Jesmond Hotel
63 Gower St., London, WC1E 6HJ, England
Why We Like It
With a façade graced with plenty of Georgian charm, the Jesmond Hotel is certainly more striking from the outside than within, however, since aesthetics aren’t necessarily what this hotel is about, that shouldn’t matter too much. A welcoming, friendly, bed-and breakfast, the appeal is in the personality that stems from a family-run operation. There are always compromises for super-affordable prices like these, but given the superb location and convenient accommodation for families, it’s easy to overlook the lack of frills.
Inhabiting a beautiful black brick terraced townhouse on a quiet Bloomsbury street a short walk from the British Museum, this modest guesthouse doubles down on comfort and affordability. Guests who value location over fancy décor and superfluous extras will find the Jesmond Hotel the perfect base from which to explore the nearby sights of central London and beyond. Despite its location ten-minute’s walk from Oxford Street, Bloomsbury is a quiet neighborhood, which combined with the hotel’s budget prices, will appeal to families.
room
Despite the no frills approach to interior design, rooms are comfortable and clean with a variety of sizes to accommodate families. Beds and linens are in the ‘spare guest-room at your auntie’s’ mould, so while you shouldn’t go expecting superior luxury, there’s a certain coziness about them. Each one comes with a television and coffee and tea making facilities.
YOU SHOULD KNOW No elevator means that rooms are only accessed by a reasonably steep staircase, which could be a sticking point for those with mobility concerns.
bathroom
Most rooms come with the benefit of en-suite bathrooms with walk-in showers, however, the smallest rooms make do with shared facilities which might be a bridge too far for some—even at these prices.
Don’t expect to find luxury toiletries stacked in the bathroom. The no frills nature of the Jesmond Hotel means it’s advisable to bring your own if you require anything more than basic soaps.
lobby
A Georgian townhouse disguised as a hotel, a ring on the doorbell gains access to the carpeted corridor from where rooms run either up or down off the staircase.
dining
Essentially a bed and breakfast, the Jesmond Hotel sticks to the script and forgoes lunch and dinner, offering guests a traditional full English breakfast every morning.
drinking
With no bar, the homely shared lounge becomes the de facto arena if you want to unwind with a chilled gin & tonic at the end of a long day at the museums—only, you’ll have to provide your own gin & tonic.
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LOCATION
Getting Around
Within easy walking distance of the British Museum, Oxford Street and myriad bars, restaurants, shops, and theaters, the Jesmond Hotel has a great location. The hotel might not provide much in the way of entertainment but you don’t have to walk far to find it elsewhere.
Restaurants
With no restaurant at the hotel, eating out is the only way to go. The self-explanatory Steak and Lobster (8-minute walk) is a treat for whole family, while the budget Fryer’s Delight (18-minute walk) offers excellent value for some of the best traditional fish and chips in town. For an evening excursion, eat American classics at Bloomsbury Bowling (6-minute walk).
