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My brother suggested that we booked a room in the Parkside Hotel, Finsbury Park, as it is only a two minute walk from their flat and it is one of the nicer hotels in the area.
We had a look on their website and were impressed enough to book a room for the following Saturday night.
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...booked a room in the Parkside Hotel, Finsbury Park, as it is only a two minute walk from their flat and it is one of the nicer hotels in the area.
We had a look on their website and were impressed enough to book a room for the following Saturday night.
On the Saturday morning, we got up early and I drove myself and my boyfriend, Jay, down to London. I printed directions to the hotel and while they got us there ok, ... ...piece.
The Parkside Hotel is situated on Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, London N4. It is opposite Finsbury Park, about half way between Finsbury Park and Manor House Underground Stations. It is located far enough out of London not to be caught in the congestion charge, for now, but close enough that you can get on the underground and be in Central London, including Westminster and Oxford Street in less than half an hour.
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On Valentines Day 2006 my sister-in-law gave birth to my niece, Rosa. As my brother and sister-in-law live in London and I live in Stoke-on-Trent I was dying to pay them a visit to see little Rosa.
My brother suggested that we booked a room in the Parkside Hotel, Finsbury Park, as it is only a two minute walk from their flat and it is one of the nicer hotels in the area.
We had a look on their website and were impressed enough to book a room for the following Saturday night.
On the Saturday morning, we got up early and I drove myself and my boyfriend, Jay, down to London. I printed directions to the hotel and while they got us there ok, my brother told us later that there is a better route, which would have cut out sitting in traffic for an hour. But alas we got there in one piece.
The Parkside Hotel is situated on Seven Sisters Road, Finsbury Park, London N4. It is opposite Finsbury Park, about half way between Finsbury Park and Manor House Underground Stations. It is located far enough out of London not to be caught in the congestion charge, for now, but close enough that you can get on the underground and be in Central London, including Westminster and Oxford Street in less than half an hour.
The hotel itself is quite large for a bed and breakfast. It consists of what looks like four quite large semi-detached houses knocked into one big building, with the reception area in the middle. There is also a large car park around the back which if for guests only and is free of charge. This makes a large difference to us as we won't stay anywhere if we have no where safe to leave the car.
On entering the hotel you are greeted with a large reception area. We checked in quickly, you do have to fill in a form with your name, address and vehicle information. This is so that they know whose car is whose and they don't tow anyone is staying at the hotel.
The Room ========
We were given the key to our room and shown which to go. You can see and smell the freshness as you walk though the corridors. I knew that if our room was this clean then I would be happy staying there. My motto is, as long as it is clean and the price is right then I am happy.
Anyway, our room was on the second floor, and unfortunately there are no lifts, so it may not be suitable if you are disabled, unless you asked for a room on the ground floor.
On entering the room, we were greeted with quite a large room with views of the park. While it was nice to have the view it was quite noisy with the Hotel being on a main road, but with me having to wear earplugs anyway because of Jay's snoring, it wasn't too much of a problem for me, but you may want to ask for a room at the back if you are a light sleeper.
We were given a family room, probably because when we visited it was quite quiet. In the room, there was a double bed, a single bed, a dressing table and mirror, two chairs, one at the dressing table one by the window, a large wardrobe containing a safe, a small remote control TV, and an en-suite bathroom. There was also a kettle, cups, coffee sachets, tea bags, sugar and milk. Basically everything you need for a nights stay. There is also a phone that I presume you would pay for on departure.
The en-suite bathroom was quite small, but what you would expect. Our room had a shower, I'm not sure, but other rooms may have a bath. In the bathroom, there was a basket of toiletries including shower gel, soap, and body lotion. You are also provided with a bath towel and hand towel each.
The room itself was very clean, and the bed clothes looked as crisp and white as the day they were bought, so we were happy.
The Rest of the Hotel =================
The hotel has 54 rooms in total, including single rooms, double and family. There are five floors in the hotel with most of the rooms on floors one and two.
The reception area is manned 24 hours a day so that you can come and go as you please, where as some that I have been to you have to be back by 11 pm so that you can get in. All the staff that we spoke to were very friendly.
There is a TV/Smoking room adjacent to reception where you can sit and relax. There is also a licensed bar in the basement, which is open until midnight. There isn't the greatest variety of drinks on offer, but I'm sure that most people would find something that they enjoy. The prices weren't too bad either, £2.50 for a pint of Fosters. You might be thinking that's a bit steep, but we were in a hotel bar in London. Sandwiches and snacks are also available.
Then there is the breakfast room. This is quite large and also in the basement. Breakfast is served 7am to 10 am weekdays and 8am to 10am weekends. On entering the breakfast room, you are greeted and told to sit anywhere you like. You can then make your choice of hot breakfasts, ranging from beans on toast to a Traditional English. While you are waiting for your breakfast to be cooked, you are given toast, and you can help yourself to the various cereals on offer, dried fruits, fruit juice and tea or coffee. We opted for the traditional English breakfast, and it was delicious, and set us up for the day ahead.
We did see one person getting their breakfast on a tray, and taking it back to their room, so if you are disabled and not able to get down to the dining room then room service may be available.
Tariffs and Booking ===============
We booked online, using their secure reservation. You do need a credit/debit card for this. You can also email the hotel or telephone them. We only booked on the Wednesday prior to going, but you will probably have to book at lot earlier in busier seasons.
Costs of the rooms
Standard Single (without en-suite) - £40 per night Standard Twin - £52 En-suite Single - £53 En-suite Double - £64 En-suite Family - £75
Checking in time at the hotel, is no earlier than 2pm. We checked in at 2.30pm, and the girl on reception had to ask whether the room was ready yet, which it was. Checking out time is at 11.30 am on the day of your departure.
As far as I am aware, they're aren't any discounts when booking several nights, when I did a tarriff search the prices were the same whether you visited in the week or at the weekend.
Around the Hotel =============
Fair enough you don't travel all the way to London without seeing the sights, my legs ached from all the walking that we did. We went to see the Houses of Parliament, Whitehall, Trafalgar Square, The Strand, Buckingham Palace, and even managed to go on the London Eye, but that's another review in itself. Blimey, we managed to fit all that into one day and spend time with the baby, she is gorgeous by the way.
If you are visiting family like we were though, and are not interested in going into town then have a walk around the park itself. There are also lots and lots of shops in the area. If you go out of the hotel and turn left then keep on walking, then you get to the main part, where you can get something to eat. There are many restaurants, we went to a lovely Italian, but there is also a Wetherspoons and a KFC if you want a quick meal.
If you do want to go into Central London, the underground stations are only a five minute walk away. If you turn right out of the hotel you will get to Manor House station, and if you turn left then you will end up at Finsbury Park station, the latter maybe your better option as it serves both Victoria and Piccadilly Lines.
Conclusion =========
All in all, the hotel is a good base for visiting London, whether you are staying for one night, or for a week. In fact, we are booking up again to go in a couple of weeks.
