Booked this through Superbreaks at very short notice - two hundred pounds for two people for three nights. The hotel itself did not inspire confidence as my companion and I approached it, since half of it is currently covered in scaffolding - once you get into the lobby, though, it looks a lot better! Our room was on the ground floor, but there is a lift to other floors - useful for families with pushchairs or people who may be less mobile for any reason. Staff were all friendly, from the smiley South African lady who checked us in to the people working in the breakfast room - during our entire stay we saw none of the squabbling mentioned by other reviewers. Breakfast was great, with an excellent selection for a 'continental' that outdoes anything else I have come across - and waitress service, too! The location was unbeatable - step outside and you're looking at Hyde Park, the tube was five minutes away on foot, and there are some great restaurants within easy walking distance. (if you like Italian, check out La Rosa)

Now on to the niggles! There are no tea and coffee facilities in the rooms - admittedly, the hotel's website does not mention having them, but even the most basic B & B provides them these days. Sheets were superbly clean, not so the itchy blankets and slightly grubby bedcovers; duvets mean less work when changing beds, and are easier to launder too. The notice on the back of the door in our room referred to the bar being open between 6 and 11 p.m, which it wasn't; they also refer to the availability of a TV in the lounge, which there isn't - and I went in search of it when the snowy reception in our room was ruining "Britain's Got Talent" for my young travel companion!

I would stay there again, despite these problems, because I use a hotel as a place to sleep when I'm in London and that's all; the room was cosy, the breakfast was fantastic and the staff went out of their way to be helpful...and if they made the Averard as good as it probably was once, they'd be able to charge twice as much and I wouldn't be able to afford to stay there any longer!

We stayed 8 nights at the Averard. We needed to travel frugally, and the cost of the Averard was perfect for our budget. After reading all the reviews, we were apprehensive; however, the hotel provided far more than we expected from the reviews: The location is excellent! We found the staff for the most part very helpful and alwasys nice, the rooms were clean, and there was enough hot to very warm water for our needs. The hotel is past its prime; however, has great character. The breakfast was good- and we made it our goal to make the servers smile- we succeeded, and they ended up being very nice. I recommend this hotel for people who do not need to stay in a Marriott.

The rooms and facilities were much larger than those in other similarly-priced London hotels, although the water pressure was sorely lacking and there was an overall neglected look (chipped paint, ripped wallpaper, duct-taped carpeting on the stairs). They also somehow lost my reservation, although were able to come up with a room and then change me to another room the next day.

The breakfast, while perfectly fine, was served by staff that were rather gloomy and brusque. The front desk was staffed by a revolving number of people, some of which were helpful but many others of whom seemed to be annoyed to have to deal with you instead of watching YouTube videos.

For a few days, this is perfectly adequate. Just don't expect happy and attentive staff, as you are highly unlikely to get it.

Having read the other reviews I must say the location is a must but the hotel does need some TLC but otherwise my stay was ok and the breakfast was of good value even though not a full one it was enough! Bedding and towels clean and liked the old character feel to the room and reception etc.
Best of all the location and the value of the hotel was very good, have stayed not so good for the price.