Howard Winchester Hotel, London

9-10 Argyle Sq, London, WC1H 8AS

This 73 room bed & breakfast is set in a quiet garden square in central London. The Howard Winchester is near the Kings Cross station, ideal for business and le... more

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6/10 Overall rating

Category Average Rating
7/10 Check-in process
6/10 Your room
7/10 Working order of facilities / equipment
7/10 Order and cleanliness of the hotel
6/10 Performance of staff
6/10 Overall experience
7/10 Overall value for money
  • 8/10 Suzanne ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Middlesbrough , GB  on  August 28, 2008

    "i would recommend this hotel as an excellent base to stay at.e.g. sleep have breakfast,go out for the day come back get ready go out again then sleep etc." (99321679)

    well run hotel opposite small park in a quiet road.excellent to use as a base for travelling via tube or rail from kings cross.

    rooms are small with no chairs to sit on or tea ,coffee making fascilities so you can't relax in your room in between sightseeing etc.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  July 14, 2008

    "The room was very cramped and it would have been better to provide a kettle and tea-bags than a TV (with no remote!) But it was clean, the bed was reasonably comfortable (except the bed-head) and the curtains kept the light out well. Not 100% sure I wouldn't stay again - reasonable value for money and very convenient for Kings Cross, but I would think twice." (108094899)

    Some of the staff at breakfast were really cheery, which made a good start to the day. The tea was excellent - how nice to find somewhere serving real tea (though a strainer might be a good idea).

    Bit of a shock after the spanking new doorstep and (in progress but potentially nice) reception to find rather gloomy and slightly smelly stairwell and especially the corridor outside the room.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 7/10 Alexander ( Mature couple) 

    from Vienna , AT  on  August 25, 2008

    "good value for money" (97531879)

    convinient near railroad stations and public transport

    very narrow staircases, no lift

  • 5/10 John ( Family with older children) 

    from Moulton , GB  on  August 21, 2008

    "Considering that I paid much less to stay in a hotel overlooking Sydney Harbour recently (about £50 per night ) the small room and lack of even a jug and facilities to make tea , was very disappoiting. Small things, such as the cupboard having insufficient height to hang a pair of trousers ,and that we could hear the sexual activities of the people in the room above at 1 am made the stay memorable for the wrong reasons" (108058475)

    Check-in and check out staff were friendly and efficient.

    We had room at front on ground floor, and when the window was opened to allow fresh air in, we were instead treated to cigarette smoke from people sitting on the entrance steps to the hotel, and to their mobile phone conversations. Could hear floor and bed creaking from room above.

  • 8/10 Janet ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Sheffield , GB  on  August 21, 2008

    "would come back again" (108074485)

    staff on reception always courteous and very helpful

  • 8/10 Simon ( Young couple) 

    from Tiverton , GB  on  August 19, 2008

    "Good value for money, one of the cheapest in the area." (97766193)

    Reasonable quality cooked breakfast- a rare treat in a London B+B. The receptionist (and owner, I think) is a Londoner with a London accent and good local knowledge- another rare treat !

    Quite a bit of noise from guests late at night, not directly the fault of the hotel you might say. Also, the door to the breakfast room slams every time someone uses it- very noisy if your room is on the ground or basement floors. I hope they get this fixed.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  August 18, 2008

    Nice staff, good breakfast, friendly ambiance.

    The moquette of our room had a bad smell.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  August 18, 2008

    "The hotel very adequately served its purpose." (97611497)

    Cleanliness, friendliness, location.

    Very little pressure in shower - I was on the top floor!

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  August 17, 2008

    "Good value for money." (108073072)

    Helpfull staff, excelent location near St.Pancras station

    Entrance to bathroom almost too narrow for average built person, No warning that oversized persons cannot use the ensuite facilities. Shower a mere trickle.

  • 3/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  August 14, 2008

    "Another bad experience in the same street of london really a bad reflection of what you get for your money in london." (107290217)

    Room to small, toilet and bathroom in a wardrobe. shower head didnt work properly.

  • 8/10 Tracey ( Family with older children) 

    from Lee-on-solent , GB  on  August 5, 2008

    "Great hotel for stop over, we were going on Eurostar early next morning and was easy transfer even with large suitcases and small children!" (97372470)

    Excellent location 2 mins walk to St Pancreas train station on quiet street opposite a park, clean quiet room, fast check in and out, welcoming for children who enjoyed complimentary sweets! Breakfast served quickly.

