them. My friend's bed was so uncomfortable that she had unaccustomed back pain after the first night that increased each night. My bed was nothing special but ok. it did make a lot of noise every time i moved, so it didn't help my friend to sleep cause i move a lot.

It looked like the room had been cleaned at least superficially. But after we checked in, it was never cleaned. no drinking glass in bathroom. shower door falling apart. no place to hang coats except one broken wall hanger with one wire hanger - in a twin room that will obviously house 2 people. windows boarded shut at about 6 inches max opening. no AC. thankfully it was not very warm because the street was so noisy that we could not even leave this open. i asked for a fan but never got it. my friend wanted an extra blanket and was told it would be taken up, but when we got back to the room, it was not there and she had to go down those famous stairs for it. I shamed the middle aged Iraqi owner into carrying up the luggage - the young Chinese reception staff would not even consider carrying luggage. They were very smiley and superficially polite but little came of it.

You can't expect too much from a budget hotel, and if you have astma or is allergy prone - sorry, you just have to book something fancier...

After having read all these gruesome reviews, I was a bit discouraged...

I actually didn 't read them until very close to departure and didn't have other "options" within budget. Me and my sister left for London trembling, but that was uncalled for! Sure, some of the staff members aren't 100% attentive, but the "night guy" - a real doll! We got to see our room before checking in, all was fine, (we even had extra towels and soaps :-) fancy that!). It's close to Oxford Street for shopping, Hyde Park for relaxation and Marble Arch Underground station (on the red, central line) for when you want to move around London. I'll book this hotel again next time I go!