I was in London for a mix of work and pleasure, and I went for Haringey Hotel due to its more affordable rate than most accomodation in the area.
I commend the hospitality and kindness of the staff which was the highlight of my stay. They were lovely and attentive, which gave it a personable feel that you don’t receive with the big franchise hotels. Check-in and check-out was fast, the Wi-Fi information was in the room and the bed was extremely comfortable. I always looked forward to hopping in, which is even better than my own at home. The location is also convenient, only a few steps away from the station and many restaurants and grocery shops to choose from.
In terms of improvement, the first noticeable difference was that the photos are misleading. The room did not have the same presentation or cleanliness apparent in the ones listed. It’s similar to seeing food adverts that look jaw dropping, but when you order one in-person you’re disappointed with the reality.
There are a number of issues that I acknowledge is out of the hotel’s control. The building and rooms are old, therefore the walls are thin. You can hear mumbling when people speak at regular volume, the doors open and close, and laughing partiers in the middle of the morning. It’s located next to a vehicle repair shop, which can be noisy during the day.
As for what could be maintained better is the cleanliness. The mirror had spots and dust that could only have developed over several weeks or months. The kettle was full of water, most likely from the previous check-in, but it had excessive calcium build up. There was no provided instant coffee, only creamer, and the tea were single bags that you’d find in a box which didn’t have their containers.
The toilet also has build-up and the shower did not include any shampoo or conditioner, only body wash and hand soap from Aldi. I myself am an Aldi shopper, but as for presentation it does not look the best.
Overall, I would recommend this hotel if you’re not looking for a luxury stay and are okay with bare essentials, topped with a more personal touch from the delightful staff. They have potential to raise their quality if they address the issues of cleanliness and presentation, to make it feel more like a home away from home rather than a university dorm room.
