Hotels and Boarding Houses

III. HOTELS AND BOARDING HOUSES. During the Season and in August and September hotels in London are often full, and it is prudent to engage rooms in advance. The most expensive hotels are naturally found in the fashionable quarters of the West End, but in Bloomsbury and other districts there are many good hotels with more moderate charges; the traveller will be able to select a hotel to suit his pocket in practically any of the groups in which our list is arranged. Besides the palatial hotels de luxe, equipped and managed on cosmopolitan lines, there are many first-class hotels with slightly lower charges but not inferior in comfort, while the better second-class houses are thoroughly comfortable and are freely patronized by travellers of good station. The large railway hotels, to be found at most of the chief railway termini, are convenient for passing travellers. So-called Private Hotels differ from the others mainly in having no licence for the sale of alcoholic liquors, though visitors may provide their own wine, etc., or have it 'sent out for.' The best private hotels (in Mayfair) rank in luxury (and in charges) among the leading hotels. Temperance Hotels (especially in Bloomsbury), in which alcoholic liquors are not consumed, often afford comfortable quarters at very reasonable rates. Commercial Hotels (chiefly in the City), frequented by business men, are moderate in price, and are usually comfortable if not luxurious. Residential Hotels (in all parts, but particularly in Bayswater and Kensington) supply flats or suites of furnished apartments (with attendance) from 63/ per week, according to size, fittings, and locality, meals being ordered from or served in a general restaurant on the premises. Before taking possession of his rooms at a hotel, the traveller should have a precise understanding as to the charge. Bills should be paid at reasonably short intervals, as mistakes are then more easily checked. Notice of departure should be given before noon, for otherwise an extra day may be charged for. Many hotels, on application, make an inclusive 'en pension' charge (minimum circa 10/-12/ per day) for a stay of not less than three days; but sight-seers will generally find it more convenient to take their meals at restaurants. In most hotels the favourite public resort is the Lounge, but there are usually also a Drawing Room (where smoking is forbidden), a Smoking Room, a Writing Room, and sometimes a Billiard Room. In some old-fashioned hotels the dining-room is known as the Coffee Room. Alcoholic liquors are supplied at any hour to residents in hotels; those ordered otherwise than at meal-times are usually paid for on the spot. Iced water is not often obtainable except in hotels and restaurants of a high class. Valuables should be kept carefully locked up in the owner's trunk or deposited with the hotel-manager in exchange for a receipt. When the visitor goes out, he may leave his bedroom key at the office. CHARGES. The charges quoted in our list of hotels are based upon tariffs courteously supplied by hotel-keepers and upon the bills of travellers, and give a general idea of the charges at different types of hotels. The charge for rooms almost invariably includes that for attendance. It not infrequently covers also the use of the public bathrooms, but otherwise baths are an extra (hot 1/, cold 6d.). In the more modern houses bedrooms with private bathrooms may be had. Other extras are fires and the serving of meals in private rooms. The charge for private sitting-rooms is relatively high. Special rates are quoted