Looking for a genuinely affordable stay in London that puts you near the action without the West End price tag? The Maiden Oval Hotel, a three-star property in Lambeth, offers rooms from £38 per night and sits a two-minute walk from Oval tube station. This article pulls together verified facts from the hotel’s own site, guest reviews across multiple platforms, and location data so you can decide whether this budget option fits your trip.
Last checked: 2026-08-31
Compare the lowest rates and guest reviews. Many options with free cancellation.Check rates
Bundle flight + hotel and compare deals and rewards in one place.Check ratesThis link contains affiliate advertising. Prices and availability may change on the destination site.
Hotel name: Maiden Oval Hotel · Address: 9-13 Clapham Road, Lambeth, London SW9 0JD · Nearby landmark: Oval Cricket Ground · Price range: From £38 per night · Amenities: Free Wi-Fi, 24-hour reception, flat-screen TV
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-08-31.
Sources reviewed: Official hotel website, official booking channel, TripAdvisor reviews, Expedia listing, Trip.com reviews, KAYAK listing, Google Travel.
No on-site visit was conducted, no staff interview was performed, and we did not independently verify every amenity beyond the published sources.
At a glance: The Maiden Oval Hotel
- 9-13 Clapham Road, London SW9 0JD – a two-minute walk from Oval tube station and adjacent to Oval Cricket Ground (Official site).
- £38 per night – among the cheapest rates for a London hotel with a central postcode (Official site).
- TripAdvisor: 2.0/5 (12 reviews); Expedia: 7.6/10 (27 reviews); Trip.com: 8.0/10 (50 reviews) – a wide spread that reflects very different reviewer pools (TripAdvisor, Expedia, Trip.com).
- Check-in from 13:30, check-out by 10:30; free Wi‑Fi and flat-screen TV in all rooms; 38 rooms total (Trip.com).
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Hotel name | Maiden Oval Hotel |
| Address | 9-13 Clapham Road, Lambeth, London SW9 0JD |
| Nearby landmark | Oval Cricket Ground |
| Price range | From £38 per night |
| Amenities | Free Wi‑Fi, 24-hour reception, flat-screen TV |
| Number of rooms | 38 |
| Star rating (platform classification) | 3-star (Trip.com) |
| Nearest tube station | Oval (2-minute walk) |
| Distance to London Eye | 2 miles |
| Distance to British Museum | 3 miles |
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check-in time | 13:30 |
| Check-out time | 10:30 |
| Room types available | 6 (per official site) |
| On-site restaurant | Not listed – nearby dining options available |
| Parking | Not listed – public transport recommended |
| Official website | maiden-oval.london |
Pros and cons of The Maiden Oval Hotel
What works well
- Very low base rate for London – £38/night is hard to beat
- Two-minute walk to Oval tube station (Northern line) – quick access to central London
- Adjacent to Oval Cricket Ground – ideal for match-goers
- Free Wi‑Fi and 24-hour reception
- Positive scores on Expedia (7.6) and Trip.com (8.0) suggest many guests have a decent stay
What to watch out for
- TripAdvisor score of 2.0/5 – multiple reviewers complain about sewage-like smells, mould, and maintenance issues (TripAdvisor)
- No on-site restaurant or parking
- Review scores vary wildly across platforms – the real experience may depend on which room you get
- Some Trip.com reviews also mention smell and dampness, so the issue is not isolated to one platform
Who is this hotel best for?
- Budget travelers – The £38 starting rate makes it one of the cheapest central London options.
- Cricket fans – Oval Cricket Ground is literally next door.
- Solo travelers – A no-frills base with good transport links; you won’t pay for amenities you don’t use.
- Couples seeking affordable stay – If you’re out sightseeing most of the day, the price and location work well.
Pricing: how cheap is cheap?
The hotel’s own site quotes rates from £38 per night. That places it firmly in the budget bracket for London. By comparison, the average room rate in the city regularly exceeds £150, especially in zones 1–2. Even Travelodge properties near the Oval area typically start around £50–£60. The Maiden Oval’s pricing reflects its stripped-back offering – no restaurant, no parking, and a modest star rating – but for pure affordability it’s hard to argue with.
The bottom line: If your priority is minimising accommodation spend, this hotel makes that goal achievable.
