Hotel Russell
, London, United Kingdom
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Hotel Russell
, London
Rooms: 383
Russell Square
- London - England - WC1B 5BE - United Kingdom
Hotel Website |
| 44 02078376470
1247
Traveller
Reviews - Hotel Russell
Good hotel
Submitted by: tom in 20/03/11 - Age Group: 60plus
- From: United States
- Traveller type: Mature Couple
good hotel, small rooms, excellent breakfast; pleasant staff; front desk staff did not give required wake-up call; avoid airport car service operated by abbey cars.
Two thumbs up
Submitted by: Shenae in 19/10/10 - Age Group: 1825
- From: Australia
- Traveller type: Budget Traveller
I am shocked by the bad reviews on this hotel. My partner and I stayed here for one night whilst traveling Europe. We both absolutely loved it. Great staff, service, rooms, food, the lot. We were even given the luxury of a tour of the room before booking, and receiving that exact room upon check-in. I then sent luggage home to australia but for some reason it was returned to sender (which i listed as hotel russell). They went through the trouble of tracking me down, and helping send my package home to me. Definitely a big 2 thumbs up and recommend it to everyone!
Nice plush suite
Submitted by: Diane in 06/04/08 - Age Group: 60 +
- From: United Kingdom
- Traveller type: Mature Couple
Visited London for a theatre trip and stayed one night. We were upgraded to a plush three roomed suite and a 4 poster bed (at no extra charge). The room was right on the square but not too noisy. Breakfast was fine (buffet style) and a bit of a queue as it was Saturday. We did not use the bars and had a meal out. I thought it was nice being told we could have the room to 12 midday the next day and leave any luggage with the concierge if we wished. Altogether a very comfortable stay.
A nice hotel
Submitted by: Wayne in 07/12/07 - Age Group: 51 - 60
- From: United States
- Traveller type: Mature Couple
This is an old hotel recently refurbished. The location is excellent, close to everything at the heart of the city.
The staff are friendly and well-trained.
The rooms are small, as is usual with 100-year hotels, but clean and well-organised.
I would definitely recommend this hotel as reasonably placed ($250 a night) for a London hotel.
The staff are friendly and well-trained.
The rooms are small, as is usual with 100-year hotels, but clean and well-organised.
I would definitely recommend this hotel as reasonably placed ($250 a night) for a London hotel.
Excellent Amenities
Submitted by: Eric in 19/07/07 - Age Group: 31 - 40
- From: United States
- Traveller type: Young & Single
Loved the hotel. Very classic exterior. Interior well designed. Rooms are a bit small, but the luxuries available are very nice. The bathrooms are impressive by any standard. The shower heads are Hansgrohe Axor series, which if anyone has used will know are expensive but great shower heads. I would love to find out who makes the pillows provided. They are very comfortable! The concierge staff are quite unhelpful, with exception to one younger gentleman.
Nice common areas, mediocre rooms
Submitted by: Stephen in 29/06/07 - Age Group: 26 - 30
- From: United Kingdom
- Traveller type: Young Couple
Having passed the Russell on previous London visits I was looking forward to staying there. The facade is very good old Victorian and the entrance is all marble and the bar and resaurant have a lot of character. Unfortunately the room was not that impressive.
The bed and bathroom were nice but things like damaged furniture, mould on the net curtains, a spider on the pillow and no hot water on the final morning were a let down. The hotel and room generally were ok, fairly standard 4* stuff, but I have been to many better hotels with a much lower rack rate.
The bed and bathroom were nice but things like damaged furniture, mould on the net curtains, a spider on the pillow and no hot water on the final morning were a let down. The hotel and room generally were ok, fairly standard 4* stuff, but I have been to many better hotels with a much lower rack rate.
Read 1241 additional reviews of Hotel Russell at TripAdvisor.
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Historical Traveller Reviews of Hotel Russell
Loved the Russell
from A TripAdvisor Member
We had a standard twin room there last March and will return again in April 2004. Our room was spacious, had a bay window with great big arm chairs and good reading light! This was an older room overlooking Russell Square Park. WE got a great deal on the room, BTW. Great mattresses, wonderful marble bathroom, a nice table for in-room tea service.
The staff was superb. The three fellows at the concierge desk could not do enough for us. As my companion travels in a wheel chair, there was a lot of help needed and we felt that our every need was anticipated.
Fire alarm went off once (false alarm) and two hefty fellows appeared almost instantly at our door, prepared to carry my companion down a flight of stairs to safety, if need be. BTW, that entire area of London has a recent history of false fire alarms, not just the Russell.
