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London/Bloomsbury: The Ridgemount or The Arosfa?

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London/Bloomsbury: The Ridgemount or The Arosfa?

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Old Nov 20th, 2012, 10:28 AM
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London/Bloomsbury: The Ridgemount or The Arosfa?

Both have great reviews, but am looking to see if anyone here can also vouch for either of them or share your experiences.

Definitely budget, but we spent so much on our lavish apartments in Paris and Amsterdam for this trip (and we're only in London 3 nights this time), so we figured a budget hotel would be fine.

I love this area - They are on the same street in Bloomsbury (Gower, not too far from Russell Square and Bedford square.. Also, he Russell Square station has the Piccadilly line, so we can get to and from Heathrow without much fuss. Both places also offer a full English breakfast for all guests that is included in the price.

I"m sure a triple (1 queen and 2 twins) or a double (2 double beds) will be a tight squeeze for two adults and two teens, but we'll be out most of the day and evening, so no big deal. We really just want a place to sleep and shower.

Also it's over Easter holiday, and I have noticed that most hotels and apartments raise the rate. Neither of these places do.

The Ridgemount triple ensuite room is £123 per night (includes tax and breakfast for each guest)

The Arosfa offered a "family room" with two double beds and en suite bathroom.
Their rate for the room is £157 per night (also includes tax and breakfast for each guest)

The fact that The Ridgemount is a total of £102 (over $160) less is quite a difference, and we are wondering if it's worth saving the $ and staying there.

***Ridgemount:

http://www.ridgemounthotel.co.uk/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html

***Arosfa:

http://www.arosfalondon.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...n_England.html
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Old Nov 20th, 2012, 10:57 AM
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"<i>The Ridgemount triple ensuite room is £123 per night . . . </i>"

A triple will not sleep 4 - unless they specifically they'll add a rollaway. and I'm sure that would cost extra ££

"<i>I"m sure a triple (1 queen and 2 twins) or a double (2 double beds) . . . </i>"

A queen and 2 twins is not a 'triple' - it would be called a quad or possibly a 'family room'.

And 2 double beds is not a 'double' - it again would be called a quad or a 'family room'.

So it mostly depends on whether those descriptions are yours or the hotels'. There seems to be a bit of confusion.
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Old Nov 20th, 2012, 11:03 AM
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janisj,

Maybe OP did not state the description correctly calling them by their "proper" names. OP did, however state how many beds in each room at each hotel. What's the problem?
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Old Nov 20th, 2012, 11:12 AM
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Looking again, perhaps the hotel gave the wrong description, or OP did??
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Old Nov 20th, 2012, 11:22 AM
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"<i>What's the problem?</i>"

"<i>Looking again, perhaps the hotel gave the wrong description, or OP did??</i>"

Looks like you answered your own question . . . .
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Old Nov 20th, 2012, 11:39 AM
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Ok, I see what happened. My fault.

Since the Ridgemount responded to my request and said they had a triple available for 2 adults and 2 teens, I wrongly assumed that a triple would be a double bed (for us) and 2 single beds (for them). Upon double checking their site, I see janis was right, it's 3 single beds, or 1 double bed and 1 single bed.

WHY would they think that would be ok for 4 of us?

Also, the price on the website site says the rate does not go up to £123 per night until 01 April. We will be there the nights of 30 March and 31 March as well, and the rates say those nights would be £120. However, in the hotel's response, to my initial inquiry, they said they are charging the £123 all three nights.

Maybe these are minor quibbles, but it makes me wonder..

The Arosfa did say "a family room with two double beds with an en suite bathroom." - so that's not a double. My fault again.
Sorry for the confusion.
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Old Nov 20th, 2012, 03:20 PM
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I may as well start this thread over since I have apparently messed it all up from the beginning. It's doubtful anyone knows what I am asking now
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Old Nov 21st, 2012, 06:09 PM
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This place has gone to crap.
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Old Nov 21st, 2012, 07:53 PM
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A lot of accommodations on gower street are in really old buildings with small rooms, even smaller bathrooms. In addition Gower street is a main bus route, as well as other vehicles and unless you have a room facing the back the street traffic is very noisy.

Given the descriptions on trip advisor, you should look for other hotels. Four people sharing a room and one bathroom is a lot. and remember you will also have four suitcases. if these are the only two you are interested i would not select the Ridgemount.. does not sound very nice.

London attractions will be crowded over Easter holidays.. all of the schools and universities are on holiday then.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2012, 01:22 PM
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<<Given the descriptions on trip advisor,>>

Funny, The Arosfa has great reviews.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2012, 07:28 PM
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The Arosfa is a long established/well run budget B&B hotel. Operative word being <u>budget</u>. They have almost a cult following since it are such a good budget option. But it is not at all posh or even 'comfy'. It is a well known property and books up pretty much year round.
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Old Nov 22nd, 2012, 07:36 PM
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Well, since OP said:

<< <i>"Definitely budget, but we spent so much on our lavish apartments in Paris and Amsterdam for this trip (and we're only in London 3 nights this time), so we figured a budget hotel would be fine." </i> >>

<b>and</b>

<< <i> "..will be a tight squeeze for two adults and two teens, but we'll be out most of the day and evening, so no big deal. We really just want a place to sleep and shower." </i> >>>

I'm not sure what Max and Janis are carrying on about. OP never said anything about wanting posh or comfy.
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Old Nov 23rd, 2012, 11:10 AM
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What the HECK are you on about? I never once said anything (at all) about NOT staying at the Arosfa.

I explained EXACTLY why the Asfora is so popular and that it books up ahead because of that. For a brand new member you sure do look for things to whinge about.

Perhaps if you actually <i>read</i> what folks post instead of looking for things to attack . . .
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Old Nov 23rd, 2012, 05:07 PM
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If you look on tripadvisor, you can find a photo posted by others who stayed there
there is photo of a family room the beds are all in a row and very close together, and they look like very narrow beds.

there are also photos posted for the bathroom...the words tiny closet comes to mind

you can decide whether you and your family would be comfortable.

one or two people in a small room is not the same as four people. and you need room to put your luggage. it all has to fit somewhere.
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