Location and getting there
The Maiden Oval Hotel sits at 9-13 Clapham Road, SW9, a residential street in Lambeth. The nearest tube station is Oval (Northern line), a two-minute walk away. From Oval, you can reach central London termini such as Embankment, Charing Cross, and King’s Cross in under 15 minutes. The hotel’s own booking page says it is about 15 minutes from central London and next to the US Embassy (Official booking channel). KAYAK puts the distance to central London at 1.4 miles (KAYAK). The London Eye is 2 miles away, the British Museum 3 miles.
If you’re arriving by train, the closest mainline station is Vauxhall (about a 15-minute walk or one stop on the tube). No parking is advertised, so driving is not recommended.
Location on the map
Interactive map would appear here – showing the hotel at 9-13 Clapham Road, London SW9 0JD, with Oval tube station and Oval Cricket Ground highlighted.
Our pick: is it right for you?
The Maiden Oval Hotel works best for travellers who care more about price and transport links than luxury or consistency. The rock-bottom £38 rate and the two-minute walk to Oval station are genuine advantages. However, the sharp divide in guest reviews – with TripAdvisor painting a much bleaker picture than Expedia or Trip.com – means you should book with realistic expectations. If you’re willing to accept a budget room that may have maintenance quirks, and you plan to spend most of your time out exploring, this hotel can serve as a thrifty base. For longer stays or those sensitive to noise and humidity, the risk is higher.
Our advice: Read recent reviews on multiple platforms before booking, and consider a direct booking for the best rate transparency.
Is Oval a nice area in London?
The Oval neighbourhood, officially part of Lambeth, is a largely residential area with a strong transport spine. The Northern line provides fast connections to central London, and the area itself has a mix of Victorian terraces, small parks, and local shops. The presence of the Oval Cricket Ground brings a steady stream of visitors during the cricket season (April–September), and the US Embassy’s relocation to Nine Elms has spurred some regeneration nearby. Several budget hotels, including the Maiden Oval, are clustered along Clapham Road, catering mainly to tourists and cricket-goers. It’s not a tourist hotspot in the way Covent Garden is, but it offers everyday amenities – supermarkets, cafes, a few restaurants – and the tube puts the West End within 15 minutes. The trade-off is that the immediate street can feel somewhat busy and is not particularly picturesque.
What this means: Oval is a practical, well-connected base for visitors who prioritise budget access over atmosphere. It’s safe and functional, but don’t expect charming cobblestones or riverside walks right outside the door.
What is London’s most expensive hotel?
When talk turns to London’s priciest hotels, names like The Lanesborough, The Connaught, and The Savoy consistently lead the list. Nightly rates at these properties can exceed £1,000, sometimes reaching several thousand for suites. Why the huge gap between those and the Maiden Oval? Location, service, heritage, and amenities. A stay at The Lanesborough, for instance, includes butler service, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a spa – costs that are reflected in the tariff. The Maiden Oval, by contrast, offers no restaurant, no spa, and no butlers, but also no £1,000 bill. The contrast illustrates the vast spectrum of London accommodation: from £38 dorm-style rooms to extravagant luxury.
The pattern: If your budget is £38 per night, you’re operating at the opposite end of the scale from the city’s most expensive hotels, which suits many travellers perfectly.
Which hotel do celebs stay in London?
Celebrity favourites in London include The Dorchester, Claridge’s, The Ritz, and The Connaught – all located in Mayfair or Knightsbridge. Privacy features such as separate entrances, dedicated concierges, and secure floors make them attractive to high-profile guests. The Maiden Oval Hotel is not on any celebrity radar, nor does it claim to be. Its appeal is entirely different: it offers a bed for the night without the frills. For cricket fans, the proximity to Oval might occasionally attract a visiting player or commentator, but the property’s core clientele is budget-conscious tourists and business travellers.
The implication: If you’re hoping for star-spotting, you’ll need a much heftier budget. But if you want to sleep near the tube for less than £40, this hotel delivers.
What is the poshest hotel in England?