for visitors' servants. GRATUITIES. The head-waiter (through whom the bill is generally paid), the special waiter who has attended the visitor at meals, the chambermaid, the hall-porter, and the 'boots' (who cleans the boots and carries the luggage) all expect to be 'tipped.' To get full value for one's tips, they should be distributed at least once a week. At a hotel of moderate class 10/-15/ on a bill of �5 is ample, but a one-night visitor will give proportionately more. The head-waiter receives rather more than the other servants. An occasional 6d. is enough for the page or lift-boy. If any charge for attendance is made in the bill, the tips may be proportionately reduced. The following list, making no claim to be an exhaustive catalogue of the hotels of London, is intended to offer the visitor a comprehensive choice of accommodation. The omission of a name from our list implies no derogatory judgment. Some of the large hotels in the central tourist district and some of the leading temperance hotels are grouped together, but otherwise the hotels are arranged according to districts. Room means a single-bedded room, with light and attendance; for a double-bedded room (i.e. with a large double bed) or for a room with two single beds the rate is generally slightly less than double. 'Pension' includes board and lodging. The charges for meals are those for table d'hote meals. A plain breakfast at 2/-3/ may usually be obtained if desired instead of the more elaborate table d'hote breakfast. LARGE FIRST CLASS HOTELS IN THE CENTRAL DISTRICTS. Ritz, at the corner of Piccadilly and Arlington St., overlooking the Green Park, of the highest class, sumptuously fitted up in the Louis XIV. style, with winter-garden and restaurant; Room from 25/ (including bath), suites from �66/, Breakfast 3/, Luncheon 8/6, Dinner and dance, 17/6), in the grill-room Luncheon 7/6, Dinner 10/6. Carlton, at the corner of Pall Mall and the Haymarket, another luxurious hotel belonging to the Ritz Co., with palm-court and restaurant; Room from 25/, double room & bath, 73/6, suite �5 5/, Luncheon 8/6, Dinner and dance 12/6. Claridge's, Brook St., an old-established house now belonging to the Savoy Hotel Co., with an aristocratic clientele, with restaurant; Room from 30/. Piccadilly, in Piccadilly and Regent St., near Piccadilly Circus, with terrace, grillroom, and restaurant, Room from 21/. Berkeley, 77 Piccadilly, opposite the Ritz, with grill-room and restaurant. Room from 30/. - Prince's , 190 Piccadilly and 36 Jermyn St., with palm-court, grill-room, and restaurant; Room from 15/ (including bath), suites from 42/, Breakfast from 2/6, Luncheon 7/, tea 1/6, Dinner 12/6. Savoy, Savoy Court, Strand, a very large hotel overlooking the Thames, with a cosmopolitan clientele, a fashionable restaurant, and a glass-covered terrace; Room & bath, 35/, Breakfast 3/6, Luncheon 8/6, Dinner 12/6, Diner & dance, 15/6. Cecil, 76-88 Strand, another very large establishment commanding a view of the Thames, with palm-court (dancing); Room from 12/6, suites from 55/, Breakfast 2/6 & 4/6, Luncheon 5/ & 7/6, Dinner 7/6 & 10/6. Metropole, Northumberland Avenue, patronized by Americans and belonging to the Gordon Hotels Ltd.; Room 15/, R. and bathroom, 30/, meals served in the restaurant. Park Lane Hotel and Green Park Hotel, Nos. 108 and 105 Piccadilly, are new hotels, under construction in 1926. HOTELS IN MAYFAIR, TO THE NORTH OF PICCADILLY. Connaught, Carlos Place, Grosvenor Square, a first-class family hotel; R. from 21/ (incl. bath), B. 3/ & 4/, L. 6/, D. 10/6. - Curzon, 56 Curzon St. , with