At the beginning of each month I want to show you places where I’d rather be at that very moment. As you know I am constantly either travelling or dreaming of travelling and I want to share my favourite bars, restaurants, hotels, cities and countries around the world with you. And I am looking for your recommendations for my next trips.
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In London location is everything for me. Because no matter how nice a room is, you are in one of the liveliest cities in the world. So why would you want to sit in your room?
Especially if the rooms are as tiny as they are in London. I think these are the rules for London hotel rooms: no matter what price you pay it is always tiny and the window always overlooks a courtyard with smelly garbage bins which will be emptied every morning around 5am. So don’t expect to sleep in. Bring as little luggage as possible, because there is literally no space in the room to store it and you want to you shopping anyway, don’t you?
My favourite hotel in London is My Hotel. True, it is in line the general rules (tiny! Garbage bins!), but it has a lot of wonderful things to offer:
The best location ever! Just a mini walk away from Tottenham Court Road, a very central tube station and also the start of the big shopping mile Oxford Street. The theatre district and Soho with all its wonderful small shops and affordable eateries are close as well. So you can easily drop your shopping bags, take a little nap before heading out for evening entertainment. Oh and for those who love culture, the British Museum is just around the corner.
The design: Minimalistic – sophisticated – beautiful! From my point of view the only style that is suitable for those mini hotel rooms. Not a single piece of furniture that you could spare. Everything you need but nothing more. A splash of colour. A splash of modern photography. Comfy cushions and blankets.
The bathroom. This tiny bathroom has more to offer than first meets the eye. No carpet – I have no idea why but for whatever reason British hotel interior designer have a soft spot for thick, fluffy carpet in the bathroom. Yuuuuck! It has a bathtub – a bit smaller than standard but still something you can sit in and relax after a day running across the city. Heaven!
The lovely little extras A little water heater to make yourself a cup of tea or Nescafe in the mornings. Or a hot chocolate before going to bed. A free bottle of water. A fresh apple every day (because it keeps the doctor away ;-)). Real plants which haven’t died ages ago. A stereo. A TV.
Make sure to book early though, because unfortunately a lot of people have discovered how lovely it is there. Rates are expensive (but what isn’t in London), but if you want to save a few pounds just book without breakfast. There are a lot of nice coffee shops on Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Street (my favourite: Cafe Nero), where you get great coffee, amazing sandwiches, freshly squeezed juice and good people-watching for a fraction of the price.
myhotel Bloomsbury
11-13 Bayley Street
Bedford Square, London, WC1B 3HD
telephone: +44(0) 20 3004 6000
fax: +44(0) 20 3004 6044
email:
bloomsbury@myhotels.com
3 comments:
Hi,
I used to like MyHotel and stayed there a couple of times. Yet, I think the prices are too high for what you get.
If you don't mind staying in Hipster-infested Shoreditch, I recommend The Hoxton Hotel. The prices are better than MyHotel, the rooms are bigger, and the overall experience is better than at MyHotel.
They sometimes even have 1 GBP rooms if you're quick enough.
Hi Mike,
what a great insider tip! 1GBP for such a stylish room in the middle of London? That is unbelievable. That leaves so much more money to spend on Oxford Street ;-) Thank you very much for sharing - I will definitely try to book this hotel next time.
Cheers,
Ninotschka
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