Between the Beatles-era buzz of the 1960s and today’s need for reliable, affordable central London accommodation, the President Hotel on Guilford Street has hosted generations of travellers. This review triangulates guest ratings from multiple platforms, official property details, and tourism board listings to give you a grounded picture of what staying here really means in 2026.

Last checked: 2026-07-28

Property name: President Hotel · Location: Bloomsbury, London · Star rating: 3-star · Key guest praise: Clean rooms, comfortable beds, friendly staff, good breakfast buffet · Review rating (Trivago): 7.8 / 10 – Good · Known for: Proximity to Beatles landmarks; solid mid-range option in central London

Snapshot: President Hotel London

1 Location & address

• 56–60 Guilford Street, Russell Square, London WC1N 1DB (TripAdvisor)

2 Star rating & check-in/out

• 3-star hotel; check-in 14:00, check-out 11:00 (Booking.com)

3 Breakfast guest score

• Around 8.0–8.1 / 10 on Booking.com for breakfast quality and variety (Booking.com)

4 Nearest tube & walking distance

• Russell Square station (Piccadilly line) approx. 2-minute walk; British Museum 5-minute walk (British Airways)

Key facts at a glance

Attribute	Detail
Property name	President Hotel
Location	Bloomsbury, London
Star rating	3-star
Key guest praise	Clean rooms, comfortable beds, friendly staff, good breakfast buffet
Review rating (Trivago)	7.8 / 10 – Good
Known for	Proximity to Beatles landmarks; solid mid-range option in central London

Guest Reviews: What Do Visitors Say About the President Hotel?

Across platforms, the majority of guests agree on a few consistent themes. Booking.com reviewers rate the hotel’s cleanliness and staff friendliness positively, with an overall score that places it above average for a London 3-star. TripAdvisor ranks it around #268 of 1,278 hotels in London, consistent with its value-focused positioning.

Cleanliness and comfort

Multiple reviewers describe rooms as “clean” and “comfortable.” Kayak’s meta-summary notes that guests consistently highlight the tidy condition of the rooms. However, the same source flags that some rooms are small and the decor can feel dated. The trade-off is clear: you get a clean, functional room rather than a spacious or stylish one.

Staff and service

Guest comments on Booking.com frequently mention friendly and attentive staff. A reviewer on TripAdvisor wrote that the “staff were helpful and accommodating.” This pattern appears in at least three independent reviews, so the generalization holds.

Breakfast buffet

Breakfast is a highlight for many. Hotels.com notes that guests describe it as “excellent, varied and plentiful,” with hot buffet options. The official property site confirms full English/Irish, vegetarian, and continental choices. A small number of TripAdvisor reviewers mention that the hot food can be warm rather than piping hot, but the overall score remains around 8.0–8.1 on Booking.com.

The bottom line: Guests consistently praise cleanliness, staff, and breakfast, while noting that room size and decor fall short of luxury expectations.

How Much Does a Night at the President Hotel Cost?

Prices vary by season and room type, but VisitLondon lists starting rates from around £67 for singles and £89 for doubles with ensuite bathrooms. TripAdvisor shows a price band of approximately £66–£124 per night, depending on the booking date. For a 3-star property in Zone 1, this is competitive.

Value for money

Multiple sources, including Reserving.com and Kayak, describe the hotel as good value for money, especially when factoring in the included breakfast and the prime location. The trade-off is that you pay a lower price for smaller rooms and no air conditioning. Our analysis: if location and breakfast matter more than spacious rooms, this hotel delivers solid value.

Does the President Hotel Have Air Conditioning?

According to Kayak’s meta-review summary, the hotel does not have air conditioning in standard rooms. Guest reviews on TripAdvisor and Booking.com occasionally mention that the rooms can get warm during summer heatwaves. The property website does not list air conditioning as an amenity. For travellers visiting in cooler months, this is rarely a problem; for summer stays, consider requesting a fan or a room on a higher floor.

The catch: No air conditioning is a known limitation. Plan accordingly if you’re booking for a hot week in London.

The Beatles in London: Did the Beatles Stay at the President Hotel?

There is no verified evidence that the Beatles ever stayed at the President Hotel. The question arises because the hotel is located in Bloomsbury, a short walk from Beatles-related landmarks such as the EMI Studios on Abbey Road (a short tube ride away) and the former site of the Indica Gallery. The hotel’s 1960s-era architecture and its proximity to the West End where the Beatles performed contribute to the nostalgic association. But the claim remains unconfirmed. For dedicated fans, the hotel does serve as a practical base for a Beatles-themed London itinerary.

Beatles landmarks near the President Hotel

• Abbey Road Studios – approx. 25 minutes by tube (Jubilee line to St John’s Wood)
• The Beatles’ first London flat at 57 Green Street, Mayfair – about 20 minutes by tube
• Indica Gallery (now a shop) – 15-minute walk from the hotel

Themed tours and places to visit

Several guided Beatles walking tours depart from the Russell Square area. The British Museum is next door, but for Beatles-specific memorabilia, the London Beatles Store in Covent Garden is a 15-minute walk.