restaurant; R. 12/6-25/, B. 2/6 & 4/, L. 5/, tea 1/6, D. 7/6, pens. 22/6. Brown's & St. George's, 29-34 Albemarle St. and 21-24 Dover St. , a family hotel. - Batt's, 41 & 42 Dover St. , Carter's, 14 Albemarle St. , two good family hotels; R. & bath from 10/6, suites from 42/ and 52/6, B. 2/6 & 4/, L. 4/, D. 7/6, pens, from 25/. - Burlington, 19 & 20 Cork St. ; R. 12/6, B. from 4/, L. 5/, D. 7/6. - Fleming's, 9 & 10 Halfmoon St. . - Almond's, 6 & 7 Clifford St. ; suites 73/6-94/6. -Baldwin's, 19 Dover St. ; suites only, meals a la carte. - Grosvenor Court, at the corner of Oxford St. and Davies St. ; R. & bath from 10/6, L. 3/6, D. 5/, pens. 16/6. - Washington, 6 Curzon St.; R. from 10/6, suites from 52/6, B. 4/, L. 5/, D. 8/6. - Erie's, 21 Grosvenor St. , private. See also Claridge's above. HOTELS IN ST. JAMES'S, TO THE SOUTH OF PICCADILLY. Jules, 85-87 Jermyn St. , with restaurant; R. from 15/, B. 2/ & 4/, L. 6/, D. 8/. - Haymarket, 1 Jermyn St., R. from 15/, suites from 52/6, B. 3/6, L. 3/6, D. 5/ & 6/6. - Bellomo's, 102 Jermyn St. - Cavendish, 81-83 Jermyn St., a family hotel; R. from 8/6, suites from 52/6, B. 2/6, L. 7/6, D. 10/6. - Felix, 52 Jermyn St.; R. & bath 15/, suites from 35/, B. 1/6 & 3/, L. & D. a la carte. - St. James's Palace, 15 Bury St. ; R. from 10/6, suites from 52/6, L. 5/6, D. 9/6, pens. from 27/6. -Stafford, 16 & 17 St. James's Place , in a quiet situation; R. from 12/6, suites from 42/, B. 2/ & 4/, L. 5/, D. 7/6. HOTELS NEAR CHARING CROSS AND PICCADILLY CIRCUS. Hotel Victoria, R. from 15/, L. 6/, D. 8/6, theatre dinner 6/6, Grand, R. from 12/6, L. 4/6 & 6/, D. 7/6, two large hotels of the Gordon group, Northumberland Avenue. Regent Palace, Sherwood St., Piccadilly Circus , the largest hotel in London, with winter-garden, grill-room, and restaurant; R., B., & bath 9/6, L. 2/3 & 3/6, D. 3/6 & 7/6, tea dance 2/, dinner dance, 4/6 (no gratuities). - Charing Cross, a railway-terminus hotel at Charing Cross Station, with restaurant; R. from 8/6, B. 4/, L. 4/6, D. 6/6, pens. 22/6. -Garland's, 15-17 Suffolk St., a comfortable house, patronized by Americans; R. from 8/, suites from 35/. Queen's, Leicester Square with grillroom and restaurant; R. & bath from 12/6. Golden Cross, 452 Strand, opposite Charing Cross Station, a good commercial house, with grill-room; R., B., & bath from 9/6, L. 3/, D. 4/6. HOTELS IN THE STRAND AND ADJOINING STREETS. Waldorf, Aldwych, a large modern hotel, with palm-court, grill-room, and restaurant, lying on the verge of the City; R. from 12/, suites from 30/, B. from 2/, L. 4/6, & 6/, D. 7/6 & 10/6, the dansant 4/, dinner dance 10/6. Strand Palace, 372 Strand, a large hotel about to be much extended; R., B., & bath 9/6, L. 2/, D. 3/6 (no gratuities). In the quiet streets leading south from the Strand: Howard, Norfolk St.; R. & B. from 12/6, L. 4/, D. 6/, pens, from 21/. - Arundel, 8 Arundel St., at the corner of the Embankment. - Norfolk, 30 Surrey St.; R. from 9/, B. 3/, L. 3/6, D. 5/6.-Loudoun, 24 Surrey St. - Craven, 43 Craven St. - Adelphi, 1-4 John St. To the north of the Strand: Tavistock, Piazza, Covent Garden , for gentlemen only; R., B., & bath from 8/6, L. 3/6, D. 3/6 & 5/. - Shaftesbury, 37 Great St. Andrew St. , unpretending; R., B., & bath 7/, L. 2/, D. 3/. HOTELS NEAR VICTORIA. Grosvenor, Buckingham Palace Road, adjoining Victoria Station, a large hotel belonging to Gordon Hotels Ltd.; R. from 15/, B. 2/, L. 4/6 & 6/, D. 8/6, pens, from 27/6. Goring, 15 Ebury St., Grosvenor Gardens , modern, R. & bath from 17/6 suites from 84/, B. 2/6 & 4/, L. 4/6, D. 7/6, pens, from 30/. - Belgravia, Grosvenor