My opinion had always been that London hotels were overpriced but the needless expense was something you put up with if you wanted or needed to overnight in the capital. However when we found ourselves having to spend a night in London en route back from a Christmas in Brussels my mission was to find us the cheapest place possible in a convenient location. I therefore looked for a triple room (cheaper than a single and a double) and within walking distance of one of the two stations we were using (Euston and Waterloo) and came across this hotel.

We arrived at out 1.30pm to find an open front door but an unmanned reception desk and no bell to summon attention. After a while, probably no longer than 5 minutes, a member of staff arrived and checked us in even though it was before check-in time (2pm). We assumed they were quite empty, not seeing any other guests, but the breakfast room in the morning told a different story.

The room had a double bed, a sofa bed and a camp bed though it seemed unlikely that one would be able to fold out both of the latter two at the same time. It was a bit cramped with the 3 of us but had it been done simply as a room for 2 then it would have been at least the same size as most motel chains. There was a fancy, wall-mounted plasma screen TV though I didn't find the satellite channels listed on the website (unless Channel 5 doesn't come as standard in the south?) and a writing desk and chair, complete with tea and coffee making facilities (and, a nice touch, 3 packets of shortbread). The en suite was built into a corner of the room rather than as an extension to it as in most places, and included a powerful shower and free toiletries (soaps and shampoo only, but still, useful to have). The whole place was spotless, modern and a pleasant surprise.

The following morning we went for breakfast which was listed on the website as "full English", something that doesn't do much to inspire 3 vegetarians, especially given our experience of other English hotels, but once more we were pleasantly surprised to find a small buffet and , again, there was much more than you would expect for a British hotel in this price band. The buffet included little boxes of Kelloggs cereals (full marks for brand names and for having fresh sachets rather than big communal bowls). There were yoghurts and fruit too, and regularly refilled jugs of various fruit juices and what looked like cordial. They even had small individual cheddars though in the absence of crusty rolls I'm not quite sure what they expected to do with them.

The dining room, in the basement, was pleasantly laid out and decorated with lovely stripped wood floors and neat tables. On one wall was a large TV which was showing Channel 4 when we were there, probably because Friends and Will and Grace are more appealing that the cartoons they were showing on the other channels that day, what with it being shortly after Christmas (the photo on the website implies you'll be munching away to the BBC Breakfast…) The breakfast room could seat about 20 people and most of the tables were full while we were there, dispelling the myth that we were the only guests in residence.