Scala House

This is a beautiful hotel, so quaint and yet so glamorous. The service is wonderful and just what you need nothing more nothing less.

Very conveniently located, very easy to find would definitely recommend it to everyone.

I'm of two minds as I write this review. Our stay wasn't perfect but Scala House was sold by the long-time owners several months ago and will be closing to short-term stays as of this coming May. Therefore, I have to think that perhaps our stay isn't completely representative of how the property would have been, say, a year or two ago. I'd bet a fiver the new owners haven't put a dime into the property since the sale back in Oct/Nov 2006.

The main value for your money is the amount of space: Two bedrooms, a large living/dining combination, great kitchen fully kitted out, a full bath and a powder room, and a tiny little ledge (balcony isn't really correct) to lean out on as you have your monring coffee. Right there it was worth it for us, every penny. My husband is a late-night, up watching TV person and I'm in bed by 10-11pm. If we'd had to stay in a standard sized hotel room we'd have driven each other crazy.

The hotel is very centrally located, a block from the Goodge St Station for the Northern Line and a 5-minute walk from Tottenham Court Rd for the Central. A friend of ours who lives in London seemed to feel this wasn't a great area, but we never felt anything but safe. Great restaurants, grocery stores, shopping, and right across the road is a great greasy spoon, Gig's. (Get the chicken doner or falafel. A 'large' for £3.80 will feed two. And the fish and chips were so heavy in the bag I thought my husband had bought a six-pack of beer. And the guys behind the counter are super nice. We loved Gigs. It was the first thing we said we missed when we were home.)

As for the negatives: The property is very dated and shabby, but the prior reviews and even the website pictures make this clear. (The people who seem shocked in their reviews at what the place looks like must not do ANY research at all. ) The construction next door caused a water shutoff to the hotel for a few hours our first day, which was profusely apologized for by the management. The beds are firm and the blankets a little thin. The housekeeping seems a little overwhelmed (the shower curtain was still in the washing machine and our dishwasher was still running at arrival.)

But all in all, we loved it. It was clean and had plenty of towels (and wash cloths!) The caulking at the sink and around the windows might not have stood close inspection, but I can't say it would in my own home, either.

We didn't notice any unusual odors other than people's smelly cigarette smoke seeping into our hallway from other rooms.

The driver who collected us from Heathrow said he'd been taking passengers for Scala House for over 15 years and that to keep the prices low, the Palos' just hadn't put any money into the property to keep it modern. But really, people need to understand that's where the value comes from. Yes, it's a 70's shabby look, but the space was more than my first apartment ever had.

We paid £770 for the week; by comparison, we could have stayed at the Travel Inn County Hall for £693 in one small room with a bathroom you have to stand sideways to get into.

Chris and Boba in management were truly a pleasure; helpful, sincere, really concerned with making sure everything was going well, despite the fact that they're all losing their jobs in less than two months. The desk is staffed 24/7 and we were always met with a smile and a quick answer to any questions. The people really make the property.

As we left, Boba advised they were looking at buildings and would be hopefully opening their own property for short-term rentals, "much nicer looking" but with all the same people in charge.

I really hope so; when they open, I'll be lining up for my reservation.

This was our second stay at Scala House. We therefore knew what to expect. The apartments are quite run down. They (desperately) need refurbishing, especially the bathroom. The furniture should have been changed some time ago. At the time we stayed there, London was quite cold, and we found the apartment difficult to heat. Further not much hot water to share among three people either. However not to forget the bright sides: There are a complete kitchen with both a dishwasher and a washing machine (combined dryer). In this flat both the dishwasher and de washing machine was brand new. The living room is sizable with a dining table sofa and some chairs. Small TV and ADSL connection (since I didn’t bring a laptop I can’t comment on the ADSL connection). The smallest bedroom is small! There are no room for a suitcase. The largest bedroom is well sized. There are a safe in the closet of the larger bedroom (opened with a key). You’ll find blueprints of the flats on Scala House’s homepage. Towels and bed linen seam very clean. The apartment also seamed clean, but the wall to wall carpeting has a rather nondescript colour so it’s a bit hard to say.

Scala ouse has a good location. Close to the Tube, Tesco metro just around the corner. 5 minutes walk and you are on Oxford Street, a few more minutes and Chinatown, Soho and Theatreland are in reach. Not to forget there are a friendly and helpful staff present around the clock.