Club Quarters St. Paul's, London

Club Quarters began as a members-only hotel in Boston, and has now grown to include twelve hotels in the US and UK - a thirteenth is opening shortly at the old Ministry of Defence headquarters site in Northumberland Avenue. The ethos of Club Quarters is to provide a comfortable and competitively-priced in a club-like atmosphere. However for the average traveller in London the secret of staying at Club Quarters for a good price (whether the St. Paul's ...
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The club room has free internet access (three computers at the time of writing) a large screen television, comfortable armchairs, connection points for internet, newspapers, magazines and tea and coffee making facilities.

Many, or most, rooms are disabled-friendly since the bathrooms have walk-in showers rather than baths and there are very few steps to negotiate throughout the hotel.

There are ... more

Club Quarters began as a members-only hotel in Boston, and has now grown to include twelve hotels in the US and UK - a thirteenth is opening shortly at the old Ministry of Defence headquarters site in Northumberland Avenue. The ethos of Club Quarters is to provide a comfortable and competitively-priced in a club-like atmosphere. However for the average traveller in London the secret of staying at Club Quarters for a good price (whether the St. Paul's or Gracechurch versions) is normally to avoid weekdays when the price shoots up, driven by the business customers or members.

Although many tourists flock to the hotels in the West End and the Kensington to Earl's Court area, there is a lot to be said for the City as a tourist location. Many of London's oldest places of interest are located in, or near it, it is the most interesting part of the Thames (featuring some impressive views especially from the nearby Millennium Bridge) and, believe it or not, it is quite peaceful at weekends - compared to the hubbub of central London. The Ttae Modern and Globe Theatre are a short hop across the bridge away.

The hotel is well situated for transport. St Paul's tube station is the closest, City Thameslink has trains to Gatwick and Luton airports. The hotel is also a short taxi ride away from London Bridge, Blackfriars and other mainline stations. I understand parking is also available although this being the City I would expect it to be prohibitively expensive.

The nature of the hotel means you don't have much contact with staff - you check in with your own card in a machine - but generally they are efficient, with varying degrees of friendliness thrown in. An advantage is that this tends to reduce check-in time - provided there is no technologically-challenged guest!

The hotel has two reasonably fast and smooth lifts to take you up to your room. They do require insertion of your room-card before they will function. This type of lift is supposed to enhance security but I happen to think it's a bother.

Although the rooms have fairly standard (modern) furnishings and decoration they can vary significantly in size, and not just because of the number of guests they can accommodate but due to the nature of the building. To be fair they range from comfortable to quite roomy. Beds are comfortable, although not as hard as I would like them but that is a personal preference. Rooms tend to be decorated and furnished in blues and whites, with modern colourful prints on the walls.

All rooms have television with terrestrial and some satellite channels. The ubiquitous pay-movies which try and con you into seeing them are also available. Modem connections are also available in all rooms. Most importantly (for me) all rooms have a CD player! This is a feature which is not seen enough in London - perhaps music retailers should sponsor them as it always has an effect on my buying habits! In addition the rooms have tea and coffee making facilities and at least a microwave which may be handy for those on a budget or prone to eating at odd hours. There is an extensive list of take away restaurants which will make deliveries to the hotel.

Rooms facing onto Ludgate Hill often have a view of St. Paul's Cathedral and others face onto to the Stationer's Hall, a beautifully restored historic building dating back to 1673 and situated on the wonderfully named Ave Maria Lane. Fans of sixties pop may wish to know that Amen Corner is also in the vicinity!

Rooms are double-glazed, those facing Ludgate Hill need to be with the busy city traffic, and fully equipped with air conditioning. The hotel itself is relatively quiet and it is easy to get a restful sleep here although there are occasions when younger crowds, no doubt attracted by the price, do make it a bit noisier.

All the rooms also have the same four books including "London" by Edward Rutherfurd, an encyclopaedia and a guide to London. These books are for use whilst staying in the hotel - not to keep!

The restaurant Percento is attached to the hotel and has a bistro and bar on the top floor and a restaurant in the basement which also opens early for breakfast.

There is a small well-maintained gym with several treadmills and other equipment and facilities are available for meetings, presentations and courses. You can also apparently get fitness equipment delivered to your room, although I have never tried this service.

The club room has free internet access (three computers at the time of writing) a large screen television, comfortable armchairs, connection points for internet, newspapers, magazines and tea and coffee making facilities.

Many, or most, rooms are disabled-friendly since the bathrooms have walk-in showers rather than baths and there are very few steps to negotiate throughout the hotel.

There are points throughout the hotel where to get extra supplies for the room buy snacks from vending machines or laundry.

I paid an average of £80.00 a night through lastminute.com. At this price Club Quarters is a bargain. I have had up to £175.00 quoted sometimes on a weekday, and at that price it is rather less attractive. Overall though this is a very clean and comfortable hotel which gives good value for money.
 

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