Executive Rooms By Shaftesbury, London

I booked this hotel for me and my friend when we visited london for her birthday.

The hotel is located at the far end of Hogarth Street from Earls Court Tube station (you can walk to the hotel in approx 3-4 minutes from the entrance to the station.)

One thing that was not explained when i booked the hotel online was that you actually check in to the sister hotel 'Best Western The Shaftesbury London Kensington' located just around the corner....on the website these are shown as separate hotels so why would i think to check in there!

When locating our hotel we were very confused as to why we could not get in and it was only on enquiring at the other hotel we established that this is where we need to check in. When you check in you are given 2 small cards the size of a bank card. I don't stay in hotels that often so i presumed these were room key cards (1 for each of us)....unfortunately they didn't explain, or check to see if we knew, that one of these cards was for the door and the other one was for the electricity in the room! It took us about 2 hours before we figured this out as the TV worked, as did the electric shower!!!

Check in times at the hotel are from 2pm, however you can check in early and they will keep your luggage at reception until you are able to get into your room which was a perk as we had 2 suitcases and a desire to hit oxford street shopping but were not looking forward to dragging a suitcase on the tube and through the crowds!

Shopping over and back to our rooms, we were impressed with the cleanliness of the hotel. Our room had a comfortable double bed, dressing table with chair and a small fridge built in. The room also includes a small LCD tv (approx 19"),wardrobe with an ironing board and mini safe in it and kettle with tea and coffee facilities.

The bathroom was great although we were unable to open the window and we overlooked the side of a premier lodge hotel staff entrance. As the window was not frosted glass, it was a case of pulling the blind down for your own privacy!!!

The shower/bath facilities were fantastic and we both commented on how nice the power shower was.You are provided with nice white towels and a shampoo and body wash. Unfortunately the bathroom was quite small so when having a shower there is not a big shower screen or curtain and therefore the whole bathroom gets soaked from the water spray!

After a trip to the theatre and pleasant nights sleep, it was time to head off for the complimentary breakfast in the sister hotel round the corner. You can help yourself to a full english, cereal, croissants and tea/coffee and juices.

Check out is by 12pm and again they will keep hold of your suitcases until you are ready to leave.

Overall there were a few minor glitches with our stay but the hotel was very nice and i would quite happily stay there again and recommend it to my friends

I paid £102 for our room for one night but if you are willing to risk waiting till a couple of days before your trip then you could pick up the same room for £65 which is a great price in the Kensington Area of london