Go for location not looks...

Stayed several nights with a university group - I had researched and this place is nothing like their website! I think we lucked out and had a bit larger room than everyone else and it wasn't that big. The staff is efficient but waste nothing on being helpful or warm. (I guess they save that for the conceierge so he can work on a tip!) Also, beware the included continental breakfast. Again, efficient, it has cereal, croissants, and fruit from a can, but not warm or inviting by any means. The one saving grace, it has a great location by the underground and Coventry Garden and several shows.

Horrible - Dump

I have never been so horrified in my life. Walking down long smelly corridors with swinging doors, I felt my heart sink as I opened the door to our "room" (questionable term). The wallpaper was falling off, strange odors, mildew collecting on the bathroom ceiling. The bedding was stained, smelly blanket from the 1960's and a buzzing TV. I am a seasoned traveler and this has to be the worst place I have ever stayed. We left early the next morning - I would have rather slept in the train station but luckily, I found a lovely hotel in Covent Garden with a marble bathroom and all of the modern amenities for the same exact price as the Flea Bag Strand (Palace???) Hotel! Funny though - the staff was very cordial almost purposefully oblivious to the horror looming above!STAY AWAY - VERY FAR AWAY!

Not so great

We stayed at The Strand Palace, and were not very impressed. Our room was so tiny, and didn't look ANYTHING like what is on their website. Not to mention that We had to go through 3 sets of swinging double doors to get to our room through a maze of hallways, and past the laundry room. And to make ANY phone call, just picking up the phone and dialing, was 2lbs a minute! Luckily there are pay phones off of the lobby. The staff wasn't very friendly either. The location is very good though, easy to get to the tube station.

Wouldn't go back

I stayed in the Strand Palace in December 2001 and was given the smallest room possible in the world. I know that some people say that London hotel rooms are small but I didn't have room to swing a rat, never mind a cat! The bed covers were old and ratty and the carpets worn. The bathroom was so small and definintely needed some refurbishment. To top it off we had a fire alarm at 3:00 in the morning and had to walk down 6 flights of stairs, to stand in the freezing cold, only to come back in 30 minutes later, with no apology from the hotel staff whatsoever.

For Me Location Wins

I stayed at the Strand Palace twice - September 2002 and March 2003 (10 days). For me location is key as I may see 10-12 plays, especially at the National Theatre on the South Bank. Just a short walk over Waterloo Bridge. West End theatres also handy and Covent Garden. There's a big new Sainsbury market nearby for snacks and drinks.My rooms - one very small, one bigger after I complained - were clean, comfortable and cheerful. Big English breakfast; breakfast room very crowded at weekends when groups arrive en masse. I visit London every year once or twice and have stayed in hotels of all sizes in all parts of town. Convenience counts for alot if you don't want to wait a long time for the bus or take the tube to Notting Hill! It's nice to be able to stop in for a respite before heading out for the evening when you're centrally located.In my price range there is no ideal London hotel, so location wins.

Would Return

My family of 3 stayed in a triple for 9 nights in Feb. 2003. The room was clean and efficient, though somewhat small. The continental breakfast was more than adequate for us, and they served the best coffee, with cream, which we didn't find at all places. In addition to the terrific location, the concierge was wonderful. We acquired almost all our entry tickets through them, at the regular price, and avoided the long entrance lines. After being there for so many days, we were greeted by name! We also had some late night dinners in Johnson's Cafe, good food and moderately priced (for London). We would definitely saty here again.

Great Location, So-so Accomodations

I stayed here just after Christmas for a few days. The location can't be beat - it's within walking distance to so many great attractions, shopping areas, tube stations, places to eat, etc.

The accomodations were ok. My room was small for the price and intermittently noisy thanks to room doors that slam shut quite loudly - the walls were also fairly thin. However, the tea setup in the room was nice, the tv was fine (and it had a clock in it and a wakeup call option), things were pretty basic but in ok shape. The twin bed was lacking support and perhaps the worst piece of furniture in the room. I didn't get any street noise however, because I had an interior room overlooking a dreary atrium.

My interactions with the staff were all very pleasant, except when the maid threw out (one assumes) my earplugs that were in a plastic case on the bedside table (!) thankfully I had an extra pair! It just boggles my mind why such a thing would disappear. Ha ha. After that I tucked everything possible into my bags in the closet when I left for the day, and even left the "do not disturb" sign up all day for one day.

Overall, it was reasonably good and I suppose the price for something so basic can be chalked up to the fabulous location in a city that's not cheap. I would probably stay here again, although it wasn't so great that I wouldn't try somewhere else either.

A diamond in the rough -- but a good choice

We just got back from a week long holiday in London. Overall our hotel stay turned out to be just fine. However, we had to take a stand to get a room with which we were satisfied. We booked our vacation through Go Today Travel and had requested a non-smoking room. Upon checking in it was clear from the smell of the room that we were not in a non-smoking room. We had to speak to the staff twice, and needed to use our assertiveness skills to get changed to a suitable room...initially we were given excuses..."the hotel's completely booked" then, low-and-behold...two non-smoking rooms materialized that worked out fine. The hotel is older and somewhat worn, the matresses were soft and unsupportive. But the location is just great walkable to so many sights, the service fine, and the breakfast more than adequate. Also, we saved quite a bit by booking through Go-Today.

Christmas In London

The Strand Palace is ideally located on the Strand, within walking distance of Trafalgar Square, Charing Cross Rail Station, Embankment Tube Station, National Gallery, St. Martin in the Fields, Covent Garden, St. Paul''s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, British Museum, the Temple, West End. You can find cheaper places to stay, but why waste time getting from your hotel to where you really want to be?

The rooms were nice without being fancy, medium size, ice machines on the club room floors. We stayed on the Club Room floor and had a secure .. only Club Room guests had keys .. meeting room for our group. There was a television, VCR, small kitchen, phone, comfortable chairs .. our own living room while we were in London. A couple of evenings, we brought in wine and cheese to consume while we watched a movie together. The Club Room floor is only a few dollars more and well worth it. Continental breakfast included fruit, cereal, rolls, bread, yogurt, coffe, tea, milk, etc. For 3GBPs more, you could get a full, cooked breakfast. Staff is friendly and helpful.

After a long day traipsing around London, I returned to my room to find a gift from the hotel on my bed. Inside a lovely green box was a delicious fruit cake .. totally different from the US idea of a fruit cake. This one was good!

This will be a hotel we'll stay in again.

Standard, Few Frills, Excellent Location

Have stayed on business here many times (totalling several months).

Standard Rooms are clean and basic. Most are adequately sized, though there are some that feel no larger than a cupboard. Executive rooms slightly better, plus have use of a separate lounge area.

Try not to get a room around the rear of the hotel, as night time deliveries/refuse collections can be noisy.

Breakfast is reasonable and evening meals are very nice. Room service selection is not large but suffices for occasional calls. 2 Bars, 1 open late; so expect to have headache in the mornings.

The location is excellent; right in the heart of the entertainment. Lots of restaurants and everything in walking distance.