Average hotel in v. good location

We stayed in the hotel for Valentines Day in February 2005. The hotel has an excellent location - it's very central and extremely convenient as there is two tube stops very close by. There's a range of shops and restaurants in the close vicinity (easy walking distance). Check-in at the hotel was slow as their computer system had failed. The staff were helpful, but not overfriendly. The room was clean and had most amenities, although I was disappointed to find that there was no mini-bar. The bathroom was small, but clean. We had booked a double room, and were very disappointed to find only 2 single beds - no double beds. We asked the staff if we could change to a room with a double bed, and we were told the hotel only had twin rooms available - no double beds. Fortunately we booked a quiet room in advance, as the rooms facing Hyde Park are next to the very busy Bayswater Road. Breakfast was excellent - eggs, bacon, sausages, fruit, toast, yogurt, croissants, mushrooms, hash browns, cereal, juice etc.

The hotel's lobby showed the price for a "twin room" as £175 per night. We paid less than half of this as we had booked through a promotion, but there is no way (in my opinion) that a twin room in this hotel is worth £175 per night.

Shabby

I'd booked a double room and arrived at 5 pm to take it. I was given a key and went to the room which had not been made up and was disgusting. I had to take an alternative twin. There were just too many problems with the room - broken fittings, dirt, etc. I could not recommend it.

Fine if you get a good rate. No internet.

Like all the midprice hotels I've stayed at in London, slightly frayed around the edges, although of fairly recent construction (early 90's?). Was there for 7 nights last week, someone had booked for me at a very good rate and the location is pleasant and very convenient. Good choice of diverse ethnic restaurants nearby, very good tube and bus service. Some problems with false fire alarms (3 times while I was there, once at 2 am). My room was clean, airy, well lit and generally serviceable. Trouser press, steam iron, tea kettle, hair drier. American style noisy air conditioner under window, with vents covered by the drapes. Window did not lock properly, in bathroom tap handle was loose. Ask for a room facing the side street, as Bayswater Road in front is very noisy and the windows are single pane. Poor sound insulation between rooms. No internet connection in rooms, not even a terminal in lobby, and very expensive local phone calls. Two slow elevators who tended to forget where they were going. Breakfast was OK during the week, but on Saturday and Sunday or when a tour group is trying to cram in it's a zoo. OK as English breakfast buffet, but no fresh fruit or yoghurt. Staff polite but not particularly friendly. Tried to charge me for pay TV I did not use, but backed off immediately when I challenged the charge.

They Try Hard

We were spending the 3rd week in September in London on a Globus tour and the Ramada Jarvis was their moderate priced hotel. We have never liked Ramada hotels, so perhaps we were a little biased going in.

The best thing going for this hotel is it's location...across the street from the NW corner of Kensington Gardens/Hyde Park and tube stops were a 5 minute walk in either direction.

Our room had a great park view (6th fl) but that meant we also had a lot of road noise from Bayswater Road. The furnishings in the room were in good condition and clean and the bathroom was the same, but the room felt small and the ac/heating unit was cleverly disguised behind the floor to ceiling draperies. So your choice is ventilation or a dark room; if you leave your window open, the street is very noisy.

The elevators were acting up the week we were there, so we made several trips up/down 6 flights of stairs. The front desk people were sometimes helpful and sometimes not and they frequently misplaced luggage as they insisted on delivering it to your room.

The Globus people were definitely helpful.

The kitchen was our biggest complaint. Our rate included a full English breakfast and we felt the quality of the food was poor and the service was poor. Though my sister, who came to pick us up at the end of the week, said the food was standard for England.

So, all in all, the hotel was functional, but when we return to London, we will try one of the other hotels in the same neighborhood, and pray for a better one.

A great weekend getaway!

We were booked at this hotel thru priceline.com, so we got an excellent price! We were very pleased and surprised with the quality of the hotel based on how we came about staying there. It is very close to shops/restaurants and transportation (Queensway) which makes it a perfect location for getting anywhere in the city. Our room also overlooked Kennsington Gardens and Kennsington Palace. It is a little noisy since it's on a busy street, but they do have double windows...and after a day of touring we were usually tired enough to block it out. I would definitely recommend this hotel!

Fantastic Stay

We stayed at the Ramada Jarvis for from March 3 thru March 13. We have never been treated as well at any hotel we have ever stayed. The staff is more than willing to help in any way possible. Location is perfect also clost to the bus and tube stations. Breakfast was wonderful. We would not hesitate to stay here again. Egyption cotton sheets and all, It was GREAT !!!!!

OK but nothing to write home about

I stayed at the Ramada Jarvis Hyde Park for 4 nights from Feb.12 to Feb.16, 2004. Location is brilliant. 3mn walk from Queensway tube station, 5mn walk from Notting Hill Gate and 10mn from Portobello Road.If all you want is a good location, a clean and comfortable room and a bathtub that works (a luxury in London hotels) after a long day of shopping, this hotel will suit you (Note to shopping addicts : there's hardly any closet space !). However, this is a chain hotel, so forget the atmospheer and personal service of a quaint B&B. Oh, and breakfast is ludicrous : staff is slow, rude and unprofessional, and food certainly not worth the -very long- wait. Save yourself the aggravation and walk to Notting Hill for a real cappuccino ! Another thing : Standard rate is too high (around GBP 175) but if you book through one of the many discount websites like I did, it becomes very good value for money

Okay, but VERY noisy!

My boyfriend and I stayed here in Nov 2003. When we arrived we were delighted to find that we didn't have to wait until 3pm to check in, we were quicky given a room that looked good in the dark...however after getting some rest and opening the curtains we discovered we had been given a room on the first floor, near the busy street and that we had some very rude neighbors! We called downstairs to complain, but nothing was done! Drunken neighbors kept us up from 1am-5am!! We were not very happy as you may guess. (This rudeness went on for 3 nights!!) Also, the breakfast was not that great. Not a good selection. And service was horrible. It is a good hotel if you are looking for an excellent location, it's right across the street from Kensington Palace and Hyde Park. Be warned!

Overrated

Great location, but hotel not up to even our cheapest motel chain standards. Room was comfortable, but a tiny bathroom. Tub was very slippery, no hand rails, and had to ask for a rubber bath mat.

Restaurant was supposed to be top notch, but service Saturday night was terrible, and hardly anyone there. Asking for an omelet at breakfast was a big mistake - it took 3/4 hour, and many requests. Breakfast buffet just OK. Our room never was made up one day - by the time we go back to our room at 4 or so, and they were ready to come in, we had to get dressed to go out for the evening. Price is right.

A nice surprise

I was originally booked to stay at the Ramada Jarvis Kensington but apparently they had overbook and transferred my reservation to Ramada Jarvis Hyde Park. I was not happy at first but was pleasantly surprised by the change. Although it says Hyde Park in the title, the hotel really overlooks Kensington Gardens more so than Hyde Park. I had a room on the 6th floor facing the Gardens and it was just a really lovely view. The room was huge especially in comparison to the shoe boxes I was in when I was in Paris. The bathroom was very nice and the tub/shower worked well. The room came with a pants press and iron/ironing board. The staff was very pleasant at the desk and very helpful. I would definitely stay there again.