Gardens, with restaurant - Rubens, 39-43 Buckingham Palace Road; R. & B. from 10/6, suites from 30/, B. 2/ & 3/6, L. 3/6, D. 6/6, pension from 22/6. - Wilton, Wilton Road, opposite Victoria Station, unpretending; R. & B., 9/6-12/6, L. 3/, D. 4/6. HOTELS IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE AND BELGRAVIA. Hyde Park, 66 Knightsbridge, a large first-class hotel, in a good situation. Alexandra, 29 & 31 Knightsbridge. Hans Crescent, 1 Hans Crescent ; R. from 15/, suites from 63/, B. 2/ & 4/, L. 5/, D. 7/6. Cadogan, 75 Sloane St. ; R. from 10/6, suites from 52/6, B. 2/6 & 4/, L. 4/6, D. 8/. - Knightsbridge, 163-169 Knightsbridge; R., B., & bath from 13/6, L. 4/6, D. 6/6, pens, from 22/6. - Basil Street, private, at the corner of Basil St. and Sloane St. - Royal Court, 8-10 Sloane Square ; R. & bath, 10/6, B. 3/6, L. 4/, D. 6/6, pension, from 19/. HOTELS IN KENSINGTON. Royal Palace, 6 Kensington High St., overlooking Kensington Gardens, with the Empress Rooms for balls, etc.; R. from 8/6, suites from 55/, pens, from 23/6. - Bailey's, 84 Gloucester Road, adjoining the District Railway Station ; R., B., & bath from 12/6, L. 4/, D. 6/6, pens, from 20/. -South Kensington, at the corner of Queen's Gate Terrace and Gloucester Road, frequented by Australians; R. & B. 9/6, L. 4/, D. 6/, pens, from 18/6. Most of the following are private hotels: De Vere, 1-5 De Vere Gardens . - British Empire, 28 De Vere Gardens; pens, from 5 guineas per week. - Prince of Wales, 16 De Vere Gardens; R., B., & bath from 8/6, D. 5/, pens, from 13/6. - Kensington Palace Mansion, 2-6 De Vere Gardens; R., B., & bath from 7/6, D. 6/6, pens, from 18/. - Rembrandt, Thurloe Place, opposite the Victoria and Albert Museum ; R from 10/6, L. 4/, D.6/6, pens, from 22/6. - Barkston Gardens, 36-44 Barkston Gardens, near Earl's Court Station ; R. & B. from 8/6, pens, from 4+ guineas per week. - Bolton Mansions, 11-14 West Bolton Gardens , R., B., & bath 8/6, pens, from 3+ guineas per week. - Milestone, 1 & 2 Kensington Court, new. - Regina, 17 Southwell Gardens, Queen's Gate; pens, from 3+ guineas per week. - Broadwalk, 9-13 De Vere Gardens; R., B., & bath from 8/6, L 3/, D. 5/, pens, from 13/6. - Imperial, 121 & 122 Queen's Gate. - Vandyke, 47-55 Cromwell Road; R. from 9/6, L. 3/6, D. 6/, pens, from 18/. - Central, Stuart, Worcester House, Nos. 123, 161, and 127 Cromwell Roadied - Rutland, 29 De Vere Gardens. - Queen's Court, 25 & 27 Earl's Court Square. HOTELS IN BLOOMSBURY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD. Railway Hotels: *Midland Grand, at St. Pancras Station ; R from 10/6, B. 4/, L. 5/, D. 7/6. - Euston, at Euston Station ; R. from 7/6, B. 4/, L. 5/, D. 7/. -Great Northern, King's Cross Station ; R. from 7/6, B. 2/ & 4/6, L. 3/6 & 4/6, D. 6/. Hotel Russell, Russell Square , a palatial building with winter-garden and restaurant; R. from 8/, B. 2/6 & 4/, L. 4/6, D. 6/6 & 8/6. Imperial, 61-65 Russell Square, another large hotel, with Turkish baths, winter-garden, etc.; R., B., & bath from 10/6 -Palace, Bloomsbury St. ; R., B., & bath from 10/6 L 3/ D. 4/. - Endsleigh, 15-22 Endsleigh Gardens ; R, B. & bath 7/9, pens. 52/6 per week. - County, 5-9 Upper Woburn Place ; R., B., & bath 8/6, pens. 52/6 per week.