Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Paddingto area hotel

Ed, We just returned from 3 weeks in UK (our first trip also) and stayed in London for the first week. We think we "lucked out" when we chose the Rhodes Hotel(from the Net). It is only 2 blocks from Paddington( rail and tube stations) and near the Lancaster Gate Tube. The couple who run it try very hard to provide a clean place and are helpful with info about London. Our room was tiny, but clean and adequate. We had a small refrig, double bed, en suite bath and shower and had the only room with a tiny terrace outside. I think our room was 220. Anyhow, it was the only one on the "first floor"(one flight up from "ground floor"). The address, etc are as follows: Rhodes Hotel; 195 Sussex Gardens, Hyde Park, London W2 2RJ, Tel 0171 262 0537 E-mail [email protected] Their website is http://www.rhodeshotel.co.uk We booked several months ahead via e-mail and using Mastercard info and he gave us a rate of 70pounds per night since we were staying a week. We were prepared for tiny room and bath, but it provided all our necessities without any luxuries! Their breakfast was nutritious:cereal, coffee/tea, toast, orange juice, croissants with cold sliced ham and cheese each morning. The location was great: near Paddington Rail and Tube stations and also Lancaster Gate Tube and a couple blocks from Hyde Park. There were several restaurants that were good nearby( on Spring and London Sts. on way to Paddington/Praed St) and a laundromat, post office and a place to catch the Big Bus Tour for city tours. Don't expect a hotel room as our motels offer, but we found it adequate and enjoyable. They also had a hairdryer and hot pot with tea and coffee fixings. Tell Pablo(the breakfast server ) and Chris, the Greek proprietor and Maria, the proprietoress (she is Korean, by the way.... the desk clerk was a lovely young Frenchman...can't remember his name, but so cordial and helpful) a real UN of a staff!) that the Jacksons from NC recommended the Rhodes!!! They also have an annex that is about 10 pounds a day cheaper around the corner (Argos House), but we liked having the desk and close proximity to the breakfast room ( in basement). Also, our room had a phone and a TV with CNN Int'l. We also checked out the Royal Lancaster Hotel just across from the Lancaster Tube Sta. and a block or so away toward the park from Sussex Gardens and for almost 3 times as much per day for a room, they had lovely big rooms overlooking Hyde Park with all amenities. Next time, when we win the lottery, we will stay there!! Someone on the Forums on Fodor's gave us some advice, so I am glad to return the favor. Good luck; just don't expect too much and if you stay at the Rhodes, hope you enjoy it. Would like to hear if you do , in fact, opt for that place. Jo Ann and Chuck ( two senior citizens from WNC) If you want to take "pot luck", there are dozens of B&B/Hotels on Sussex Gardens and in that area. You might chance looking several of them over and deciding after you get there. This time of year, you probably would not have any trouble. And, in the UK, that is standard procedure to look first at a potential room. W e liked knowing exactly where we were going and going directly after the long flight ( to Gatwick) and the train into Victoria and the tube to Paddington Tube Station. So, it was nice to go directly to the Hotel and not have to shop around. But, that would be a possibility and you might get something nicer at a better price since there are lots of choices in that area.