Review of 39 Studios 4*

This is not actually a hotel but a rented apartment or “self-catered” accommodation, as some people call it. However, in most respects it worked just like a hotel. The only main difference, which was probably its biggest drawback, was checking in. There is no sign for 39 Suites, so you have to check in at the actual hotel nextdoor, which is somewhat marked. There are several accommodations nearby, including a youth hostel, so it can be confusing. Fortunately, the Spaniard who was working the desk during our stay was delightful. He was very friendly and easy to get along with. He gave us everything we asked for and more, even going so far as to call some taxi companies to help us get a good, cheap ride to Heathrow when we were checking out. (We ended up taking the Tube. ) The room itself was very small but had everything we needed, including a TV, Wi-Fi, and a kitchenette (which was the size of a small closet and hidden about as well as one. The bathroom (washroom) was fairly roomy by British standards. We stayed three nights, and the room was cleaned each time with sheets and towels changed. The only other issue we had besides the small size and strange check-in process was that the elevator (lift) was broken when we arrived, so we had to carry our luggage up multiple flights of very narrow stairs without help. It was fixed by the time we checked out, so it appears they do tend to things rather quickly. This ended up being a good option for as, especially since it was close to two different tube stops on multiple lines, bus lines, a park, and a street two short blocks over with every type of restaurant and kitschy tourist shop you could imagine. My wife loved the Chinese food I got us the first night, and we also ate at the Pret-a-Manger, Burger King, and Bella Italia.