Hyde Park, Ramada Jarvis

The hotel is OK, not the greatest rooms. I was on the 7th floor and had no hot water, just lukewarm, and the water pressure was weak. The food is great, that is it!! There was a firedoor close to my room and people would bang it all night long, instead of closing it softly. Then after I got home and was checking my bank statement, found that a number of charges were fraudulent. All but one came from the United Kingdom. Since I only used my debit card to check out from the hotel, I must assume that someone at the hotel pinched my debit card information and it could only have been after I checked out, so a desk clerk or admin clerk is the guilty party. IF you HAVE to stay there, use cash!!!!!! Also ask them for a lower floor. Hopefully you have better water temps and better pressure.

Good point, proximity to tube and royal parks. Bad points, poor housekeeping. Room not cleaned during day. Slow at breakfast, crockery not clean. The Ramada Jarvis is not one of our favorite London hotels

The hotel is meant to be a 4* but I have stayed in better more up to date 3* hotels. Good Location and overall not a bad hotel but would not go back again. .

The rooms were Ok, again tired looking and we booked double rooms which are 2 singles put together so not greatly comfortable.

I have complained about the hotel but had no reply in 2 weeks which says to me the Hotel does not care about this problem. The Ramada is part of a large group called the Wyndham Hotel Group who franchise out their hotels but obviously do not check up on their standards.

Overall I would never stay at any hotels in this group again.

I stayed at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, Hyde Park for two nights with my family on a weekend break to take in some of the sights in London in September, 2003.

The hotel is convenient for both the Notting Hill Gate (slightly closer) and Bayswater underground stations. These are both on the Circle line which includes Euston Square (a three minute walk from Euston station).

Although we chose to take the train to London, there is parking for 30 cars (allocated on a first come first served basis) and there was an NCP car park right opposite which seemed reasonably clear at the weekend we stayed).

The walk from the Bayswater station is quite an experience and really brings home the international nature of the Capital. Within a three hundred metre walk, you could choose from Chinese, Vietnamese, Maroccan and Italian cuisine.

The hotel is right opposite Hyde Park and this makes for some great views accros the London skyline - when booking, ask for a room at the front of the hotel, 5th floor or above to get a great view over the trees of Hyde park from which you can see the London Eye. The windows and secondary glazing can be slid back so you can really let the atmosphere of the capital into your room (the secondary glazing is essential as at night the Bayswater Road stays fairly busy pretty much all night).

English breakfast was a help yourself buffet style. There was a reasonable choice with plenty of staff on hand although at peak times the kitchen did struggle to keep up with demand a bit.

We did not dine at the hotel itself so I cannot comment on the evening fare. The bar was well stocked and you can even treat yourself to a well earned cocktail after a hard day pounding the streets of London.

The hotel rooms were excellently kept - decor and fittings are of a high standard. We found the hotel to be family friendly with video games available in the rooms (for a charge).

When it comes to getting about, the knowledgable hotel staff are happy to advise on bus services to the various tourist landmarks.

There is a bus stop right outside the hotel from which you can take a hop on/hop off topless red london double decker bus tour. This connects with another two services at Picadilly and runs every twenty minutes or so (charge is £15/adult and this includes a Thames river cruise).

Walking accross Hyde Park in the morning is particularly enjoyable for the glimpse it gives you of Londoners at play - if you're staying with children, there is a lovely childrens play area in the park with some great features including a giant wooden pirate ship. It's also worth diverting past the lake to watch the miniature racing yachts.

All in all, a highly recommended place to stay for a trip to London.