Mercure London Bloomsbury Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hotel Description

You know what? I was honestly a bit skeptical when I first walked up to the Mercure on Southampton Row – it’s one of those Georgian buildings that could go either way, gorgeous period charm or cramped nightmare. But stepping inside, I actually got excited. The lobby’s got this really nice balance where they’ve kept the high ceilings and original features but didn’t go overboard with the “ye olde London” thing that makes some hotels feel like theme parks.

The location is what really sold me, though. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from Russell Square tube station, which puts you on the Piccadilly Line straight to Heathrow – no messing about with transfers when you’re dragging luggage. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize: Southampton Row is actually this perfect sweet spot where you can walk to Covent Garden in about ten minutes, hit the British Museum without breaking a sweat, yet you’re not dealing with the chaos of staying right in the West End. The street itself has that lovely mix of cafes and pubs where actual Londoners go, not just tourist traps. There’s this brilliant little Italian place called Spaghetti House literally next door that I ended up eating at twice because, well, sometimes you just want proper comfort food after walking around London all day.

What I really appreciated was how the staff seemed to actually know the neighborhood – when I asked about getting to Borough Market, the guy at reception didn’t just give me generic directions but told me exactly which carriage to get on at King’s Cross to make the connection easier. The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid four-star – nothing groundbreaking but properly comfortable beds, decent shower pressure (honestly a minor miracle in some London hotels), and they’ve managed to fit everything you need without making it feel cramped. The 7.3 rating makes sense to me because it’s not trying to be flashy or revolutionary, it’s just doing the fundamentals really well. My room faced the street and yes, you do get some traffic noise, but it’s not the kind of roaring main road situation that keeps you up all night. Actually, I found the gentle hum of London life quite soothing after a few days. If you’re the type who needs complete silence, maybe request a back-facing room, but honestly, you’re in central London – embrace it a bit.

Rooms

• Standard Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Superior King Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults
• Standard Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Standard Twin Room with 2 single beds for 2 adults
• Small Double Room with 1 single bed for 2 adults, 1 child

Facilities