St Giles London

In a part of central London mostly characterized by elegant Georgian town houses and ornate Victorian facades, the geometrical chunk of aged concrete that houses the St. Giles London sticks out like the proverbial sore thumb. While some celebrate such examples of Brutalist architecture as clever and progressive pieces of design (its sawtooth projections allow for plenty of natural daylight and views from each room), to others it's ugly and passé. Unfortunately, its interiors do little to redeem the architecture -- they're a dated mishmash of classical touches, including marble, chandeliers, and brass railings, with cheap-looking modern furnishings. Elevators are smudged, and hallways are characterless and drab, while the tacky 24-hour adjoining casino does little to raise the tone. The on-site restaurants, however, have clearly been on the receiving end of modernization, and they introduce a pleasant counterpoint to rest of the hotel.

The hotel is set on the edge of central London's leafy Bloomsbury neighborhood, a block from the ever-busy Centre Point junction where Oxford Street meets Charing Cross Road. It's an excellent location for tourists, with such attractions as the British Museum a five-minute walk away, and numerous restaurants, pubs, and shops nearby. The renowned nightlife district of Soho is also within a five-minute walk of the hotel, while West End theaters are slightly farther. Tottenham Court Road Tube station is about a two-minute walk, with direct connections throughout London.

The St. Giles London has a whopping 670 rooms, all of which are simply decorated with uninspiring interiors, though they're generally clean and well-maintained. Typical for central London, rooms can be small, though most upgraded rooms include separate work or sitting spaces. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and bathrooms with showers and soap dispensers. Upgraded rooms add mini-fridges and air-conditioning (and are more like to offer impressive city views). Wi-Fi is available but comes with a hefty daily fee.

A breakfast buffet with full English options is served in a mezzanine-level dining room, though it's generally not included in the room rate. There are also a few good restaurants on-site, including an Italian-Asian fusion restaurant, a late-night 1930s-style restaurant and lounge, and a 24-hour cafe and diner. While the hotel has no fitness center, guests get a discount at the the nearby YMCA health club, which has extensive facilities. An adjoining casino is open around the clock.