The bar is superb as is the bar staff. Very good breakfast selection, also. Only complaint is that the breakfast room seemed to have a very high proportion of trainees who were not yet up to the standards of the other staff.
We recommend it highly!
The staff was superb. The three fellows at the concierge desk could not do enough for us. As my companion travels in a wheel chair, there was a lot of help needed and we felt that our every need was anticipated.
Fire alarm went off once (false alarm) and two hefty fellows appeared almost instantly at our door, prepared to carry my companion down a flight of stairs to safety, if need be. BTW, that entire area of London has a recent history of false fire alarms, not just the Russell.
The bar is superb as is the bar staff. Very good breakfast selection, also. Only complaint is that the breakfast room seemed to have a very high proportion of trainees who were not yet up to the standards of the other staff.
We recommend it highly!
Not a 4*, but a great location!
from A TripAdvisor Member
I just arrived back from London and stayed at the Le Meridien for 4 nights. I got a great deal on the hotel through Priceline ($415 total, including taxes). They claim to be a 4* hotel, but I'd give it a 3.5* at best. I think we were put on an unrenovated floor because of our cheap rate, but the room was just fine. It had a queen sized bed, TV, ironing board and that's about it. The bathroom was beautiful--it must have been redone. This hotel offers a great location and a nice night's sleep. I was unconcerned with the hotel on this stay, since I was going for pleasure and knew I'd spend little extra time in my room.
Not as bad as expected
from A TripAdvisor Member
After reading the reviews I was expecting the worse for our 6 day stay.
upon arriving and telling them it was our honeymoon(actualy it was last year) we were given a standard room, with a new bathroom. There was some wear and tear in the room, such as the lamp shades had water stains, peeling paint and wallpaper and a below average bed. The bathroom was incredible, brand new shower, toliet and heated towel bar.
Compared to other hotels in London this deserves three stars.
I heard and saw other guests complaining about their budget rooms, so try to get a standard room at all cost.
upon arriving and telling them it was our honeymoon(actualy it was last year) we were given a standard room, with a new bathroom. There was some wear and tear in the room, such as the lamp shades had water stains, peeling paint and wallpaper and a below average bed. The bathroom was incredible, brand new shower, toliet and heated towel bar.
Compared to other hotels in London this deserves three stars.
I heard and saw other guests complaining about their budget rooms, so try to get a standard room at all cost.
very bad experience
from benny123
The economy room was so dirty, and the furniture was broken. The bathtub was rusted, the toilet was 50 years old, with yellow stains on it. The shower curtain was dirty. After complaining to the manager, we had an upgrade. The bathroom was nicer, but the heat did not work.
Finally, after complaining to the manager, and wasting 2 hours, we were moved to another room, only to find out later that there was no hot water in the bathroom. The staff suggested I should wait until later in the afternoon to take a shower! We were glad we transferred to another hotel in the same neighborhood (grange holborn, a lot nicer).
Finally, after complaining to the manager, and wasting 2 hours, we were moved to another room, only to find out later that there was no hot water in the bathroom. The staff suggested I should wait until later in the afternoon to take a shower! We were glad we transferred to another hotel in the same neighborhood (grange holborn, a lot nicer).
Economy was Too Cheap
from A TripAdvisor Member
I had the WORST experience at this hotel. I stayed in an economy room.
When I arrived, after being awake for 31 hours, there were maintenance supplies in my bathroom. I called to the front desk to inquire about the supplies, they needed to investigate and call me back. They called back and said they would send someone would be up to finish what the job that the supplies were in the washroom for, apparently my room had no hot water. The maintenance boy came and started working on the hot water problem, and his manager or something kept coming and going from the room, everytime knocking and making me let him in. Finally after about an hour the first fellow told me that they couldn't fix the problem and he will tell the front desk I should be moved to another room. This was about 12:30 in the afternoon. The front desk called up and told me another room would not be available until 1:30 at the earliest,and maybe I should go out for a while, and when I returned the new room would be ready. I said no, I have been awake for 32 hours, and I needed to sleep somewhere. She rudely replied, ma'am our check-in time is 2:00, I will not have anything available until then. Shouldn't they have upgraded me or something for my trouble? To top it all off, I heard the manager maintenance guy in the hall talking about how the person in the room (me) wouldn't leave while they were fixing the bathroom. I mean, SERIOUSLY, where was I supposed to go, I couldn't keep my eyes open. At 2:00 I called down for my new room, and the front desk said, sorry we are very busy down here I will have to call you back. What?!?!!?!?! They FINALLY moved me to my new room about 15 minutes later, and the window was so badly designed I froze to death.
