Alhambra Hotel

In the guesthouse-laden blocks south of King's Cross, the two-star Alhambra Hotel stands out. Its 52 guest rooms are simple but spotless, and its staff is focused like a laser beam on customer satisfaction.

Quick read

Pros: Very clean. Helpful staff. Good value.

Cons: Bare-bones rooms. No elevator (and steep stairs). Picks up street noise.

Rooms

The rooms at the Alhambra Hotel are pretty basic, with standard room furnishings. Beds and side tables come in blonde wood, and bedside lighting is at the perfect height. The Alhambra’s rooms feature coffee and tea facilities, a flat-screen television and in-room safe.

Bathrooms

Rooms at the Alhambra Hotel come with a variety of bathroom configurations. “Basic” rooms are the cheapest and share all facilities, while “Superior” rooms are equipped with an in-room shower but share everything else. There are also rooms with full private bathrooms.

One of our favorite details in the hotel is the blue-and-green tiling found in private bathrooms, which freshens the rooms up significantly.

Hotel

The building’s exterior provides a hint that the Alhambra Hotel is different. Built as a lodging house in the 1840s, its doorways and windows are studded with mosaic work. The hotel’s sign is beautiful, the gates are kept freshly painted and flowers and greenery pour out.

It’s clear that the details are carefully tended to at this property, and the folks here are proud of the Alhambra’s history. Hallways are festooned with framed glossy photos of major London landmarks.

Best of all, the rates at the Alhambra Hotel are good—not quite “bargain,” but vastly less expensive than most nearby mid-range hotels.

Wi-Fi is free throughout, and breakfast is usually included in the room rate (check when booking). Note that the Alhambra does not have an elevator.