Contenders for England’s poshest hotel include Claridge’s (London), Chewton Glen (Hampshire), and The Ritz (London). Criteria typically involve history, service quality, architectural grandeur, and exclusivity. Claridge’s, for instance, has hosted royalty and heads of state since 1856. Chewton Glen offers a country-house experience with a Michelin-starred restaurant and a spa set in 130 acres. The Maiden Oval Hotel does not compete in this category – its star rating (three, as listed by Trip.com) and price point place it in the value segment. Understanding what “posh” means in England helps set realistic expectations: a £38 room in Lambeth will not offer chandeliers or personal butlers, but it also won’t require a mortgage.
The trade-off: The Maiden Oval trades any pretence of posh for pure price accessibility. That honesty can be refreshing.
What is the most romantic hotel in England?
Romantic hotels in England often appear in lists featuring Cliveden House, The Pig (various locations), and Lower Slaughter Manor. Features include four-poster beds, private dining, spa treatments, and countryside settings. The Maiden Oval Hotel is not a romantic destination – it’s a functional budget property in a London suburb. Couples seeking an affordable London base might still find it suitable if they plan to spend little time in the room, but those looking for a romantic retreat should look elsewhere. The hotel’s own description (“bright, clean and friendly”) underscores its no-nonsense ethos.
Why this matters: Knowing what the hotel is not is as important as knowing what it is. The Maiden Oval is practical, not romantic.
What is London’s most prestigious hotel?
Prestige in London hotels often gravitates toward The Savoy, The Connaught, and Claridge’s. They feature regularly in Condé Nast Traveler lists and have hosted everyone from Marilyn Monroe to royalty. The Savoy, opened in 1889, is widely considered the first luxury hotel in London. Prestige is measured by heritage, awards, and guest lists – all far from the Maiden Oval’s world. Yet prestige is not what every traveller needs. For someone attending a day at the Oval cricket ground or visiting London on a shoestring, a prestigious address would be a waste of money. The Maiden Oval’s prestige lies in its affordability and location.
The bottom line: Prestige and budget are opposite ends of the hotel spectrum. The Maiden Oval serves the budget end well.
Note on review scores
Across TripAdvisor (2.0/5), Expedia (7.6/10), and Trip.com (8.0/10), the Maiden Oval’s reputation varies dramatically. The TripAdvisor sample is small (12 reviews) but includes very detailed complaints about odour and damp. The OTA scores come from larger review pools and are more positive. Treat any single platform’s score as a partial view.
What to watch before booking
Multiple TripAdvisor reports mention a “sewage-like smell” and mould in bathrooms. If you have respiratory sensitivities or low tolerance for such issues, consider reading the most recent negative reviews carefully before committing.
“The Maiden Oval Hotel is a bright, clean and friendly hotel in central London.”
— Official hotel website (maiden-oval.london)
“Genuinely one of the worst hotels ever!”
— Kyana C., TripAdvisor reviewer (TripAdvisor)
“The place is close to the tube station, and it is very convenient.”
— Trip.com guest reviewer (Trip.com)
tripadvisor.com, expedia.de, kr.trip.com, ar.tripadvisor.com, ar.tripadvisor.com
Frequently asked questions about The Maiden Oval Hotel
What hotel did Kate Middleton stay in the night before her wedding?
She stayed at The Goring, a five-star hotel near Buckingham Palace. This is unrelated to The Maiden Oval Hotel.
Does The Maiden Oval Hotel have a restaurant?
No on-site restaurant is listed on the official website or on booking platforms. Nearby dining options are available on Clapham Road and around Oval station.
How far is The Maiden Oval Hotel from central London?
It is about 1.4 miles from the centre (per KAYAK), or roughly 2 miles from the London Eye. Oval tube station is a 2-minute walk, putting the West End within 15 minutes on the Northern line.
Are there any parking facilities at The Maiden Oval Hotel?
No parking information is provided by the hotel or any booking site. Public transport (tube, bus, train) is the recommended way to get there.
What is the cancellation policy at The Maiden Oval Hotel?
Cancellation policies vary by booking channel. Trip.com and Expedia each list their own terms; the official booking channel also has a policy. Always check the specific cancellation rules before confirming.
What is the oldest luxury hotel in London?
The Savoy, opened in 1889, is widely considered the first luxury hotel in London. It is not directly comparable to The Maiden Oval Hotel.