Review rated by 29 Ciao members on average: very helpful
The Ashley Hotel is a superb, well-priced B&Bhotel in a gorgeous location in central London. It is situated in Norfolk Square, Paddington, and is just 2 minutes walk from Paddington station.
Paddington itself is a buzzing district of London adjacent to the West End, and is packed full of shops, restaurants, bars etc. Norfolk Square is an oasis of tranquility amongst this. It is a square (obviously) of tall, elegant Victorian mansions, all of which have been turned into budget hotels.
The hotels are painted white and cream, and have tall windows and beautiful old railings outside. In the centre of them all is a railed garden. Obviously, it was once a place of residence for people of means in the Upstairs-Downstairs tradition. The Ashley Hotel comprises 3 mansions made into one, and has 50 (I think) rooms.
The reception is well-lit and welcoming, and the two receptionists I encountered on my one night stay were very friendly and helpful. My room was up four flights of stairs and easy to find.
It was a single, but had a double bed, which I always find a very nice touch. There was also room enough for me to do some yoga stretching after a particularly arduous train and tube journey, which I appreciated.
There was a private loo and shower, too. Facilities and amenities were good - tea/coffee making stuff with plenty of milk thingies, a colour tv, and a radio. An outside phone line is available (at 20p per unit), you can book an alarm call with reception, but there is no room service available for food/drinks.
There is a lounge on the lower ground floor with payphone, and you can get hot/cold and alcoholic drinks here. There is also an excellent range of tourist guides and information.
After a fine sleep in my comfy bed, I went down for breakfast into an airy lower ground floor dining room where I was greeted warmly by a smiling waitress. The food was superb - cereals, toast, and virtually whatever you want full-English wise - and the waitress was always available to bring more tea/cofee/toast/whatever. Breakfast is served from 7.30 until 9 am, which gives plenty of scope.
My room was £50 for one night's b&b, which I think is extremely reasonable for this part of London. I booked direct with the hotel, but you can book via e-mail or through www.hotels-london.co.uk which I have since found offers a discount on the price I paid and could have saved me a fiver. For a double or twin, the cost is lower per person.
One note of caution - there is no lift, and there are 2 flights of stairs between each floor, so it is not suitable for disabled people (or the unfit, unless you specially ask for a ground or first floor room).
Overall, I was absolutely delighted with this friendly, reasonably priced B&B hotel in a terrific location and will definetely stay there again.
added bonus of being set in a garden square with no through traffic so that guests can enjoy the best of both worlds-a quiet hotel which is at the same time just a ston...
14.08.2001 17:19
Sounds really nice. Good op. Elle.
20.05.2001 13:23
Sounds great, but does it cater for children?
20.05.2001 12:49
sounds great, I hope you are feeling happier soon. I'm sure the weather doesn't help. We need some sun in our lifes.