Area Guide: Is Bloomsbury a Safe Part of London to Stay In?

Bloomsbury is widely considered a safe neighbourhood. Trivago rates the location 9.2/10 for safety, and the area is busy with students, tourists, and professionals. The nightlife rating is 6.6/10, reflecting a quieter evening scene compared to Soho or Shoreditch. The hotel is within walking distance of Russell Square, a well-lit public space.

Neighbourhood character

Bloomsbury is known for its garden squares, the British Museum, and university buildings. It’s a calm, cultured area that feels safe even late at night. The British Airways partner page notes that the hotel is “overlooking Russell Square,” adding to the sense of openness.

Nightlife and transport

Russell Square Underground station (Piccadilly line) is a 2-minute walk, giving direct access to Heathrow and the West End. Several bus routes also serve the area. For nightlife, you’ll likely need to travel to Covent Garden or Soho, which are 20–30 minutes on foot or 10 minutes by tube.

Why this matters: Bloomsbury offers a safe, central base for travellers who prioritise quiet evenings and easy daytime access to attractions.

Pricing Band Block

Based on data from VisitLondon and TripAdvisor, typical nightly rates (2026) fall into these bands:

• Single room: from £67
• Double room: from £89
• Standard double (TripAdvisor band): £66–£124

These are starting prices; premium rooms or peak-season dates can be higher. The hotel is considered mid-range for central London.

Location and Getting There

The President Hotel sits at 56–60 Guilford Street, Bloomsbury. British Airways confirms the 2-minute walk to Russell Square tube station, which is on the Piccadilly line – direct from Heathrow Airport (about 45 minutes). The British Museum is a 5-minute walk. Oxford Street, Covent Garden, and the West End are within 15–20 minutes on foot.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional location – 2 minutes from Russell Square tube, 5 minutes from British Museum
• Good breakfast buffet, rated 8.0–8.1/10 on Booking.com
• Friendly and helpful staff consistently mentioned
• Good value for money in central London

Cons

• Rooms can be small and decor dated
• No air conditioning in standard rooms
• Nightlife quieter than other areas (may be a pro for some)
• Breakfast hot food sometimes warm rather than hot

Best For Segments

• Couples: Good for a short city break if you don’t need a large room.
• Families: Family rooms available; breakfast can fuel a day of sightseeing.
• Budget travellers: One of the more affordable Zone 1 options with a decent breakfast.
• Beatles enthusiasts: Convenient base for exploring 1960s London landmarks.

Alternatives in the Area

If the President Hotel doesn’t suit you, consider these nearby options (all within Bloomsbury):

• City London Hotel Review – similar price bracket, slightly different location.
• Apex London Wall Hotel vs Clayton – higher-rated 4-star options with air conditioning, but higher prices.

For a full list of nearby hotels, see our City London Hotel Review and Apex London Wall Hotel vs Clayton guides.

Sample Itinerary: A Beatles Day in London

Start your morning at the President Hotel with the full English breakfast. Walk to Russell Square tube (2 min) and take the Piccadilly line to St John’s Wood. Visit Abbey Road Studios and cross the famous zebra crossing. Return to the West End, walk to the Indica Gallery site (15 min from hotel). After lunch, explore the Beatles Store in Covent Garden. End the evening with a stroll through Bloomsbury’s garden squares.

Sources Cited

• Booking.com – President Hotel listing
• British Airways Holidays – President Hotel page
• VisitLondon – President Hotel listing
• Hotels.com – President Hotel page
• TripAdvisor – President Hotel reviews
• Kayak – President Hotel review summary
• Official property website
• Reserving.com – aggregation

““The president’s location is unbeatable, within walking distance from the british museum, oxford street and convent garde.””

– Unnamed guest reviewer, Hotel guest on Reserving.com

““Guests overwhelmingly praised the hotel’s central location, making it easy to access public transportation, attractions, and local amenities.””

– Kayak meta-review summary, Editorial summary on Kayak

For Italian readers, detailed feedback is available in the President Hotel Londra recensioni guide, which covers prices and services in depth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hotel Presidential a 5 star hotel?

No. The President Hotel London is a 3-star hotel, as confirmed by the official website and all major booking platforms.

What hotel did Kate Middleton stay in the night before her wedding?

That is unrelated to the President Hotel. The question is outside the scope of this review.

What are the check-in and check-out times at President Hotel?

Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is until 11:00, as stated on Booking.com.

What is the breakfast score at President Hotel?

The breakfast is rated around 8.0–8.1 out of 10 on Booking.com, based on guest reviews.

How to get to President Hotel from Heathrow Airport?

Take the Piccadilly line from Heathrow to Russell Square station, which is a 2-minute walk from the hotel. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

The bottom line: Take the Piccadilly line from Heathrow to Russell Square station, which is a 2-minute walk from the hotel. The journey takes about 45 minutes.