    Expensive for us but average for London. Breakfast portions small, we all got the same which was fine for kids but small for us!

  • 4/10 Gregory ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Bury st edmunds , GB  on  July 3, 2008

    "The hotel is obviously being improved, but the cellar rooms are not particularly value for money. Three of us shared the room which was adequate for our purpose." (108001037)

    Handy for the tube station

    We were put in the cellar room at front, the smoke alarm was broken, the extractor in the bathroom did work, the downstairs hall way had a damp smell. The front was being refurbished so messy, lots of builders, and chaos. The floor above has no soundproofing, we listened most of the night to people above us.

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  August 4, 2008

    "comfortable" (108013381)

    reception and breakfast services

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Group of adult friends) 

    on  July 31, 2008

    "comfortable" (97304786)

    easy access from kings cross station and heathrow

    no tea making facility

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  July 31, 2008

    "Reasonably comfortable and convenient. Value for money" (108022523)

    Well situated in a leafy square and very near to trains and buses.Welcoming and helpful reception staff. Very clean linen and towels. Substantial cooked breakfast

    No lifts. Difficult to get to the top floor with luggage Breakfast finishes a bit too early.

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  July 29, 2008

    courtesy and cleanliness - newly refurbished bathroom

    room too small, in the basement - poor breakfast room

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  July 28, 2008

    "The room satisfied my need for somewhere to sleep for two nights in London at a reasonable price. It was not somewhere I would have liked to spend any time or for any other purpose other than sleeping." (108003930)

    Exterior, reception and stairways undergoing refurb. Attebtiveness of staff and service at b/fast. Breakfast was well cooked.

    No lift. Second electricity point in room did not work. No seating in the room other than the bed. Radiator behind bed was very dirty. Shower could have been more powerful. Builders began using powerdrill in adjoining room at 9am. No chance of long lie.

  • 9/10 William ( Mature couple) 

    from Manchester , GB  on  July 26, 2008

    "Met our needs. We were satisfied with the hotel" (97822236)

    Clean, good location and more than adequate breakfast (which was served to us); reception staff friendly.

    room had no , or very little, natural light.

  • 9/10 Jerry ( Group of adult friends) 

    from Kirkland , US  on  July 14, 2008

    "Very good location and value for London, I've been visiting for 30 years and this was a nice surprise." (97212719)

    1) Great location! Very quiet, but just 2 blocks from Kings Cross rail and underground connections. 2) Excellent family room for the price, bath has just been redone to a high standard.

    Some renovation in progress, but results were well worth any inconvenience.

  • 10/10 Danielle ( Young couple) 

    from Theddlethorpe , GB  on  July 13, 2008

    Very friendly staff.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  July 13, 2008

    "Our second night was very much better in a room on 2nd floor and the woman on the desk in the morning apologised for the first night, was efficient and reasonable. They were decorating the reception area it was a bit of an obstacle course. I wish we had known that. A lift would be such an improvement." (97511298)

    Our first room was, as asked on first floor. When we asked for a change on second night it was immediately dealt with.

    Our first room was tiny, the TV was at top of wardrobe which meant we had to really stretch our necks upward, I have a problem with my neck. The fire alarm went off twice during the first night and we could hear the receptionist complaining on the phone, and people coming into the hotel at night. We were also next door to the loo, which meant we heard everyone come and go. The fire beep was on all night, for safety reasons, I do understand that, but sleep was elusive and uncomfortable. Bed smaller than we were used to, but we were assured it was 4'6''

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  July 13, 2008

    "overall quite good" (97593581)

    easy accsess to train station

    for our age over 60 to many stairs to climb and no evening meal service

  • 9/10 Cyril ( Mature couple) 

    from Nr oldham , GB  on  July 12, 2008

    "good" (97296977)

    was very clean.breakfast excellent.staff very helpful even to the point of handing out maps and pointing out best way on the underground.

    no bad points.Even though work was being carried out it did not effect us at all

  • 10/10 Barbara ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Cupar , GB  on  July 12, 2008

    Friendly staff, spotlessly clean room, efficiently served breakfast

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  July 12, 2008

    "A good cheap stopover near kings Cross" (97834338)

    Excellent breakfast. Clean comfortable bed and a good shower.

