Staunton Hotel – B&B

Hotel Description

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much from the Staunton Hotel when I first walked up Gower Street – it’s tucked between a couple of those typical Georgian townhouses that Camden’s full of – but this place actually gets it right. The B&B sits right in the heart of Bloomsbury, and I mean properly in the thick of things. You’re literally a three-minute walk from the British Museum (which, honestly, is both a blessing and a curse depending on how you feel about tourist crowds), and Russell Square tube station is close enough that you’ll hear the occasional rumble if you’re a light sleeper.

The building itself feels like someone’s well-loved family home that just happens to rent out rooms – which is exactly what you want from a proper London B&B, isn’t it? The owners clearly know their stuff; check-in was smooth, none of that awkward standing around while they figure out the booking system. The rooms have that comfortable, lived-in feel without being shabby – decent beds, proper tea-making facilities (not those tiny hotel kettles that take forever), and windows that actually open, which is rarer than you’d think in London hotels. I stayed during a particularly warm spell in June, and being able to get some air moving made all the difference. The breakfast room downstairs has this lovely morning light, and they do a proper full English if that’s your thing, though the continental options are solid too.

What I really appreciated was how quiet Gower Street gets in the evenings – during the day it’s busy with students from UCL just down the road, but after about 8pm it settles right down. Perfect for getting a decent night’s sleep before tackling London the next day. And speaking of location, you’re genuinely spoiled for choice here – Tottenham Court Road’s shopping is a ten-minute walk south, Regent’s Park is fifteen minutes north if you need some green space, and there’s this brilliant little café called Katsute 100 just around the corner on Torrington Place that does incredible Japanese-style sandwiches (trust me on this one). The only minor niggle I had was that the Wi-Fi got a bit patchy on the upper floors during busy periods, but honestly, that might’ve been a blessing in disguise. Four stars feels about right for this place – it’s not trying to be flashy, just comfortable and well-run, which is exactly what you want when you’re using London as your base. The 8.4 rating makes perfect sense too; it’s the kind of place where everything works as it should, the staff actually care, and you end up recommending it to friends without hesitation.

Rooms

• Standard Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Superior Double Room with 1 extra-large double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child
• Standard Twin Room with 1 double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child
• Triple Room with 3 single beds, 1 single bed and 1 double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Small Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Standard Single Room with Shower with 1 double bed for 1 adult

Facilities