- First Avenue, 40-48 High Holborn, opposite Chancery Lane , reopened in 1926. - Berners, Berners St. ; R., B., & bath from 14/ L 3/6 D. 6/. - York, Berners St.; R., B., & bath from 10/6, L. 3/6, D 5/ pens 18/6. - Bedford, 83-87 & 91-95 Southampton Row a family hotel; R., B., & bath 8/6, L. 2/6, D. 4/. - National, 38-51 Upper Bedford Place ; R., B., L.2/6 D. 4/. - National, (no gratuities). - Royal, Woburn Place, now (1926) being built, with 1000 R. at popular prices. - Gwalia, 10 Upper Woburn Place ; R., B., & bath from 8/6, L. 3/, D. 4/6, pens, from 15/6. - Dean, 83-89 Oxford St., At the corner of Dean St. ; R., B., & bath from 8/6. - Grafton, 129 Tottenham Court Road ; R., B., & bath from 7/6, L, 3/, D, 4/. - White Hall, 9-ll Bloomsbury Square , with several other houses in the vicinity (e.g. 18-22. Montague St., with garden), a private hotel, pens, from 13). HOTELS IN MARYLEBONE AND BAYSWATER. Hotel Great Central, at Marylebone Station, a large railway and family hotel, with restaurant, winter-garden, etc.; R. from 10/, suites from 32/6, L. 4/6, D.6/6. Langham, Portland Place , large and well situated, with roof-garden; R. from 12/6, L. 4/6, D. 7/6. -Great Western Royal Hotel, at Paddington Station ; R. from 8/, L. 3/6, D. 5/6. - Ford's, 13-16 Manchester St., an old-established house; R. from 7/, L. 3/6, D. 5/6, pens, from 5+ guineas per week. - Mandeville, 8-10 Mandeville Place . - Clifton, 47 Welbeck St. Pl. R 32, B 29, II). - Dysart, 21 Henrietta St. . - Somerset, Orchard St. , R., B., & bath from 10/6, L. 3/6, D. 5/. - Welbeck Palace, 57 Welbeck Street. - Wigmore, 119 Wigmore St. , with restaurant; R. & B. from 12/6. - Portland, 97 Great Portland St. . - Norland, Granville Place Oxford St. west; R. & B., from 8/6, L. 2/6, D. 4/. - Vancouver, 29 Prince's. Square , R. & B. from 5/6, pens, from 2+ guineas per week. Private Hotels: Pembridge Carlton, 8 Pembridge Square ; R. & B. from 10/6, pens, from 3+ guineas per week. -Seymour, 15 Seymour St. , R., B., & bath from 10/6, pens. from 5 guineas. - Durrant's, 26 George St. . - Portman, 25 Portman St. ; pens, from 15/ or 4+ guineas per week. - Marble Arch, Oxford St., over the tube-station . - Mostyn, 19 Portman St., west; pens, from 5 guineas. HOTELS IN THE CITY AND ON THE SOUTH SIDE. Great Eastern, a large railway hotel at Liverpool Street Station, with the Abercorn Rooms for banquets, balls, etc; R. from 6/6, B. 4/, L. 4/6, D. 6/6. - Cannon Street, a railway hotel at Cannon Street Station, much used for company meetings, etc.; R., B., & bath from 10/6, L. 3/6, D. 5/6. - Manchester, Aldersgate St., with 300 bedrooms; R., B., & bath 8/6-10/6. - Anderton's, 162-165 Fleet St. , a great resort of dining clubs and masonic lodges; R., B., & bath from 8/6, L. 2/6, D. 4/. - Kennan's, Crown Court, 64 Cheapside . On the south tide of the Thames: York, at the corner of Waterloo Road and York Road . Empress, 54 Waterloo Road (temperance). - George Inn, 77 Borough High St., Southwark , a galleried coaching hostelry of the 17th century. TEMPERANCE HOTELS. Thackeray, 52-57 Great Russell St., Kingsley, 36-38 Hart St., two comfortable hotels under the same management; R. & B., 8/6, L. 2/6, D. 4/. - Bonnington, 90 Southampton Row , R., B., & bath 8/6, L. 2/6, D. 4/, pens. 87/6 per week. - Ivanhoe, 13 Bloomsbury St. , Kenil-worth, 92 & 93 Great Russell St., Waverley, 132 Southampton Row, all under the same management; R., B., & bath 8/6, L. 3/, D. 4/. - West Central, 75-81 & 97-105 Southampton Row; R. & B. from 8/6, L. 3/, D. 4/. -Strand Imperial, 143 Strand; R. & B., 9/6, L. 3/6, D. 5/. - Morton, 2 Woburn Place ; R., B., & bath 8/6, L. 2/6, D. 3/6, pens. 12/6. - Northway, 70 Euston Square ; R., B., & bath, from 7/, pens. 13/6 (no gratuities). - Cora, 12 Upper Woburn Place, R. & D. 8/6 pens. 13). - Red Triangle (Y.M.C.A.) 26 Bedford Place. - Queen's, 156 Aldersgate St. . HOTELS IN THE ENVIRONS. Some visitors to London may prefer to put up at hotels a little out of