I spent a lot of time looking at London lodgings, and Avoca House Hotel was the best accommodations in central London (zone 2) near two tube stations and two tube lines for around 70 pounds for a double. The two nearby stations and two lines were really helpful because of the tube upgrades for the Olympics that’s causing a lot of tube closures.

The rooms I stayed in (I stayed there on two occasions) are much larger than comparably priced rooms. Other hotels had claustrophobically small rooms where one would be tripping over one’s luggage, but Avoca House Hotel had rooms that were big enough for two armchairs and a table as well as a desk.

The common areas are worn, but the rooms are pleasantly furnished, quiet and had nice views. The showers worked fine, although if the shower head is adjusted up or down, the shower hose may get a kink that is easily fixed. My back is fussy, but turning the mattress seemed to solve the problem. My partner was fine in the beds. The rooms were nicely heated with radiators so I could open the windows and still be warm. The radiators were also useful for drying my laundry. The staff was eager to help and very nice. They left the kitchen and dining room open, so we used the refrigerator with their permission and used the dining room to hang out in when one of us was sleeping or to microwave our leftovers.

The neighborhood is lovely with other buildings of the same type as the hotel or red brick amongst leafy trees. Charming Belsize Village is an easy walk away. Finchley Road is more utilitarian, but is two blocks away with great Indian and Turkish restaurants, supermarket, Internet café, etc. I recommend the vegetable biriyani for dinner at Doon Valley.