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An elegant, spirited, and sprawling budget option, St. Margaret's Hotel, centered between the West End and the city, provides 60 affordable rooms that maintain that family-run spirit. The St. Margaret is a sensible choice for travelers who want to sleep in the middle of things without shelling out a fortune: it's situated half a block south of Russell Square, in the heart of Bloomsbury.
The very friendly Mrs. Marazzi, whose family has run the hotel since the early 1950s, offers well-appointed, tasteful rooms that are kept clean and fresh. Most rooms are spacious, and there is always some bit of painting or renovating going on someplace in the hotel. As Debra, Mrs. Marazzi's daughter explained to us, "We care about the place because we live here, too!"
Many of the private baths have been renovated and are totally spotless and newly tiled. Rooms without private facilities are equipped with sinks, and the shared facilities, located in the hallways, passed our inspection with flying colors.
Downstairs, you'll find crisscrossing hallways, staircases, sitting rooms, and swinging doors. Indeed, St. Margaret's has the aura of either a country manor house or a British sitcom. There are several lounges: one for watching television, one for smoking, and another "quiet room" for reading and reflection. An extensive backyard garden is open to guests in warmer weather.
An English breakfast is included in the price. If you need a baby cot, it will cost you £10 extra. The front desk can also supply hair dryers, electricity converters, modem plugs, maps, irons, and radios. There's no elevator, but rooms on the first floor are wheelchair accessible. | 
