Henry VIII Hotel

The Henry VIII Hotel is built into a white Victorian building with a set of twin black doors. Pleasant and classic on the outside, it's drab on the inside. Stylistic touches in the lobby -- including a wood-paneled reception counter and hanging coats of arms -- are the hotel's most forceful attempts at an aesthetic. The vibe is traditionally English (despite what resemble Roman murals on the walls). Worn velvet couches offer a place for guests to congregate. Carpets are grayish-brown and a bit faded. The hotel looks like it's in need  of an update, though nothing is dire. Overall, the Henry VIII's greatest selling point is its price-level for its location, which is reasonable considering its proximity to Hyde Park. That said, its tired appearance might be frustrating to more design-conscious guests. 

The Henry VIII Hotel is located on a quiet residential street in the heart of Paddington, a short walk to the Paddington, Queensway, and Bayswater tube stations. Hyde Park and Kensington Palace are just a few minutes' walk from the hotel, while Portobello Road -- known for its numerous boutiques -- is a 10-minute cab ride away or a long 27-minute walk. Heathrow is half an hour away on the Heathrow Express, which leaves from Paddington. 

Rooms at the Henry VIII Hotel are small and plain and look more like typical U.K. university dorms than central London hotel rooms. Plaid curtains and small framed prints offer the only color. Rooms come with narrow writing desks and armoires and are outfitted with kettles, safes, air-conditioning units, and small flat-screen TVs. In some rooms, the layout of this furniture is downright awkward, creating narrow passages between the desks and the beds. Likewise, bathrooms are small and difficult to maneuver and have shower/tub combos. Rooms come in Twin, Double, Triple, and Family configurations, but in some Twin Rooms the beds are pushed together to form doubles, so it's best to inquire when booking. There's also a single Suite. 

While overall quite drab and uninspiring, the hotel does have a few enjoyable features, including a small L-shaped pool better suited for dipping than for swimming laps. There's also a sauna. The free breakfast buffet is generally underwhelming, though it does include hot and cold items. Wi-Fi, while free, also gets mixed reviews, as it can be less than reliable. The basement-level restaurant, while dark, exudes some style -- resembling an oversized classic tavern -- with iron chandeliers and wood support beams criss-crossing the ceiling.