Crowne Plaza London

The staff is friendly and very helpful. The hotel was clean, safe and classy. The bed was very comfortable. The bathroom is a bit small but has good water pressure and the deep bath tub was great for a bath for a chubby person like me. The only drawback for this hotel is the Blackfriar Tube station which is right outside of the hotel door is closed for improvements till 2011. The closest tube station is about 6 minutes walk from the hotel. The walk is great during daylight hours but can be a little bit nerve wrecking for a single lady travelling alone at night as it is pretty deserted area at night. The business center is down in the basement and you need to have a staff let you in if there is no one there and the equipment is not most up to date but will do the job with a little patience required.

On our first trip to London we stayed in a room that was so small I think we could have touched the walls on the opposite sides of the room if we'd held our arms out. So this time, we were pleased with the size of the room. It wasn't huge, but it was certainly large enough for the two of us to move around. I've never stayed in a hotel with a bathroom that met my standard of cleanliness, so with that said - it wasn't too bad. The hallway outside our room smelled of mildew which surprised me since they don't have a pool. The staff was helpful and friendly. The minibar has snacks and drinks which you are automatically charged for as soon as you pick them up - however, there is coffee, tea and biscuits which are replenished daily that are available for free. It was nice to return to the hotel after a day of site seeing and have a hot cup of tea. The location was perfect. The tube station is just outside the hotel entrance. We paid 23 pounds for 7 day Oyster cards which cut our transportation costs and made it easier to get around. If you prefer to walk, there are many attractions within walking distance. We wouldn't hesitate to stay here again.

Type:Dining Distance: Short walk from hotel

Tea

Tea at Paternoster Square, across from St. Paul's Cathedral, is great place to get a cup of tea and scones with clotted cream.

This is a great hotel close to St Paul's Cathedral and other major sights in The City. Blackfriars tube is literally seconds away. Rooms are bigger than one typically finds in London - clean, bright, and airy. Staff is extremely helpful and attentive. Highly recommended for either business or leisure trips.

Type:Dining Distance: Short walk from hotel

Good Pub Food at Blackfriars

Spare yourself the expensive eating options in the hotel itself, and dine instead at the Blackfriars pub directly across the street from the hotel. Good traditional pub food with a variety of guest ales on tap.

Type:Area Attractions Distance: Requires transportation

Check Out Islington

Get off the beaten track for a while and visit Islington one of London's trendiest (and least touristy) neighborhoods. Just a short bus or tube ride from the hotel, Islington is a neighborhood of pavement cafes, trendy restaurants, and great pubs. Tube: Angel (on the Northern Line).

The location was fabulous - so easy to get to and from the airport on the ThamesLink train - the station was across the street from the hotel. The staff were super friendly and helpful. We arrived very early - too early for our room, but they let us shower and change in the gym and leave our bags while we explored. The staff also provided tons of helpful sightseeing and dining tips. The breakfast was really good, but seemed very expensive, so I advise others to skip it."