St Simeon, London

38 Harrington Gardens, South Kensington, Kensington & Chelsea, London, SW7 4LT
1

A budget bed and breakfast hotel located in the heart of South Kensington. The st Simeon hotel is an inexpensive bed and breakfast hotel ideal for th... more

 

£ Rooms from £50 (approx. $75) per night
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5/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
6/10 Check-in process
4/10 Your room
5/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
6/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
4/10 Performance of staff
5/10 Overall experience
4/10 Overall value for money
  • 3/10 Brian ( Mature couple) 

    from Dorking , GB  on  September 28, 2008

    "Thankfully, it was for one night only, and thankfully, we have a sense of humour. On checking out, I was asked if I had paid a " (107251732)

    I can't think of any, offhand.

    1. Being asked to pay at registration. 2. Having my card details including security code visible to others, as others were visible to me.No tea or coffee-making facilities in room. Due to headroom having, as a male, to sit down to pee. Broken hose on hand-held shower. TV aerial cable broken. Window directly above bed had no curtain, so no means of reducing daylight. Insufficient towels - which once we were white, but are no longer.

  • 10/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  September 26, 2008

    "I was fully satisfied" (107276383)

    We were made welcome from the moment we arrived. Room was spacious, airy and clean.There was a homely feeling. Breakfast was very generous while coffee was offered gratis in the evening.

  • 4/10 Michiko ( Group of work colleagues) 

    from Sheffield , GB  on  August 1, 2008

    I booked on behalf of a friend and they said they were disappointed with the room

  • 9/10 David ( Mature couple) 

    from Nottingham , GB  on  June 15, 2008

    "Had a great weekend- the hotel was arranged to be somewhere to collapse after having a good time during the day. It did the job- well!" (97698754)

    Great value for money. Plenty of food- Breakfast good, if a little weird. Proximity to Gloucester Road & Earls Court Pubs & restaurants a bonus. Guy on Reception charming and helpful.

    None to speak of- if ou wanted 5* Quality you'd have to pay 5* prices.

  • 6/10 Tara ( Mature couple) 

    from Leeds , GB  on  May 28, 2008

    "good value for money, plenty of choice at breakfast, lovely people pity none of them spoke english! However I would stay again as it was close to everything and the price was fantastic." (97118647)

    the size of the room was very good, although not sure why an double ensuite had 7 beds to choose from!!

    I wasn't informed they were renovating and on arrival couldn't get into my room as they were still painting it! i had to come back after an hour!!

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Other) 

    on  March 6, 2008

    "Overall the hotel was very basic but it was ok, the people were friendly and you couldnt fault it and it was right near the tube and was in a nice location in London." (97478442)

    The people were really friendly and their was lots of fruit.

    The room was a bit cramped.

  • 3/10 Ruzena ( Family with young children) 

    from Moravany nad vahom , SK  on  November 6, 2007

    "The hotel was in nearby all London familiar places, but the internet booking wasnt showing the correct pictures of the room.If I knew how dirty and small the room would be, I would never book it, mainly if I was traveling with the child. It should also informed that the hotel is not very suitable for young children becouse of the noice in the evening, where, I could heard door closing very loudly, drunk people, so much loud music until the very early morning." (97505737)

    the room was very small for 3 people, very dirty, dirty bed sheets, no wardrobe

  • 5/10 Lorne ( Family with older children) 

    from Braintree , GB  on  October 25, 2007

    "Breakfast was very good.Staff were friendly and helpful" (97292153)

    It was clean

    Toilet door did not have a handle,and toilet seat fell off

  • 3/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  October 5, 2007

    bed was ok

    not secure, abmissial breakfast, unprofessional poor staff

  • 3/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  July 31, 2007

    "This hotel has a great staff. They were very friendly and helpful. The hotel is very old and has no elevator. If you have a lot of luggage, this is not the place for you. The room was completely filthy, and I don't know if they even changed the cheats in my room because they disgusting, completely unacceptable. Not only were the sheets dirty, the entire room was. The walls are covered in stairs, the window curtains were dusty, also with stains, and the bathroom curtains were also disgustingly filthy. I have NEVER been subjected to such a dirty hotel, and had an awful experience here. I don't think it should be difficult to provide your guests with a clean room, but apparently it is for this hotel." (97186097)

    The staff was friendly.

