Amsterdam Hotel

In the Earls Court neighborhood, there are too few lovely hotels at the affordable end of the spectrum. The Amsterdam Hotel picks up the slack, offering attractive three-star rooms with proven customer-oriented service and rates that, while not necessarily what we’d call “Cheapo,” aren’t unbearable.

Quick read

Pros: Pretty décor. Very clean. Pleasant staff.

Cons: Slightly pricey. Rooms can pick up street noise.

Rooms

The Amsterdam Hotel’s 27 guest rooms are appealing in an immediate way. They are so dependent on bright tones—white floors, light floral duvet and pillow motifs, almost-peach walls—that they appear to be bathed in light. Rooms like these can’t hide dirt, and it’s impressive how amazingly clean these appear.

The entire shebang has an appealing look, simultaneously dated and modern, with a distinctly early 1990s feel. Prints of Mediterranean buildings hang on walls. Desk space is ample and uncluttered. There is a frisson of luxury in these color-bleached rooms that modern aunts will appreciate.

Rooms are equipped with a tea kettle, flat-screen TV, phone, safe and fan. The private bathrooms are virtually colorless.

Hotel

Customer service is a selling point at the Amsterdam, which bases its business model on repeat customers. (What a sound, even novel, approach in London, a city clogged with hotels performing below par!) The hotel manager told us that she hasn’t taken a holiday in years, and given her attention to detail—we watched her ably manage several tasks at once—this information doesn’t exactly come as a shock.

Although more expensive than many of our London picks, the Amsterdam Hotel is a good, solid bet for those who want to feel taken care of without having to break the bank in the process.

Wi-Fi is free throughout, and breakfast is usually included in the room rate (check when booking).