    Steep staircase no lift

  • 10/10 Richard ( Young couple) 

    from Chesterfield , GB  on  July 8, 2008

    Very Very kind helpful staff.

    Nothing really just a little messy in the enterance, but that cannot be helped when having having internal work done. Very happy with the prices and every thing else. We have already recommended people.

  • 5/10 Anonymous ( Solo business traveller) 

    on  June 20, 2008

    "The hotel is receiving some substantial refurbishment and when complete could be much more attractive so I may try it again later - but in the meantime lots of wiring and plaster work means plenty of disruption. Realistically though it' s still one of the cheaper hotels so `you get what you pay for' " (97578169)

    Handy for Kings Cross station - Breakfast ok and served quickly...

    Very small basement room - impossible to use shower room without crouching . Reception not paticularly weloming . Also as my room near reception quite noisy as people checked in later in the evening - have stayed before and upstairs room better

    1 of 1 people found this review helpful:

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  July 7, 2008

    "Giood hotel, value for money. " (97783979)

    We found this hotel very good value for money. Clean room and sheets. Excellant breakfast. Pleasant owners. ideal locality for the show we went to see.

    We were woken up at 5 oclock in the morning by an argument between some people outside and the police arrived to late to sort the mater out. i believe the night porter sorted everything out and we had an apoligy from the owner.

  • 9/10 Martin ( Solo business traveller) 

    from Monmouth , GB  on  July 6, 2008

    "good experience and value for money" (97548809)

    Friendly staff clean updated room

    No lift

  • 8/10 Linda ( Group of work colleagues) 

    from Burton-on-trent , GB  on  July 4, 2008

    "The hotel, with room and breakfast, was good value for money and the staff were all friendly - we had a very enjoyable break in London." (97560536)

    Hotel in excellent position for King's Cross tube station, a 5 minute walk to subway with access to King's Cross and St.Pancras stations and the tube - where there are 6 different lines that go through it.

    There was some building and renovation work being done when we stayed, although this was not too intrusive to our stay.

  • 7/10 Helen ( Same sex couple) 

    from Boston , GB  on  July 3, 2008

    "Good, cheap, cheerful & clean hotel with friendly staff & good breakfast included. Excellent location convenient for tube & mainline stations, ideal as a base for sight seeing break. Good value for money." (97267249)

    Room was clean, airy & comfortable. Adjoining bathroom also very clean. Stayed 4 nights - clean towels each day, room & bathroom cleaned each day. Friendly staff, breakfast good, plenty of tea or coffee & prompt service. Good location, 5 minutes Kings Cross mainline & tube, 10 minutes walk to Euston Station

    Room small & in need of painting! Refurbishment underway during visit - may be on" to do" list. Shower like hose pipe stream not shower! Noise from creaking floors above & loud humming of extractor fans from other bathrooms. Stair carpet ripped & threadbare (also on to do list ? )No tea/coffee making facilities in room.

  • 9/10 Claire ( Same sex couple) 

    from Goole , GB  on  July 2, 2008

    "Would definatly recommend to anyone" (97795773)

    Clean, tidy, good location for Kings Cross Station and value for money.

    For the price and in London there were no bad points.

  • 9/10 Glenda ( Group of work colleagues) 

    from Lowestoft , GB  on  July 1, 2008

    "Overall stay was good." (97264954)

    Very friendly staff, breakfast good.

    We would have liked a kettle to make a drink, workmen woke us quite early in the morning, but the hotel is being improve, and will be great when finished.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Same sex couple) 

    on  July 1, 2008

    the rooms were adequate but very clean. Building work was going on but disruption was kept to a minimum. Showers were new and clean but very small. we were very surprised at breakfast how many people were staying in the hotel as there was no noise at all.

    Breakfast wasn't very large and not a lot of choice for vegetarians. Tea making equipment in the rooms would have been appreciated to be able to make a drink first thing on a morning and last thing at night. Room was on the small size I don't know how two people would cope if it was let as a double room. Drawers were difficult to open. There was no toilet paper in the rooms but we were given some when we asked.

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Mature couple) 

    on  June 30, 2008

    "On balance the good points outweighed the bad and we would consider staying there again." (97349323)

    Perfect location, good service, good price, fairly quiet street, good breakfast.

