Although I am still traveling I wanted to provide anyone who is considering this hotel with a fair warning. I did not receive such and am compelled to make sure that the truth be known. This hotel made the Rick Steve's list and I can not imagine how. It makes me wonder if Rick is being paid by the hotels to make recommendations. We reserved a triple room that literally the beds extended from wall to wall and you had to walk sideways to get to the very small area where you had to pack suitcases on top of one another so they would fit. When we walked in we smelled a peculiar odor and did not immediately identify. Having just flown all night we each wanted a shower and to take a walk through London. The bathroom was so small you could sit on the toilet and reach the shower. The shower kept filling up with water as the drain did not work and we had to lather, turn the water off and wait for it to drain, then rinse, turn the water off, ad infinity... The next day we had no hot water at all!!! I went to speak to the inn keeper and she said that the hot water is cut off at 11am and she would turn on but it takes 2 hrs to heat up. We went without showering. I also informed her at that time that we could not get the shower to drain, she said it was good to know these things and she would call a plumber. I also informed her that we could not use the lamp on the nightsdtand because we realized that the electrical outlet was busted to pieces and was a fire hazard. She tried to give me an extension cord so we could use the single outlet that appeared intact. That evening I went to the small general area in the hotel so I could read while my husband and son watched tv. Not to my surprise the lamps did not work so I had to bring the lamp from my room to the general area so I could read. The final day, we got up early, took showers, and I accidently flooded the bathroom. I thought I had determined how much water I could have floating in the bottom of the shower and still open the door and I misjudged. Some water came out and I had to clean everything up with towels. The inn keeper was very upset with me. Lastly, my son and I are now very sick as we continue our journeys through Europe. We figured out what the smell probably was: MOLD. STAY AWAY!!!!!!

Our first conversation with Blades Hotel was via email back in Australia and from the first response we knew that we'd be made welcome. We told Kevin we'd be there for one night and he let us know what was close by and what not to miss. Very helpful! The room itself was adequete and clean (but almost in need of a refurbishment). Would only recommened staying in the top floors to those who won't be worried about carting their luggage up the many stairs. We stayed in the top floor and enjoyed being away from the street noise and also had a better viewpoint over the street. Breakfast the next morning was basic but enough to keep you full till lunch, plus it was prepared entirely by Kevin and his staff. All the attention shown by the staff combined with the close proximity to the tube station means we would recommend this to anyone after a budget room that is clean and close to the major attractions (we walked for 10 hours and saw Green Park, Hyde Park, Oxford Street, National Museum, Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace tour, Westminster Abbey, Westminster Cathedral, Houses of Parliament/Big Ben and a London Eye trip. All without stepping onto a bus or taxi!

Thanks for the great stay,
Cameron and Jodie,
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Our stay at the Blades was very good, and also a very good value. It was everything we were hoping for it to be, and for a decent price. It's located on pretty Belgrave Road just a few steps from the Pimlico tube station, and a bit further the other direction from Victoria Station. The room and bathroom, while not oversized, were comfortable and clean. You had to ring for staff and there was no elevator, but neither of those issues were a problem for us.

Easy to find hotel with excellent transport links. A safe neighbourhood, but the hotel itself is quite secure (ring the doorbell to enter unless you have the key, and staff letting you in does expect a reason for your visit first). The staff (mother and daughter?) is friendly and modest, the room had beautiful bedsheets and was clean throughout. Nice and high ceilings as well.
Same thing for the bathroom: small, but clean. No bugs, no funny smells, good mattress. A quiet neighbourhood, so potentially a good night sleep but I slept close to the radiator which made funny ticking noises as it heated up and cooled down again.

Breakfast was very basic, so don't raise your expectations. Toast and jams, cereals, a can of milk and one of orange juice (not fresh though). No buns or anything. Coffee was lukewarm, unless you go really early in the morning.

But again, the service is honest and decent. The lightbulb in my table lamp broke and after reporting it, it was replaced immediately.