Central Park Hotel

Value rates and a location close to Hyde Park and two tube stations keep this hotel hopping with tourists, including tour groups. The hotel’s entrance resembles the lobby of an office building. It’s more of a place to register and move on, with few places to sit in the immediate reception area that's decorated with white and brown marble tile floors. A brown marble and wood reception desk are provided, and there's a similar concierge desk next to it. The adjacent bar area is more inviting, with nice hardwood floors and a wooden bar counter. Several small oval tables with black leather and stainless steel stools surround the bar. Floor-to-ceiling windows look out upon the street, and there are clusters of leather armchairs and a flat-screen TV on the wall. The cafeteria-like breakfast area gets especially crowded at peak times, so guests sometimes dine communally with strangers at long tables. 

The Central Park is located in Bayswater Village, just a two-minute walk to lovely and historical Hyde Park. Two tube stations also are a brief walk away: Queensway Station (Central Line, a four-minute walk) and Bayswater Station (Circle and District Lines, a seven-minute walk). The neighborhood is between Paddington and fashionable Notting Hill and has numerous restaurants, shops, and residential complexes. Kensington Palace is a nine-minute walk through Hyde Park. Public transit makes travel times approximately 20 to 25 minutes to top attractions including Royal Albert Hall, British Museum, Natural History Museum, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace. The Tower of London is about 35 minutes away. Travel times to the airports are approximately 32 minutes (via the Heathrow Express train at Paddington Station) and one hour (via the Gatwick Express train at Victoria Station). Like most hotels in central London, this one doesn't provide parking. 

The refurbished rooms -- most were completed during our visit and all are scheduled for completion by mid-2016 -- are clean and bright, but small and so sparsely decorated that they resemble a college dormitory. Options are Single, Double, and Triple with three twin beds. Walls are painted white and don't have any artwork on them. Bedding is bright white as well. Carpet is a solid bright blue and drapes are a bit darker blue. Light, matching wood furniture of budget quality includes headboards with attached nightstands, small closets recessed into walls, and desk/mirror combos with matching wood chairs. Sitting/luggage storage areas set below windows are framed by the same wood, as are the doors. 

The bathrooms are nicer than the rooms, but still small. They have bright white wall tiles and ceramic vanities and gray floor tiles. The walk-in showers have clear glass doors and rainfall showerheads. Guests report room-to-room noise is easily heard, as well as occasional minor housekeeping and maintenance issues. Standard amenities include mini-fridges, coffeemakers, flat-screen TVs, and electronic safes. Wi-Fi is available, but it costs extra. Views are mostly of the surrounding residential or commercial buildings. 

Amenities are somewhat limited at the Central Park, and most guests spend the day exploring London, but a free continental breakfast is included in room rates and can be upgraded to a full English breakfast for a modest fee. The bar also serves light fare throughout the day and into the late evening, along with room service. Gluten-free and vegetarian menus are available. Free Wi-Fi is accessible in the lobby. There's space for up to 50 people for a seated meeting or 150 people for a reception or similar event. Concierge and valet laundry/dry cleaning services are offered.