Attentive service from a family that has owned the hotel for nearly 40 years
On a quiet block, just a stone's throw from King's Cross Station
Clean rooms with coffee/tea facilities
Free Wi-Fi
Free home-cooked or continental breakfast that includes fresh lean bacon
A short walk to the British Library, and under 20 minutes to the British Museum
Basement rooms are quite small
Certain areas of the hotel are not serviced by a lift
Some rooms have shared bathrooms
For central, budget accommodation in central London, it's hard to go wrong with the Alhambra. Though surrounded by plenty of hotels with a similar price and pearl rating, the attentive, family-style service the Alhambra offers puts it a cut above the rest. Rooms are small and a bit basic, but clean, and the street is surprisingly quiet, despite its proximity to King's Cross Station. Guests who can get by on a good night's sleep and a free hearty home-cooked breakfast in the morning should be pleased. It may be worth comparing rates with the comparable Jesmond Dene Hotel.
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Scene
Victorian elegance with modern design and comfort
Located on a quiet side street just off King’s Cross, The Alhambra Hotel was built in the 1840s and is one of the last landmarks of the Pre-Victorian Period. It has great curb appeal; the well-maintained elegant white facade is nicely accented with plants, and might give the impression that the Alhambra is nicer than a budget hotel. Once inside, a very basic but modern lobby is usually where at least one smiling member of the family-run hotel staff is waiting to check guests in. The area is very open, with a small computer nook housing a desktop that guests are welcome to use. Plenty of brochures, maps, and other assorted tourist information is neatly arranged throughout the lobby.
Location
A slice of old London in the midst of a major transportation hub
Though the historical landmarks that surround this hotel certainly add to its charm, its biggest draw is definitely its central and well-serviced location. It's a three-minute walk from King's Cross station, a 10-minute walk from Euston Station, and under 20 minutes by foot from Chapel Market and The British Museum. Covent Garden and the London Zoo can both easily be reached via public transportation, Heathrow is under an hour via the Picadilly Line, and the St. Pancras International Terminal, with Eurostar service to France and Belgium, is just around the corner. This quiet neighborhood is spotted with other small budget hotels, a few commercial entertainment venues, and a reasonable array of dining options.
Rooms
Clean, quiet, and small
The Alhambra's 55 rooms are done up in a crisp navy blue, white, and cream color scheme that makes them slightly reminiscent of cruise ship cabins, and they're only a bit more spacious. They are spotlessly clean, with flat-screen wall-mounted TVs, unusually fluffy pillows, and generously bright reading lights on the headboards of the beds. The wall-to-wall carpeting looks a bit dated, but the light wood furniture is modern. Most rooms have a small vanity table with a large framed mirror hanging over it, which operates as both a desk and bathroom counter (the hairdryer is located here). Simple, but modern and tasteful, artwork hangs on the walls. Amenities include coffee/tea facilities and free Wi-Fi. The Basic Single and Double Rooms have shared bathrooms, but the rest of the categories have private bathrooms (note that the toiletry offering is a bit limited). Some rooms look out onto a very pleasant Victorian street. It's a passing road and doesn't get too noisy, but rooms on the back side of the building may be a bit quieter.
Features
Few offerings aside from the wonderful free breakfast
This hotel has been run by the same family for almost 40 years, and it shows. The father-in-law of the current owners cooks up a free hearty breakfast for guests, enhancing the hotel’s friendly and cozy overall feel. Compared to the other budget hotels in the area, the owners of this one are much more hands-on, and some actually work behind the front desk. Pure vegetable soap is provided in the bathrooms, and fresh lean bacon is delivered to the hotel every Monday and served at breakfast.