    The sheets were filthy. The window curtains and shower curtians were the same. Absolutely disgusting. I had to sleep ontop of my towel it a sweat shirt and sweat pants because I was to disgusted to sleep in the bed. I was exhausted and extremely upset to find a filthy bed when I arrived. The light in the hall way, visible from a window above the door, was flickering all night, and I had to keep my room light on to keep from getting a head ache. I had 40 kilos in luggage, and had to haul it up 2 flights of stairs because there is no elevator.

  • 3/10 Anna ( Group of work colleagues) 

    from Upton upon severn , GB  on  July 27, 2007

    "Think it was poor value for money." (97327555)

    Good area

    Poor state of repair in rooms. Taps in one room did not work. Shower curtain mildewed.

  • 8/10 Maria ( Mature couple) 

    from Dorchester , GB  on  July 12, 2007

    The accommodation was clean

    all the stairs up to our room, 105 stairs being so far away from the dining area were the tea/coffee facilities were

  • 2/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  July 10, 2007

    "If I had some extra pictures of the room, and more fair revisions from the tenants I would not have booked there" (97095701)

    Breakfast

    The smell mould in the room, the old dirty curtains, the door that could not be locked etc

  • 9/10 William ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Manchester , GB  on  June 29, 2007

    "I would have preferred a room nearer the ground floor. I enjoyed the friendliness and politeness of the staff. I also thought the breakfast was magnificent and the waitress attentive, polite and friendly;" (99735885)

    Handy for personal visitations

    Too many stairs to climb for a 65-year-old

  • 5/10 Dan ( Family with young children) 

    from Viborg , DK  on  June 21, 2007

    "Staff was very helpsome and nice. Hotel was ok if you, as we, only should have a place to sleep. But if you would spend time on your room then find some where else. OK for the money." (99679468)

    It was wery central inside the cirkel line (tube) not very far away from the tube

    5 floor and only stairs. The lock on the door was almost cooming out of the wall.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  June 20, 2007

    "If I had known that this was a no star inn, even though it was listed on your website as a 3 star with the total lack of the basic needs of a business traveller I would not have booked. But the staff were very friendly but there was nothing that they could do to change the heat, humidity and lack of telephone, elevator etc." (99995904)

    Friendly Staff, central location

    No air conditioning in heat wave, no fans or air movement, no phone, no elevator - old furnishings, shower in need of repair

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  June 13, 2007

    staff was very friendly breakfast was good (also fruits and sweets offered) hotel is old but clean good location (underground very near and nice area)

  • 9/10 Samantha ( Young couple) 

    from Dallas , US  on  June 7, 2007

    "I would stay there on my next visit to London but would ask for a bigger room. Thats all." (99692547)

    It was very quiet, no one running around banging doors, The staff were wonderful, breakfast fantastic we ate so much we did not have to spend out on lunch, they allowed us free use of kitchen and as much fruit and teas/coffee as we liked

    Bed sunk in the middle and rooms were very small/

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  May 21, 2007

    "good" (99434462)

    the cleanliness of the room

    the room is small

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  April 26, 2007

    "if you don't have very high standards, only intend to sleep at the hotel and are looking for a very cheap hotel in central London, this is a good choice. the hotel staff is not as professional as you might expect, but overall, they're nice." (99640703)

    the location is perfect: nice neighbourhood, near all highlights of central London and near the tube station

    the room was extremely small, the beds were not very comfortable and the sheets/towels could have been cleaner. breakfast was only served until 9am.

  • 8/10 Matthew ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Castleford , GB  on  April 11, 2007

    Central to London, great location containing some wonderful highlights of the City. Staff seemed very friendly and welcomed us to take full advantage of the kitchens resources.

    The room was quite small for 3 people but for the cost we couldn't complain.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  April 10, 2007

    A very friendly and accomodating place. Good cooked breakfast

    Hotel a bit like fawlty towers - cheap and cheerful

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  February 14, 2007

    "On the whole it was fine, but the little things that were mentioned in the above section could improve the state of the room a lot. I would like to have known beforehand that the internet was not available in all the rooms, and also that the hairdryer was provided upon asking. Having said all this, I'll most probably go again next time I'm in London." (99809569)

    The staff were nice and helpful, as well as friendly. The room was fine, though it could be better in some ways.

    Lack of phone, lack of internet facility in the room (no:14), lack of bedside lamp, not very clean curtains & windows.

  • 9/10 Bryce ( Mature couple) 

    from Chester , United Kingdom;GB  on  February 10, 2007

    "Great for the price and location, good breakfast and wouldn't hesitate to use again." (99226221)

    Staff were great, friendly place to stay.

  • 5/10 George ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Motherwell , United Kingdom;GB  on  January 31, 2007

    Relatively clean with new en-suite. Good breakfast. Peaceful and quiet.

