I can't say that this place is 'stylish' or 'high quality', but, as it was located in the area in which I wanted to stay, it got my vote, as it were.
A few bits that I found frustrating: there was a serious drip under the bathroom sink that, when reported, was never remedied. I just didn't really use the sink for five days, so problem solved, I guess. The shower ran willy-nilly hot and cold during my four night stay. I figured that it had to do with the number of guests staying in the hotel. One morning the water ran cold (three rooms occupied), one morning the water was scalding (one room occupied). The first 'continental' breakfast was served by a well-meaning gal who didn't have the usual fare on offer, but could have 'run down to the shops' for me and pick up muffins, croissants, etc. as they had none. I declined and ate some underwhelming toast instead. Trying to leave the hotel around 7.30 in the morning resulted in my gripping wildly at the bannisters as the hall lights would not turn on. Carpeted, short steps do not make for a smooth descent. I was told later that the bulbs had burnt out and needed to be replaced. Well, I say, 'what are you waiting for? The tide to come in?' Replace the burnt-out bulbs in a timely fashion, so that guests aren't in a panic when trying to use the stairwell. There is NO RECEPTION at OneSixTwo save for the intercom system that 'greets' one at the door. One punches relevant details into a computer screen in order to obtain keys as if buying a coke from a drink machine. I couldn't figure out how to use the darn computer and needed the help of Ken, the offsite manager with garbled voice on the intercom, in order enter into the hotel itself.
The good bits: the room was clean, if, however, a bit run-down. I can only imagine that the crush of visitors during the 2012 Olympics wore down the carpet, the shower head, the curtains, etc. Most bits of the room looked 'loved' like the Velveteen Rabbit, if you catch my drift. However, I really don't mind stains on a carpet and a floppy shower head as long as the mattress is firm, and, by golly, it was! The area in which I was, Blackheath Royal Standard, tends to shut down as the sun sets, so I didn't hear much from the streets outside save for some insistently cooing pigeons outside my window.
Now that I know what to expect, I'd probably pay 79 quid to stay here again as it was so easy to reach from LDN City--three stops on the DLR, three stops on the National Rail and so close to both Blackheath Village and Greenwich, two places I enjoy visiting. Don't let the website for OneSixTwo fool you, however, it really ain't all that. read more
