St Giles London — A St Giles Hotel
by the TopOfHotel team
St Giles London is a huge 3-star that trades polish for location — every Tube line you want, the British Museum on your doorstep, all on a budget.
St Giles London is a huge 3-star that trades polish for location — every Tube line you want, the British Museum on your doorstep, all on a budget.
In-Depth Review
Rooms and decor
The 670 rooms are simple and bright, furnished to a dependable 3-star standard with comfortable beds and air-con and heating that both do their job. Wi-Fi is free, and that is roughly the extent of the frills — this is a functional room, not a design statement. The honest caveat reviewers repeat is condition: some rooms have not been refurbished yet, so it is worth asking for an updated one when you book. Bathrooms are shower-only in most cases, and the walls between rooms are on the thin side, which is why a higher floor is the request to make for a quieter night.
Food and amenities
The building keeps an onsite bistro and bar for a drink or a casual meal without going out, plus a gym and a 24-hour front desk that earns its keep for late arrivals. Breakfast is charged separately rather than baked into the rate, and given where you are, many guests skip it — there is a Pret and a Starbucks on the corner and a wall of independent cafes a few minutes into Bloomsbury. The surrounding streets serve food from just about everywhere within a short walk, so you are never short of options for lunch or dinner.
Location and getting there
This is what you are paying for. Tottenham Court Road Tube is a 3-minute walk, putting the Central and Northern lines, plus the Elizabeth line, at the door — Oxford Circus is two stops west and King's Cross two stops north, with Goodge Street and Holborn both an easy walk. On foot the British Museum is about 5 minutes, Soho and Covent Garden roughly 10 minutes, and Oxford Street a short stroll the other way. For a budget hotel, this is a central position that pricier places on this list struggle to beat.
Things to know before booking
Three honest flags. Rooms are plain and a number still await a refurb, so request an updated room rather than leaving it to chance. Soundproofing is thin and most bathrooms are shower-only, which makes a higher, quieter floor the smart ask. And at 670 rooms this is a large, high-traffic hotel — the lobby gets crowded at check-in and check-out, so leave a little extra time around arrival and departure.
Our take
St Giles London is the clearest budget play on this list. For a rate opening near $120, you get a genuinely central Bloomsbury address three minutes from Tottenham Court Road and five from the British Museum, with the whole West End on foot. It is best for solo travelers and friend groups counting their pounds, and for larger families who need several rooms in one place and will not mind plain decor. Accept the simple rooms and the busy, hotel-of-670 feel, and the location at this price is hard to argue with.
Score Breakdown
Assessed by our editorial team from data and real guest reviews
The Honest Verdict — pros & what to know
- It is the best value among central London 3-star options, with rates opening near $120 a night in a Bloomsbury postcode where most hotels charge well over double.
- Tottenham Court Road Tube is a 3-minute walk, putting the Central and Northern lines, plus the Elizabeth line, right at the door — Oxford Circus is two stops and King's Cross two stops the other way.
- The British Museum is about 5 minutes on foot, with Soho and Covent Garden roughly 10 minutes and Oxford Street a short walk away, so the West End is walkable rather than another fare.
- With 670 rooms it is one of the largest hotels on this list, which means availability even during peak weeks and an easy fix for friend groups or families needing several rooms together.
- Rooms come with comfortable beds, working air-con and heating, and free Wi-Fi, and the building keeps an onsite bistro, bar, gym and a 24-hour front desk for late arrivals off the Eurostar or a long-haul flight.
- Rooms are plainly furnished to a budget standard with no luxury touches, and reviewers note that some have not been refreshed yet — ask for a refurbished room when you book.
- Soundproofing between rooms is thin and most bathrooms are shower-only, so request a higher floor for a quieter night and do not count on a bathtub.
- At 670 rooms this is a large, busy hotel, and the lobby can get crowded and slow at check-in and check-out — build in a little extra time around arrival and departure.
Who It’s For
Match Score by travel style
Amenities
Location & Nearby Spots
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Insider Tips
- When booking, ask specifically for a refurbished, higher-floor room — it is the single biggest lever on room quality and noise here.
- Skip the hotel breakfast charge and grab a quick one at the Pret or Starbucks on the corner, or walk five minutes into Bloomsbury for an independent cafe.
- Walk the 5 minutes to the British Museum and arrive close to its 10am opening — entry is free and the Great Court is far quieter before the midday crowds.