The Royal National Hotel in Bloomsbury draws travelers largely for its location: a four-minute walk from Russell Square tube station and a few steps from the British Museum. This review pulls together verified guest scores from five major booking platforms, along with practical details on pricing, parking, and common complaints, to help you decide whether this budget hotel fits your London stay.

Last checked: 2026-08-13

Address: 38-51 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG · Check-in time: 14:00 · Parking: Limited, pre-booking required · Nearest tube: Russell Square (4 min walk) · Photos available: Yes (on Google and official site)

Royal National Hotel at a glance

1 TripAdvisor

• 3.3/5 from 14,881 reviews, ranked #288 of 1,209 hotels in London (TripAdvisor)

2 Booking.com

• 7.6/10 from 4,175 reviews – location rated 9.0 and staff 8.4 (Booking.com)

3 Expedia

• 8.0/10; recent verified guests praised cleanliness, staff, and value (Expedia)

Hotel specifications from verified sources

Detail	Value
Address	38-51 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG
Check-in time	14:00
Check-out time	11:00
Parking	Limited, pre-booking required
Nearest tube	Russell Square (4-minute walk)
Photos available	Yes (on Google and official site)

Is the Royal National Hotel Good?

Guest opinions split along a clear line: nearly everyone loves the location and value for central London, but room comfort attracts mixed reviews. On Booking.com, the hotel scores 7.6/10 with location rated 9.0 and staff 8.4. TripAdvisor, which uses a 5-point scale, gives it 3.3/5 — ranking it #288 out of 1,209 hotels in the city.

“Great location, room was clean and comfortable and very good value for central London.” – Verified guest review on Expedia

What do recent reviews say?

Expedia reviewers from February 2026 highlight cleanliness and helpful staff, while Hotels.com guests mention the excellent breakfast and free Wi‑Fi. A recurring theme across platforms is the hotel’s appeal for budget‑conscious travelers, solo tourists, and couples who prioritise central access over luxury touches.

What are the common pros and cons?

The bottom line: the hotel delivers what it promises – affordable, well‑located accommodation – but guests should go in expecting basic amenities and possible noise.

What Area of London Is the Royal National Hotel In?

The hotel sits in Bloomsbury, a district within the London Borough of Camden known for its garden squares, university buildings, and literary history. Its address is 38-51 Bedford Way, WC1H 0DG. Bloomsbury places guests within a 10‑minute walk of the British Museum, the University of London, and several leafy squares like Russell Square and Bloomsbury Square.

“The hotel’s location is excellent for sightseeing and public transport.” – Kayak guest review summary

What is Bloomsbury like?

Bloomsbury is a central but quieter pocket of London, popular with academics and tourists alike. The area is rich in cultural institutions: the British Museum, the Charles Dickens Museum, and the British Library are all within a 15‑ to 20‑minute walk. Restaurants and pubs along Theobald’s Road and Marchmont Street cater to a mixed crowd, and the neighbourhood feels safe even after dark.

How close is it to major attractions?

From the hotel, Covent Garden is about a 20‑minute walk or a short tube ride. The West End theatres, Oxford Street, and the River Thames are reachable within 15 minutes by tube. For travellers arriving at Heathrow, the Piccadilly Line runs directly to Russell Square, so no change is needed.

What Tube Station Is Near the Royal National Hotel?

Russell Square tube station (Piccadilly Line) is a four‑minute walk from the hotel. That line provides direct access to King’s Cross St Pancras (2 stops), Covent Garden (3 stops), and Heathrow Airport (about 50 minutes). Euston Square (Circle, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan lines) is about 8 minutes on foot, and King’s Cross St Pancras is a 12‑minute walk.

How far is Russell Square station?

From the hotel main entrance on Bedford Way, turn left onto Russell Square, and the station entrance is at the south‑east corner. Most guest reviews mention the walk as “very short” and “convenient”.

Which other tube lines are close?

Tottenham Court Road (Central and Northern lines) is a 15‑minute walk, giving guests access to the entire London Underground network. The bus stop right outside the hotel (routes 14, 38, 59, 68, 168) provides an alternative way to reach Oxford Street, Trafalgar Square, and the City.

What Are the Royal National Hotel’s Prices and Parking Options?

What is the typical price range?

According to Kayak, room rates typically fall between €65 and €174 per night. January is the cheapest month, while summer and Christmas period see the highest prices. Trip.com lists starting rates around US$90 per night. Prices fluctuate based on availability and advance booking, so checking several platforms is advisable.

Is parking available and how to book?

The hotel offers limited on‑site parking that must be reserved in advance. Because spaces are few, many guests recommend arriving by public transport instead. Alternative parking garages exist in the area but are usually expensive – the Brunswick Centre (5‑minute walk) charges around £35 per 24 hours.

Alternatives to the Royal National Hotel

Within the same affordable bracket in Bloomsbury, two well‑known neighbours are the Tavistock Hotel (Tavistock Square, about 5 minutes away) and the President Hotel (Russell Square, similar location). Both offer comparable three‑star accommodation, with the Tavistock claiming slightly higher guest‑review scores for quiet rooms.
The area also includes smaller B&Bs and chain hotels; checking current rates on a booking aggregator gives a complete picture.

For another budget London hotel review, see our Moxy London Stratford Review: Budget Style Near Olympic Park.

Additional sources

tripadvisor.com, reddit.com, kayak.com, tripadvisor.ie

For a comprehensive look at what to expect, our detailed review of the Royal National Hotel covers everything from room quality to transport links.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Royal National Hotel have parking?

Yes, on‑site parking is available but very limited and must be pre‑booked. Contact the hotel directly to reserve a space.

What is the check-in time?

Check‑in starts at 14:00 and check‑out is at 11:00, as stated on Hotels.com and Expedia.

What are the breakfast options?

Breakfast is served each morning and has been consistently praised by guests on Hotels.com and Booking.com for its variety and value. The hotel also has an on‑site cafe/pub serving lighter meals.

What is the exact address?

The address is 38-51 Bedford Way, London WC1H 0DG, in the Bloomsbury area.

How much does a room cost on average?

According to Kayak, typical nightly rates range from €65 to €174, with January being the cheapest month and summer the most expensive.

Is the hotel near public transport?

Yes. Russell Square tube station (Piccadilly Line) is a four‑minute walk, and bus stops right outside serve central routes.

The bottom line: Yes. Russell Square tube station (Piccadilly Line) is a four‑minute walk, and bus stops right outside serve central routes.