I booked the room based on the nice picture on their web page, and on Lonely Planet's nondescript characterization as "fairly typical in this price range."

The room was on the top floor. It was as ugly as anything you've ever seen and must have been entirely furnished with castaway junk. The matress sagged in the middle and flew up into the air at each end. The linens were filthy, and included other people's --- hairs as well as ashes. The walls and floors were stained and filthy, as well. And on the ledge outside the window were bunches and bunches of rotting pahrathas.

The desk clerk refunded my money - I had paid in cash. But in the end, they charged my credit card anyway, about 85 dollars. (I later learned from the credit card company - MBNA, one of the worst, by the way - that had I obtained a written receipt for the money, and then for the refund, they would have had to refund this charge).

DO NOT EVEN CONSIDER STAYING IN THIS FILTHY REVOLTING DUMP.

In the end I got very, very lucky, however. They had an opening at the Luna Simone Hotel, over by Victoria Station. It is clean, handsome, comfortable, and within walking distance of many important sights, internet cafe, tube stations, and the waterside. FANTASTIC.