Don't ever stay ecomony here. Location good, service and room BAD!!
When I arrived, after being awake for 31 hours, there were maintenance supplies in my bathroom. I called to the front desk to inquire about the supplies, they needed to investigate and call me back. They called back and said they would send someone would be up to finish what the job that the supplies were in the washroom for, apparently my room had no hot water. The maintenance boy came and started working on the hot water problem, and his manager or something kept coming and going from the room, everytime knocking and making me let him in. Finally after about an hour the first fellow told me that they couldn't fix the problem and he will tell the front desk I should be moved to another room. This was about 12:30 in the afternoon. The front desk called up and told me another room would not be available until 1:30 at the earliest,and maybe I should go out for a while, and when I returned the new room would be ready. I said no, I have been awake for 32 hours, and I needed to sleep somewhere. She rudely replied, ma'am our check-in time is 2:00, I will not have anything available until then. Shouldn't they have upgraded me or something for my trouble? To top it all off, I heard the manager maintenance guy in the hall talking about how the person in the room (me) wouldn't leave while they were fixing the bathroom. I mean, SERIOUSLY, where was I supposed to go, I couldn't keep my eyes open. At 2:00 I called down for my new room, and the front desk said, sorry we are very busy down here I will have to call you back. What?!?!!?!?! They FINALLY moved me to my new room about 15 minutes later, and the window was so badly designed I froze to death.
Don't ever stay ecomony here. Location good, service and room BAD!!
I thoroughly enjoyed the Russell
from A TripAdvisor Member
After reading all the negative reviews, I chose the Russell because of price and location. My five-night stay was unexpectedly delightful. I had a standard room on the eighth floor (the lift only goes to seven), one of only four rooms up there. It was clean, quiet, well made up, and reasonably sized by London standards. The Russell's hundred-year-old architecture is very interesting, and the clubby old bar a real jewel.
The hotel is a bit off the beaten path, but the nearby tube and bus lines turn that into an asset, and the adjacent Russell Square is charming. Moreover, the hotel staff were excellent -- professional, friendly, and helpful. So, my advice is to try the Russell and work with them to get a room that suits. Or, book the Dorchester at $500 a night.
The hotel is a bit off the beaten path, but the nearby tube and bus lines turn that into an asset, and the adjacent Russell Square is charming. Moreover, the hotel staff were excellent -- professional, friendly, and helpful. So, my advice is to try the Russell and work with them to get a room that suits. Or, book the Dorchester at $500 a night.
If You Like Dirty Furnishings, Stay Here
from A TripAdvisor Member
Don't be fooled by the value of the 4-star tag on this hotel - it did not live up to my expectation of the type of hospitality the Meridien chain ought to offer, even for an Economy/Budget room, and I would never stay here again. Though I was initially enchanted by the accommodation(large charming room, nice wallpaper, modern telephone, remote controlled TV, loveseat, hairdryer, clean bathroom, great water pressure, killer view of Russell Square), my impression soon soured upon scrutiny. The couch seats and the fabric-covered headboard were both stained brown from overuse, and the armoire door was hanging on for dear life from one hinge. To my horror, I discovered that both bath towels had brown-streaked stains and the bedspread had "other" stains that probably had been left by a previous guest, I kid you not. The iron/ironing board I borrowed from the front desk was ready to fall apart, the automated telephone buttons for "concierge" and "front desk" connected nowhere, and the room offered no hotel directory.
On the upside, most of the staff was friendly and helpful, the front staircase was gorgeous, the location superb, and dirt cheap at under $100/night. But if I knew that Economy/Budget meant "Dirty Furnishings," I would have paid more to upgrade or stayed somewhere else. It's too bad - this hotel in its beauty, history and charm has so much potential to be a historical luxury landmark like the Paramount NY or Argyle LA. Sad to say, I have stayed at Motel 6's classier than this.
On the upside, most of the staff was friendly and helpful, the front staircase was gorgeous, the location superb, and dirt cheap at under $100/night. But if I knew that Economy/Budget meant "Dirty Furnishings," I would have paid more to upgrade or stayed somewhere else. It's too bad - this hotel in its beauty, history and charm has so much potential to be a historical luxury landmark like the Paramount NY or Argyle LA. Sad to say, I have stayed at Motel 6's classier than this.
s with the fire alarms?
from A TripAdvisor Member
I stayed in one of the cheap rooms for 2 weeks (c'mon, I'm a teenager, I have no money for artdeco rooms...) and it kinda sucked. The location's great, its right by the tube station, Renoir Cinema, laundromat, and even the grocery store(and Russell Square park's lovely).