    Very very old furniture, curtains and carpets. TV not working. Needs freshened up.

  • 8/10 Amanda ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Blackpool , United Kingdom;GB  on  January 11, 2007

    "Very friendly and welcoming staff made my visit enjoyable even though i was a sole traveller. I went to see cirque du soliel at the royal albert hall and visited the natural history museum. All in all i fully enjoyed my 2 days in london. Hotel is in nice area with shops near by, it's a great hotel for anyone who doesn't have high expectation (basic hotel but good for the price) but the friendly european staff made all the difference." (99881611)

    Friendliness and european feel and reasonable price for hotel in kensington.

  • 6/10 Kevin ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from St.ives , United Kingdom;GB  on  December 13, 2006

    "Ok,cheap place,if you are on your own and just looking for a bed for a couple of nights." (99212566)

    Cheap

  • 6/10 Emmanuelle ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Bohain , France;FR  on  November 27, 2006

    The bed was large for a single bed, the toilets were clean. Good breakfast which includes fruit.

    The general cleanliness of the room was bad: the shower curtain was very dirty, as well as the towel in the bathroom (bathroom quite small). The mattress was broken. The TV didn't work.

  • 7/10 Judith i ( Mature couple) 

    from Murton , United Kingdom;GB  on  November 16, 2006

    "a good hotel if you want a clean bed ,good breakfast and to be near an underground station = glouster road. i will be staying here on my next visit to london" (99258381)

    very clean and basic

    no lifts to the different floors

  • 9/10 Gareth ( Group of work colleagues) 

    from Treharris , United Kingdom;GB  on  November 13, 2006

    "staff were supurb" (99280095)

    web site

  • 4/10 Ian ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Inverurie , United Kingdom;GB  on  October 31, 2006

    It was Cheap and fairly well located.

    Mould in the bathroom.

  • 7/10 Jesus ( Family with young children) 

    from Vigo , Spain;ES  on  August 7, 2006

    "La situaci" (3305041503)

    Location, prize, superb breakfast, nice staff

    uncomfortable matresses, just adequate in-suite bathroom

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Family with young children) 

    on  August 7, 2006

    "Liked it. Would stop again, will recommend friends." (3305051535)

    Location, price, staff is very friendly

    some minor problems in the shower, but in general everything is ok, keeping in mind hotel is under reinnovation.

  • 10/10 Haydn ( Mature couple) 

    from Adelaide , Australia;AU  on  August 3, 2006

    "Excellent hotel. Friendly and helpful staff. Breakfast provided was enormous. The staff just kept offering more and more - fruit, toast, cakes, juice, bagels" (3304091713)

    Friendly staff and huge breakfast-the amount on offer was enormous

    No airconditoning or fan but I'm aware it doesn't usually get THAT hot in London.

  • 3/10 Anonymous ( Family with young children) 

    on  July 25, 2006

    "The house is amazing but in the heat of the summer (it was the hottest day of the year) it was unbearable on the 5th floor (no lift) and the first impression was not a good one, being told to wait until Jack-the-lad had finished his dinner! His Dad then came in and (I am guessing) told him off in their native language!!! The breakfast was a bit sub-standard too but then I was only paying " (3305025483)

    Location

    When checking in I was rudely told that I would have to wait till the man finished his dinner!!! No airconditioning!

  • 8/10 Antony ( Mature couple) 

    from New york , United States;US  on  July 20, 2006

    "I would like to have known that the upper floors have no lift access. However, when I left I foolishly left a wallet containing my passport, money, and other important documents in my room. The staff were very helpful in finding and safeguarding the wallet until I was able to pick it up. Thanks, Alexander!" (3304225675)

    Central location and the very friendly attitude of the staff.

    No lifts: I was on the fourth floor!

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  May 30, 2006

    Good value for money in London. Staff very helpful Handy for Earls Court food, shops, underground

    Several flights of stairs to reach room

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Young couple) 

    on  May 11, 2006

    "The staffs work efficient and friendly. The room is cleaner than I imagined." (3304619195)

    clean, quiet

    Hope the bed to be more solid-looking.

  • 7/10 Toran ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Hayle , United Kingdom;GB  on  May 4, 2006

    the guy at reception

    the bed had a big dent in it

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  April 27, 2006

    "The hotel is under constant renovation. (New stair carpeting and paint were done while we were there.) So some parts are lovely and some are not. If you are able to enjoy the nice bits and the wonderful people, and overlook the occasional rough edge or knob askew, you will enjoy your stay as much as we did. And don't forget to talk to the other guests, who each seemed to have an interesting history." (3304360442)

    The staff is extraordinary. We consider the company of John, Alex and Daniel a highlight of our trip. You will be very well fed. Plentiful hot water. The hotel is about a 7-block walk from the Gloucester Road tube station, from which you may go anywhere. (Buy the new Oyster debit card at any station to pay your fares with.)

