You know what struck me first about the Radisson Blu in Bloomsbury? The lobby actually feels like a proper London hotel should – there’s this understated elegance without all the stuffy pretension you get at some of the bigger chains. I mean, you’re literally on Bloomsbury Street, which honestly couldn’t be better positioned if you tried. You’ve got Russell Square just around the corner (perfect for morning runs, by the way), and you can walk to Covent Garden in about eight minutes without breaking a sweat.
The thing about this area that most people don’t realize is how incredibly well-connected it is. Yeah, you’re near the touristy bits, but you’re also in proper literary London – Virginia Woolf territory, if you’re into that sort of thing. The British Museum is practically next door, which sounds touristy until you realize you can pop in for twenty minutes on a rainy Tuesday afternoon just because you feel like seeing some Egyptian artifacts. The rooms themselves are actually quite impressive – they’ve got this modern Scandinavian thing going on that works really well. Clean lines, decent space (for London standards), and the beds are genuinely comfortable. I stayed on the fourth floor and it was surprisingly quiet considering you’re in Zone 1. The bathroom products smell amazing too, though I can never remember to check what brand they use.
What really won me over was the staff’s approach – they’re helpful without being hovering, if you know what I mean. Check-in was smooth, and when I mentioned I was there for a work thing, they actually upgraded my wifi without me asking. Little touches like that matter when you’re trying to get things done. The bar area gets pretty lively in the evenings, especially Thursday through Saturday, but it’s a good kind of busy – mix of hotel guests and locals who clearly know something good when they see it. Food’s solid too, though honestly with Borough Market a quick tube ride away and all of Fitzrovia within walking distance, you’d be mad not to explore. One small thing – if you’re driving, don’t even think about it. This is proper central London, so parking’s going to cost you more than the room rate. But that’s what the tube’s for, and Goodge Street station is right there.