Chelsea Guest House

The Chelsea Guest House is an excellent no-frills option for travelers seeking affordable yet comfortable accommodation. Far from Central London but with decent transport links, the hotel offers little more than its basic rooms and a front desk. The property consists of two buildings -- one more contemporary than the other -- and the layout can be a tad confusing. There's no proper lobby, just a 24-hour front desk next to a map of London and two chairs with Union Jack print. Still, it's well maintained and adequately priced for one of the world's most expensive cities. Its mix of business and tourist guests seem to appreciate the Chelsea Guest House's high standards at a budget price. 

On a busy main road surrounded mostly by residential Victorian houses and a McDonald's next door, the hotel's South London location isn't ideal for travelers looking to visit the city center. Although there is a bus stop outside with routes into Central London, reaching it by bus can make for a long journey. Wandsworth Road Overground station is a two-minute walk from the hotel and has direct links to London Bridge and the happening East End. The nearest tube station of Clapham North is a 14-minute walk and guarantees the fastest journey into town.For some more local outings, it's a 15-minute walk to newly fashionable Clapham High Street which is packed with trendy bars and restaurants. A few bars and cafes are within a 10-minute walk of the property as well. The hotel sits between two of London's large parks (Clapham Common and Battersea Park), but you'll still need public transport to reach them. Heathrow Airport is around 45 minutes by taxi and just over an hour by public transport, although this does require multiple changes including bus and rail.

Room are divided into Standard and Premium categories, ranging from Singles, Twins, and Doubles to Triples and Family. Decor varies between dated and old-fashioned in Standard Rooms and contemporary and attractive in Premium Rooms, though all are generally on the small side. Standard Rooms have faded red-print linens, dark carpeting, and lackluster wooden shelving; while they come with chairs, there are no proper desks. Some older Standard rooms also lack a mirror and a few don't have private bathrooms. Pricier Premium Rooms are a definite step up. Quirky mural-painted wall quotes or canvas prints of Banksy artwork are met with wood furniture, plastic chairs in red or turquoise, white and tan linens, and striped gray carpets. While all rooms come with flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi, Premium ones add Hypnos mattresses, tea- and coffee-making facilities, and hairdryers. En-suite bathrooms are also guaranteed, which are compact but modern with curved stall showers, tan tiling, and chrome finishings. In contrast, older bathrooms in Standard Rooms have uniform white tile, but similarly small showers. All come with daily replaced towels and basic toiletries. Guests should note that rooms near the McDonald's often suffer from drive-thru noise. Travelers with limited mobility should also be aware that there's no elevator.

There's nothing in the way of facilities at the Chelsea Guest House, not even a common lounge area. Though the hotel doesn't serve breakfast on-site, it does offer a voucher (£5 during our stay) for breakfast at the nearby Savoy Cafe. The few other amenities include free Wi-Fi, printing and copying services, and limited off-street parking fort a fee, if reserved in advance.