Penthouse

Hotel Description

You know what’s funny about the Penthouse on Great Russell Street? The name makes you think of some flashy rooftop suite, but it’s actually this really solid 4-star place that just gets everything right without trying too hard. I mean, when you’re literally across from the British Museum – and I’m talking you can see the columns from some of the rooms – you don’t need to oversell yourself.

The location is honestly perfect if you want to feel like you’re in proper London without being stuck in tourist hell. Great Russell Street has this nice buzz during the day with all the museum crowds, but it settles down nicely in the evenings. You’re a two-minute walk from the Museum Tavern (which, fair warning, gets packed with academics arguing about pottery shards), and Tottenham Court Road station is close enough that you’ll never struggle getting anywhere. The rooms themselves have this understated thing going on – nothing too fancy, but the beds are actually comfortable and the bathrooms work properly, which honestly puts it ahead of half the boutique places charging twice as much.

What really sold me on this place was how the staff seemed to actually know London. When I asked about getting to Borough Market, the guy at reception didn’t just hand me a generic map – he told me which Tube line to avoid during rush hour and mentioned this little coffee place near London Bridge that’s worth the detour. The 8.9 rating makes sense because it’s one of those hotels that doesn’t have any major flaws, just delivers what it promises. The breakfast room can get a bit cramped when there’s a big tour group, and you might hear some street noise if you’re facing Russell Square, but that’s London for you. Honestly, for the money and the location – you’re walking distance from Covent Garden, the West End, and about fifteen different pubs that have been around longer than most countries – it’s the kind of place you’d book again without overthinking it.

Rooms

• Penthouse Apartment with 2 × 1 extra-large double bed, 1 double bed and 2 × 1 sofa bed for 10 adults, 2 children

Facilities