GREAT BRITAIN - Best of Europe 2014 - page 847

the west, near Queensway and Notting Hill—see here . ) To reach this area, exit the station
toward Praed Street (with your back to the tracks, it's to the left). Once outside, continue
straightacrossPraedStreetanddownLondonStreet;NorfolkSquareisablockaheadonthe
left.
On Norfolk Square
These places (and many more on the same street) are similar; all offer small rooms at a reas-
onable price, in tall buildings with lots of stairs and no elevator. I've chosen the ones that
offer the most reasonable prices and the warmest welcome.
$$ St. David's Hotels, run by the Neokleous family, has 60 rooms in several adjacent
buildings. The rooms are small—as is typical for less expensive hotels in London—and
basic, with minimal amenities, but the staff is friendly (S-£50-60, Sb-£70-85, D-£70-85,
Db-£90-120, Tb-£100-130, free Wi-Fi, 14-20 Norfolk Square, tel. [phone], fax 020/
7402-9061, www.stdavidshotels.com , [e-mail] ).
$$ Tudor Court Hotel has 38 colorful rooms conscientiously run by Connan and
the Gupta family. While the tiny rooms are tight (with prefab plastic bathrooms) and the
rates are a bit high, this place distinguishes itself with its warm welcome and attention
to detail. If you smell them cooking up a big batch of curry rice, the Guptas are getting
ready to take it to the homeless shelter, where they volunteer each week (S-£54-63, Sb-
£95-108, “compact” Db-£99-120, larger “standard” Db-£135-165, “compact” Tb-£144-180,
larger “standard” Tb-£162-198, family room-£180-225, higher rates are for Fri-Sat and
otherbusytimes,freeWi-Fi,10-12NorfolkSquare,tel.[phone],fax[phone],
www.tudorcourtpaddington.co.uk , [e-mail] ).
$$ Falcon Hotel, a lesser value, has less personality and 19 simple, old-school, slightly
musty rooms (S-£59, Sb-£69, D-£85, Db-£95, twin Db-£99, Tb-£139, Qb-£149, rates flex
with demand, free Internet access, pay Wi-Fi, 11 Norfolk Square, tel. [phone],
www.falcon-hotel.com , [e-mail] ).
$ easyHotel, the budget chain described on here , has a branch at 10 Norfolk Place.
Elsewhere near Paddington Station
To reach these hotels, follow the directions on the previous page, but continue past Norfolk
Square to the big intersection with Sussex Gardens; the Royal Park is a couple of blocks to
the right, and the others are immediately to the left.
$$$TheRoyalPark istheneighborhood'sclassysplurge,with48plushrooms,polished
service, a genteel lounge (free champagne for guests nightly 19:00-20:00), and all the
little extras (“classic” Db-official rates-£189-279, but prepaid/nonrefundable offers are as
low as £139-189, bigger “executive” Db for £20 more, prices vary with demand, does