The room however, ugh...the TV had horrible reception and few channels (you'd expect better from le meridien, ya know?), the bathroom ceilings were gross looking, the shower took forever to drain...the windows didn't open all the way and the view was terrible (granted it was a cheapo room, but i didn't expect to look out and see scaffolding and into some man's room...).
And the fire alarms, my god, I had to experience TWO of them! Both quite early in the morning, and lo and behold, there was never a fire.
The only good thing, and I've noticed many others said this too, was the concierge, especially one named Bernard, nicest man ever, knew everything, so friendly. He needs to get a job with a better hotel I think, he deserves it...
So if you don't mind getting woken up at 6 in the morning by a fire alarm and having to trod down the stairs and out into the street, and you can afford a nicer room, stay at Le Meridien Russell...
The room however, ugh...the TV had horrible reception and few channels (you'd expect better from le meridien, ya know?), the bathroom ceilings were gross looking, the shower took forever to drain...the windows didn't open all the way and the view was terrible (granted it was a cheapo room, but i didn't expect to look out and see scaffolding and into some man's room...).
And the fire alarms, my god, I had to experience TWO of them! Both quite early in the morning, and lo and behold, there was never a fire.
The only good thing, and I've noticed many others said this too, was the concierge, especially one named Bernard, nicest man ever, knew everything, so friendly. He needs to get a job with a better hotel I think, he deserves it...
So if you don't mind getting woken up at 6 in the morning by a fire alarm and having to trod down the stairs and out into the street, and you can afford a nicer room, stay at Le Meridien Russell...
A tale of two rooms
from A TripAdvisor Member
I've stayed at the Russell twice so my mark is in-between the two experiences. My stay in one of the renovated rooms would have earned 5 stars being clean, well decorated and equipped. However, my stay in the non-renovated room would only merit a 1 or 2 as the room was small, shabby and worn (and the fire alarm kept going off).The architecture of this grand old building is particularly attractive. The hall is stunning in marble and is sh with decorative features (great ceiling).
The area is pretty good and it's within a few steps of the underground (Piccadilly line which is handy for Heathrow). So if you do stay here, make sure it's not one of the older rooms as you can do much better for the money.
The area is pretty good and it's within a few steps of the underground (Piccadilly line which is handy for Heathrow). So if you do stay here, make sure it's not one of the older rooms as you can do much better for the money.
Good value for London.
from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed here for one week beginning May 23, 2003. There seems to be 2 types of rooms: the economy rooms and the more expensive without breakfast refurbished rooms. We booked an economy room through hotels for about $100/nt which is an inexpensive rate for London. The first room we were given was very small and far from the elevator. We requested another room and we were given a much larger room on the busy street side. It was noisy, but much better than the first room. The hotel location was good, only a block from the Russell Sq tube and it was also on several bus lines. Many restaurants and convenience stores close by. All in all a good value for London.
Top Local Tips for London
so much to see Careful daily planning of what to see and how to get there is important. Long walks, often crowded venues make excursions take longer than expected. Inexpensive food is relatively easy to find in take out shops like Pret a Manger or little stands but finding a place to eat outside can be a challenge. The British Museum and the Victoria and Albert can take days of time. The London Eye is magnificant. Kids love the Tower of London. Seeing Parliament in action is exciting as well as beautiful. Half price tickets can be had for theatres but take time to obtain. What an exciting place to be.
look into getting an oyster card... every one seems to have one... you preload it with money for journeys and then you pay less each journey.. i think it is half price on the busses but not complrtly sure. it would be worth looking into though if you were ther for more than a few days
Great dining tip visit the website toptable.co.uk - it has great ratings for restaurants in London and offers GREAT bargains. We ate at the Waldorf Hilton and booked it through the site. We were offered three courses and a Bellini for 25 pounds per person. The food was excellent, and the courses we had to choose from were steaks, salmon, etc. The Bellinis were the best I've ever had, and I recommend the cheese course for dessert. Our total bil for two with wine was only 69 pounds. I would usually have expected to pay twice that.
- (hotels)
Other names for Hotel Russell
- russell hotel london
- russell hotel
- hotel london russell
- Address: Russell Square - London - England - WC1B 5BE - United Kingdom
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