Gainsborough Hotel

The Gainsborough Hotel is certainly "London quaint". Very tiny rooms, no views, few windows, AC only in the rooms, no ammenities. Fortunately I was only there for two nights because I could not take one more minute of the rude staff! They were completely unhelpful. They had no recommendations for restaurants in South Kensington or anywhere in London, for that matter. They had no idea how to get anywhere by taxi or how much it could possibly cost. (They suggested I go hail one on the corner). I don't even think they knew where their... more

South Kensington is THE area to stay for travelers looking for good value - especially given the fact that the USD/GBP exchange rate is horrible. While the rooms were a bit small, they are comfortable and clean. The South Kensington tube station is a 3-5 minute walk away, and Harrod's is a 10 minute walk (not bad for an afternoon of excellent shopping/people watching in Knightsbridge!) Breakfast was okay - nothing special. This was our 4th time in London and I will say, this is one of the better hotels for price value and location.

I stayed at this hotel because the one I usually stay at was booked. I was shocked at the size of the room. One twin bed and the room was the size of a hallway. The width of the room was about the width of a double bed and the length of the room was about 15 feet. They advertise high speed internet - wired and wireless, but when I tried to unsuccessfully connect I called the front desk, who told me they still hadn't completed their implementation of the internet in this hotel. This was a big deal since I am a business traveller.... more

I have to disagree with the last entry regarding this hotel. My daughters and I stayed at the Gainsborough for six nights. Found a great special rate on the internet. Since this was my 2nd trip to London I knew exactly where the hotel was located. It is one and a 1/2 blocks from the South Kensington Tube Stop. A little hard to find, but with help from a shop owner we were on our way and soon was at the door (a five minute walk). The location can't be beat. The hotel is a charming set of row houses. The entry is very appealing with... more

The arrival: The charm of this hotel ends the moment one enters the foyer. Upon our midday arrival on January 31 for a 3 day stay in London, we were greeted with no welcome, no smile, no warmth. This was not going to deter our personal efforts to have a pleasurable stay. The bell hop service to the room was pleasant, thorough etc. This is the only and last pleasant experience of this hotel. The room: If you are claustrophobic, this is not the place for you. No more than 4 average sized adults can fit into the lift at the same... more

The Gainsborough Hotel is a beautiful Victorian property. I have stayed with my family last year and we had a great time!!! The staff is very polite and helpful and the rooms are clean. Don't forget to try the traditional English breakfast it’s marvellous!

The only thing to recommend this hotel is its location. Some of the staff were extremely helpful and friendly - but not when it mattered. My husband and I booked through a propular online booking site - a very big mistake as it seems to have made the hotel management angry. They would not honor our request for a double room at first, but gave us twin beds. When we complained, we were shown a room with a double bed - and that's it. It was the smallest room I've ever seen. The bed took up the whole room and it smelled bad. And the mattress... more

Same about the nightclub in the basement that kept us awake for 2 nights. The hotel staff were very helpful and friendly and the standard of the rooms were good. Some of the mattresses needed renewing we had to turn my sons on arrival due to a pretruding spring. Small hotel with small breakfast room. Very convenient location for Natural History Museum. After the second sleepless night we were offered a room at the sister hotel over the road The Gallery - much better, nice hotel and would consider staying there again. Waiting to hear... more

We stayed at the Gainsborough for two weeks in May 2005. We had a triple room on the third floor, it wasn't as small as all the reviewers say there rooms were. The only problem we had with the room was the quality of the mattresses. The lobby was nice, the breakfast room and food were great, and the staff was friendly. However, the 'sister' hotel right in front, The Gallery, has a much nicer lobby, I would check that one out first. The location is simply unbeatable, two blocks away from the South Kensington Tube stop and surrounded by... more

I was awakened at 3 a.m. by scrabbling noises coming from under the bed. When I turned on the lights the noises stopped. However, they soon started again and some sort of large rodent grabbed a piece of paper from behind the bed. I called the desk and described the problem and asked if they could change my room. The attendant said that he could not do so and that he would have to call me back. I managed to get back to sleep even though I was awakened more than once by what I presume was a rat. The next morning I spoke to the... more