    The hotel was being renovated during our stay. The curtains in our room were very dusty, the toilet seat was broken

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  June 30, 2008

    excellent location at check-in the staff person was helpful and carried my bag upstairs.

    the clenliness could have been better and no elevator i had asked for coffe at 6 am, whih ws apparently possible, but when i checked out, it was not redy and not remembered......

  • 10/10 Bernard ( Mature couple) 

    from Near filey , GB  on  June 29, 2008

    "Excellent value for for money in an ideal locacion for visiting all the attractions. Very friendly staff and owners , clean and comfortable rooms and an excellent breakfast. Will be staying again." (97239657)

    Friendly , clean and comfortable . Everything as described on web site.

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Group of work colleagues) 

    on  June 28, 2008

    "can't complain" (97242578)

    friendly from the stuff

    same breakfast with no fruits.no selection of food.

  • 7/10 Piet ( Group of work colleagues) 

    from Vereeniging , ZA  on  June 27, 2008

    "Good" (97352563)

    Good value for money Conveniently located for Underground

    Restoration work in hotel(necessary but inconvenient at the time) Creaking floors Late night noise in the street/front door

  • 8/10 Anonymous ( Same sex couple) 

    on  June 25, 2008

    Location brilliant. The female owner (?) was great. Helpful and went out of her way to accommodate our needs.

    Hotel in the process of being renovated. Room rates appeared to be expensive with renovations dominating the overall standard of the hotel. Carpets very shabby but I would suspect they will be replaced. The attitude of the breakfast serving staff and reception staff when the owner was not there could be improved

  • 6/10 Anonymous ( Family with young children) 

    on  June 25, 2008

    "Great location and friendly staff" (97718508)

    Great location

    Rather delapidated. Although was being renovated

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Group of work colleagues) 

    on  June 22, 2008

    "The rest of the staff were helpful and friendly" (97821066)

    Location,Price and Cleanliness.Owners and MOST staff very helpful

    Two members of staff were abrupt and unnecessarily stated the finish of the breakfast time.We only wanted more hot water for the teapot at 9.02.

  • 6/10 Julie ( Young couple) 

    from Corby , GB  on  June 20, 2008

    "Overall a fairly good overnight stay." (97078849)

    Helpful staff on arrival, good central location.

    Building work was in progress that we had not been informed of when booking.

  • 7/10 Anonymous ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    on  June 18, 2008

    Close to train station and easy to find. Friendly staff. Hotel was being redecorated so will soon be updated, fresher decor.

    I would have liked to have had tea/coffee making facilities within the room whcih was not available and was not clear before booking. However the room was adequate without this facility.

  • 8/10 Paul ( Mature couple) 

    from Merritt island, fl , US  on  June 18, 2008

    "Great staff/owner renovating to improve hotel. Just small due to age of building." (97210168)

    Great friendly owner/operator. Great location. Fantastic breakfast.

    Very small. Literally had to put suitcase on bed to have room to stand at sink.

  • 9/10 Debbie ( Young couple) 

    from Dundee , GB  on  June 14, 2008

    "Very good experiance." (97636879)

    Staff were very friendly and helpful. Room was clean and tidy. Breakfast was served quickly and was very good.

    Bathroom was a bit small. Sink was inside room and not inside the en suite. Floor gets very slippy when in shower as it is a wet room.

  • 8/10 Allan ( Mature couple) 

    from Bristol , GB  on  June 13, 2008

    "This was very basic accommodation but ideal in terms of location and price." (97110288)

    Clean, quiet, excellent location

    Small bar of soap only. Bathroom door not sealed when closed, paper-thin walls so could be very noisy depending on guests above or adjoining.

  • 10/10 John ( Mature couple) 

    from Mandurah , AU  on  June 13, 2008

    "Very good location. bedroom a bit crowded with a small double and a single bed, much better with a bigger double bed or 2 singles" (97406195)

    Good breakfast, friendly and helpful staff

    can be a bit noisy at night

  • 9/10 Anonymous ( Same sex couple) 

    on  June 10, 2008

    "Very good and value for money, will definitely stay again if we're are in London again as it is ideal as it is very close to Kings Cross Station" (97831382)

    Cold water in shower on Sunday morning was not good

  • 6/10 Anita ( Solo leisure traveller) 

    from Hull , GB  on  August 4, 2008

    The room was clean and the practical. Bed was confortable and clean

    There were no tea and coffee facilities in the room. The room felt a bit cramped with little room to move and put luggage.

    0 of 1 people found this review helpful:

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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