town, where pleasant gardens and opportunities for lawn-tennis, golf, etc., agreeably occupy intervals in sight-seeing. At Richmond: Richmond Hill Hotel; Metcalfe's Hydro. - At Hampton Court: Mitre. - At Croydon: Shirley Park, with golf course, pens, from 4 guineas; Bramley Hill, pens, from 63/; Selsdon Park, pens, from 6 guineas. - At Norwood,: Queen's, with grounds and tennis courts; Beulah Spa, with tennis courts, pens, from 10/6. - At Hendon, to the north of London: Hendon Hall, with garden of 25 acres, pens, from 5 guineas; Brent Bridge Hotel, with large garden. - At Bushey: Bushey Hall, adjoining Bushey Park golf-links, with tennis courts, swimming baths, etc. R. from 6/, L. 4/, D. 6/, pens, from 18/6. - At Iver Heath (14 m. from the Marble Arch), near Uxbridge; Woodlands, with golf, tennis, fishing, pens, from 5 guineas. - At Gerrard's Cross: Chalfont Park, with private golf course, tennis, etc., pens. 6 guineas. - At Totteridge (9+ m. from King's Cross): Copped Hall, with large grounds, tennis, etc., from 4 guineas. - At Mill Hill: Wentworth Hall, from 4 guineas.,- At Slough: Baylis House, an old mansion with large grounds. - At Walton-on-Thames: oatlands Park Hotel. - At Coulsdon (17 miles from Charing Cross): Ashdown Park Hotel. - At Cobham (Surrey; 19 miles from Waterloo): Leigh Place Hotel, from 4+ guineas. Boarding-Houses are numerous in all the residential quarters and suburbs of London; and, as in the case of hotels, their general style may be deduced from their locality and their charges. Many, especially in the West End, describe themselves as private hotels. Comfortable and even elegant boarding-houses abound in Bays-water, especially in the streets immediately to the north of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens, with inclusive charges from 3 guineas per week; in the neighbourhood of Earl's Court and Cromwell Road there are many establishments, both large and small; while Bloomsbury is par excellence a region of boarding-houses. In the cheaper establishments the economical traveller may secure board and lodging from 40/ per week, a special arrangement being made as to luncheon and afternoon tea. Further from the centre even lower terms may be obtained. The characters of boarding-houses vary so much and the tastes and needs of travellers differ so widely that the most satisfactory guide in choosing quarters is a personal recommendation from someone who knows both the house and the traveller. The servants in boarding-houses expect to be periodically 'tipped'. Private Apartments may be hired in almost any part of London. In this case also a personal recommendation is of great importance; but good quarters may generally be obtained on application to any respectable house-agent. The so-called 'residential hotels' practically consist of suites of such apartments; but, apart from these, the most luxurious and expensive quarters are found in St. James's and the streets off Piccadilly (from �2 or �3 per week upwards), where well-cooked and well-served meals are often furnished by arrangement, if desired. At the cheaper lodgings in Bloomsbury, etc. (from �1 per week), or the remoter suburbs (from 15/), the landlady seldom expects to be called on for any meal except breakfast. Furnished Houses or Flats may be obtained through the house-agents. Plate and linen are generally 'extras'; in case of need they may be hired from the stores. The convenient 'service flats' differ little, if at all, from residential hotels. Unfurnished service flats, which are increasing in number, are, of course, for permanent residents in London.