i was reading another posting about the strand palace and everyone said it was bad. i am leaving on thursday for paris and london and i am planning on staying there. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANYTHING GOOD TO SAY ABOUT THE STRAND, IS IT REALLY THAT BAD????????????????????

Yes.<BR><BR>Feel better now? Glad you asked?

i sense a nasty tone, but thank you for your reply

No, it's not that bad at all. Its location is terrific-walking distance to Covent Gardens, Theatreland, National Gallery, Trafalgar Square. My room faced an inner courtyard and it was so stuffy that with windows opened (had to, no a/c)I could hear other's television, talking, even yelling. It was very uncomfortable, so be sure to ask for a room that faces out (but bring earplugs for street noise, too!). You'll have a great trip...what a good combo- London and Paris!

Stayed there last summer -- room was smallish but had all the comforts you could ask for. Lobby is nice, breakfast was good, staff helpful, and the location is absolutely unbeatable.<BR><BR>Ask for a room with a/c if you're going in summer. You'll be fine!

If it's any help to you, I looked at web pictures of the Strand Palace and compared to the Royal National and the Tavistock where we stayed, the Strand Palace looks really nice. So although it's a very large hotel, it's not as bad as many other London hotels.

the Strand Palace is huge, and famous - but not for being nice, comfortable or charming. Actually I can think of no good reason to CHOOSE the S. Palace. If every other place you like is booked up then rooms are almost always available there. It is not terrible - but nothing to write home about.<BR><BR>It is "convenient" - but so are about 600 other London hotels. You can get roomier/ensuite rooms many other places for about the same rates (or less).

Hi Jenn,<BR><BR>Great location - but it was one of the worst hotels I've ever stayed at. The rooms on the front are incredibly noisy. The 1st room was so smoky I refused it - and the beds are miny twins w/bad mattresses. The lobby and restaurant have been renovated and are nice.<BR><BR>Good Luck!

Our bed had the filthiest blanket I have ever encountered! probably from people having to walk acros the beds to get into the bathroom...Sorry!

I also stayed here and it is poor and shabby, aviod if possible

Stayed at the Strand Palace last July. The first room I got was claustrophobic and hot; I just went down to the lobby and asked for one on a floor with a/c -- the resulting room was fine.<BR><BR>Obviously there's a lot of variation in the rooms (the place is huge) and you just have to ask for what you want. <BR><BR>I payed 85 pounds a night through Londontown.com -- a good deal for such a central location -- breakfast included.

The only good things anyone ever mentions is it has "such a central location". In other words it is OK to stay in a total dump because it is "central"? If that is your only criteria you could stay somewhere just as central for about &pound;40 per night or less.<BR><BR>Yes - the Strand Palace is central. But so is almost EVERY hotel inside zone 1. And some are MORE convenient for touring since only the Picadilly and Bakerloo lines serve the tube stop. Victoria, S. Kens, Paddington, Charing Cross, etc are actually better served by the tube.