Danubius Hotel Regents Park

This 11-story 1960s building is an example of Brutalist architecture, so the exposed concrete and boxy red-brick facade can look gloomy and unwelcoming. The interior is a different story, though. Revolving glass doors lead into a large, bright lobby with a dramatic floral display in the center and a large, crystal chandelier above. The cream marble floor and reflective ceiling panels make for a glossy and glassy look, and there are plenty of brown leather sofas near the reception desk and beside a large front window, where guests can relax. The hallways are somewhat drab, with black patterned carpeting, dark brown and red leather chairs, and wood-paneled walls. Guests here are a mix of business travelers, tourists, and cricket fans.

The hotel is literally across the street from the beautiful Regent's Park, with its boating lake, open-air theater, and London Zoo. There are plenty of other top London attractions within a 15-minute walk, too, including Madame Tussauds, Sherlock Holmes museum, and the iconic Abbey Road Studios, where The Beatles famously recorded some of their biggest hits. Many guests are cricket fans here to visit the Lord's Cricket Ground, which is just across the street from the hotel. St John's Wood underground station is a 10-minute walk away, and from there the rest of London is easily accessible. Oxford Circus is around a 12-minute tube ride, and offers access to many central London attractions. There aren't many shops or restaurants in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, but there are some lovely restaurants in St John’s Wood, within a 10-minute walk. 

The guest rooms at the Danubius are bright, fairly spacious, air-conditioned, and soundproofed. Each has a safe, desk, mini-fridge, coffee/tea-maker, and flat-screen TV. Free newspapers and 24-hour room service are available, too. The room decor is nothing special; there's a brown and teal color scheme, with beige carpeting and dark wood furniture, and the odd painting to liven up the neutral walls. Bathrooms are fairly compact, although clean and fairly modern, with white and pale gray tiling, and shower/tub combos. Hairdryers are outside the bathrooms. Some rooms have great views over Regent's Park or the cricket ground.  

The hotel's restaurant, Minsky's, has a charming Hungarian theme, but serves a wide variety of European dishes. It's open for buffet breakfast, and a la carte lunch and dinner, and occasionally has the quirky addition of live Hungarian music in the evenings. Breakfast is not free, but offers good value, with a wide range of hot and cold foods. A good traditional afternoon tea is also served at the hotel, and they have a carvery at the weekends. The Pavilion Lounge Bar is classy, with wood floors and brown leather, and shows live sports on the big screen. There are 11 meeting rooms on-site, and a conference space for business guests. The fitness center is spacious and well-equipped with treadmills and exercise bikes. Parking is available, and while it doesn’t come cheap, it’s certainly more reasonable than public car parks in central London. Airport transfers can be arranged by the hotel, and there’s free Wi-Fi throughout the property.