    There is no lift at present, and the nicer rooms are on the upper floors. In the UK, the first floor is up one flight from the ground. Add a mezzanine level, and my second floor room was three tall flights up, something like 125 stairs. Between that and sightseeing walks, we all have buns of steel. If you are not able to climb stairs, call and make sure that you will have one of the 6 rooms on the basement, ground or mezzanine level. Expect to find many missing or broken bits in the hotel; point them out and they will get fixed. Our stuck radiator and broken box spring were fixed quickly. We let the broken shower bracket alone. I fixed the handle to the fire door and knobs askew in my room myself. Maid service consisted only of making the bed each day. Ask for new linens at the desk if you want them. Though the hotel is generally clean, don't look under the bed.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Family with older children) 

    on  April 19, 2006

    I liked room 18.

    i had to wait 25 mins before being shown to our room. The first room given to us was inadequate for our needs.

  • 8/10 M concepcion ( Family with young children) 

    from Arcalis , Spain;ES  on  April 14, 2006

    "The hotel is close to subway, in a residential place. Room was OK. Bathroom very good. Breakfast very good, staff at breakfast very atent. Maybe de kitchen was not as handy as it could be, because at times was used by staff." (3304271669)

    I liked the place, quiet, also the staff and breakfast.

    everything was about fine.

  • 4/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  March 28, 2006

    "very spartan and narrow rooms - but the price is OK (for London) - my recommendation is concerning the price" (3304292432)

    the price

    cleanness, homogeneity in the breakfast-room

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  March 23, 2006

    Bathroom, Breakfast

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  March 22, 2006

    "Directions to hotel were very good." (3304399866)

    Location was excellent. Staff were friendly and helpful.

    The T.V. in the room was not working.

  • 4/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  March 18, 2006

    "very friendly and helpfull staff ,good breakfast service" (3304359128)

    very quiet street ,excellent location near tube station,restaurants,very friendly people

    cleanliness , shower and TV were broken ,elevator!

  • 7/10 Kristen ( Young couple) 

    from Mechanicsburg , United States;US  on  January 16, 2006

    "Besides having about 1000 stairs to lug baggage up, this hotel was good for its value. Full breakfast was included every morning and free coffee/tea were available all the time. It was located in an area of Kensington with not much to do and everything seems too far away to walk to but at least there is a tube station (Gloucester Road) very close by." (3304061681)

    The staff was very nice and I was pleased the room was ensuite and with a television

    Cleanliness could be improved. The sheets looked dirty and had holes in them.

  • 7/10 Stanislav ( Young couple) 

    from Staten island , United States;US  on  January 6, 2006

    "The location is easy to get to from the tube. Its close to Chelsea and King's Rd. which has a lot of shopping equivalent of Oxford Rd. and WAAAY less crowded. The neighborhood is so calm and chill, and really beautiful." (2513812)

    The people were very nice. They cooked really good breakfast, and helped us up with our luggage. Good easy to talk to kind of people.

    The rooms arent cleaned daily, and the beds arent made. Our bathroom window had no handle and wouldnt close all the way. And the bathroom didnt have a door.

  • 9/10 Ronald ( Young couple) 

    from Apo , United States;US  on  January 3, 2006

    "Very nice, very affordable, and a great breakfast. If you don't plan on spending a lot of time in your hotel room and want a safe and secure place to stay, this hotel is great. It's location can't be beat, I believe." (3304066569)

    The staff is friendly and the breakfast is unbeatable. I have been going here for years.

    Attention to small details like more modern bed coverings and ammenities.

  • 3/10 Anonymous ( Family with young children) 

    on  December 14, 2005

    "The room was at the top of the building (7th floor no lift). The sink was blocked, the drains smelled dreadfully. The room was too small and with sloping ceilings which meant we were constantly bumping our heads. The walls were so thin we didn't need to have the sound on to watch TV as we could listen to our neighbours! General shabbiness and dirty. I could not wait to get home!!!" (3304028302)

    location

    sanitation, cleanliness

The views expressed on this page are the personal opinions of guests and therefore do not necessarily represent the views of Active Hotels, Active Reservations or our distribution partners (About our hotel reviews).

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