Lidos Hotel

The Lidos Hotel has been run by the same family since 1990, and underwent renovations in 2012. Expect no luxuries, but furnishings are contemporary, and there's an elevator (a bonus for older London hotels). The lobby's leather seating doesn't really cut it as a lounge, but the front desk is open 24/7 and run efficiently. Ribbon golds on a black wall are eye-catching amid dominating whites, and international wall-mounted clocks give a nod to guests coming from all corners of the globe. A pleasant breakfast room has two large photo murals of London attractions, and acts as the only other gathering space. Most guests are tourists spending their days sightseeing though, so a lack of features isn't much of a downside for them. 

Though on a quiet residential street, location is the hotel's biggest selling point. A 24-hour bus is just outside the property and runs to Leicester and Trafalgar Squares, Soho's bars and restaurants, hippie Camden, and history- and culture-packed Westminster. Pimlico tube station is a five-minute walk, and Victoria Station is about eight minutes. Victoria Coach Station is a few minutes farther. Many attractions can be reached on foot, though. Buckingham Palace is a 20-minute walk, as are Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and the London Eye. Tons of shops, pubs, and cafes are nearby. Heathrow and London City Airport are both 40 minutes by car or public transport. An express train from Gatwick Airport runs to the nearby Victoria Station in 40 minutes, or it's an hour's drive.

Rooms are a squeeze, even by London standards, with Singles starting at 86 square feet (eight square meters). Their design is contemporary, however, with pale-yellow walls accented by Brit-themed art in some, tidy wooden beds with silver-gray bedrunners and throw pillows, and brown carpet. Note, some rooms are in the basement, but these still get daylight. Twins, Doubles, and Triples get progressively slightly larger, and Quads come in at 194 square feet (18 square meters, though they still struggle with the limited space. None of the rooms can be fitted with cribs. Small desks have phones and ledges above them with tea- and coffee-making facilities. Tidy storage space is limited to hanging rails and exposed shelving, although there isn't much of it. Wall-mounted flat-screen TVs have 80+ "Freeview" channels, and portable fans combat the lack of AC. Rooms have full-length mirrors and hairdryers, but they don't have fridges or safes, and reception only stores paperwork. Bathrooms are tiny, but spotless. Their stall showers have attractive multi-tonal mosaic tiles and wall-dispensed soaps. Typical of older London properties, walls are thin and noise carries. Views of neighboring walls in some rooms are less pleasant than those overlooking gardens or the street. Wi-Fi is free.

Features are limited, but reasonable for the price. The free buffet breakfast offers fresh rolls and croissants with jams and marmalades, cold hams, and cheeses, plus cereal and yogurt. For those who don't mind the canned variety, fruit salad accompanies tea, coffee, and juice. Despite its basement setting, the small space is bright, but it gets busy. The 24-hour front desk can hold luggage after check-out. The hotel has no parking facilities, but a paid parking lot is within a five-minute walk. Wi-Fi is free throughout.