Three visits to London, three different hotels. Each of these London hotels is in a different area of central London, giving them each a unique set of pluses and minuses. All three hotels were absolutely charming, very "English," which I'm assuming is a treat for the eye that most USA tourists thoroughly enjoy. Each had pleasant, helpful staff, good mattresses, nice baths, all the basic amenities present at each and every one. But the hotels' unique locations and varied sizes -- one was large, one quite small. one 'in between' -- offers guests a different way to see London's sights and sounds. I'd return to each of these hotels with enthusiasm and pleasure if I could return to London again....but by the time you've finished reading, I think you'll see that one is truly the top of my favorites.

The three hotels are

Charing Cross, 239 rooms

The Rubens at the Palace, 143 basic rooms plus suites

The Montague on the Gardens, 88 basic rooms, plus suites

As stated above, each of these three hotels is a definite winner, but as each is in a different part of London, each is more convenient to certain sites. Please note though that all three are in 'central London.' one could easily walk to and from one to the other in 30 minutes time and see great London sights between each.

Charing Cross is the closest to the Thames for a river cruise, the London Eye, Trafalgar Square, the Strand's theaters (London's equivalent to the theaters on Broadway), and Covent Garden area. It's changed owners since I was there, with room remodels, so for the most part my photos no longer accurate.

If it's Buckingham Palace and all that goes with it that you crave having close by, The Rubens is the hotel for you! It's just across the street (Hello?! It's address is 39 Buckingham Palace Road ! ! ) from the Palace, the Royal Mews, the Queen's Gallery. Extremely convenient for watching Crossing of the Guards, walking to Picadilly, St. James, and even a stroll through some of London's 'best' residential areas over to Harrods and the Victoria & Albert Museum or up to Kensington Palace (former home of Princess Diana with a moving exhibit of her life).

The Montague is technically the farthest out from the 'must-see' sites but it is directly across the street from the British Museum. And, while the 'farthest out,' it's still only a 20 minute walk to Covent Garden, The Strand, and another 10 minutes over to Trafalgar Square. BUT, conveniently Russell Square's transit station just a short block or so from Montague's front door. It's also the closest to St. Pancras Station, for those traveling to or from Europe.

For all that London's mass transit (The Tube) is extremely easy to use, when I'm in London I enjoy being above ground and taking in all the sights of this great city with every step I take. So my recommendation...wear comfortable shoes, take your time, take a breath, relax, stroll and enjoy! But, if taking the tube, it's right next door to Charing Cross hotel, don't even need to cross a street! And one block away, the Victoria Station, from Rubens Hotel.

On the other hand, if taking a personal sightseeing trip (not guided in a large motorcoach) to Windsor Castle or Bath or some such outlying area, getting in and out of the stations, not for in-town Tube transit, but for the trains to out-of-town spots is necessary. The Rubens just steps away from Victoria station.

The first thing you might notice from these photographs is that none of them are NEW hotels...London is an old, old town, and the majority of the city's buildings are as well. But, if you need the sense of 'new' when you visit London...there are a few here and there. We went into one by Picadilly for lunch one day, and another new one near Victoria Station just to see what 'new' felt like in London. Honestly, we might just as well have been in Madison, Wisconsin, or Hartford, Connecticut. No charm, no instant sense of being in London...of feeling quite British for a few days. These new places, not my cup of tea at all. (Hummm, I might get more English by the minute writing this review!)

BUT, having said that these aren't new hotels, does not mean that they have ancient plumbing or icky baths...all three had beautiful baths...very modern, clean, lots of good water pressure at each one. So, no worries there.

The age of the buildings can mean small rooms...has that been said before about room sizes throughout Europe? Yes, I think so! If you want a large room, you'll need to go no farther than the nearest Embassy Suites in whatever USA city you're living in. If you want the experience of a wonderful visit to one of the planet's greatest locations...either shell out the dough for a truly marvelous room, or quit complaining that the basic room sizes are all less than 220 square feet. Okay? Lecture over....Now, on to these wonderful hotels!

Oh! Before going any further...the sizes of these hotels will affect, for good or bad, certain elements of each hotel. So, keep in mind, right up front that the size of these hotels are quite different. The Rubens, 143 rooms. The Montague, 88 rooms. Charing Cross, 239 rooms.

My stay at the Rubens was for five days, March, 2008. Although I forgot to take a photo of my specific rooms...they were adorable! (My stay was divided into two different visits to the Rubens, but each room was just as 'tricked out' in decor as this one is...loved them both!) My first room in the vivid yellow/cheery red look shown here, my second room was wood paneled, navy/hunter green plaid military decor. Check out their website to see more photos...there's not a bum in the bunch! Some just closer to elevator, and some a bit more of a stroll through winding hallway. But the room's decors are precisely one reason I'm extolling the virtues of The Rubens Hotel!

http://www.rubenshotel.com/ This website shows just exactly how attractive and 'picturesque' feels, from the first step through the door.

Below, a room at the Montague...photo quality not as good as the photo of Rubens room above, but these rooms were just as attractive as the Rubens...maybe not quite so 'over the top' re: decor touches throughout. BUT, for picturesque decor...the Montague's public areas are wonderful, the lounge for one's morning newspaper and afternoon tea...as darlingly victorian as can be; a great way to start a London day. And at the end of the day there's the Montague's small bar, all leather sofas and military artifacts, plaid walls and equestrian whatnots. Full restaurant service available here as well. My stay at the Montague was for 5 days in September, 2007.

http://www.montaguehotel.com/ Their photos give a much better portrayal of how lovely and charming this hotel is from top to bottom.

My stay at Charing Cross was for a week in January, 2006. Since that visit, the rooms have been updated with modern furnishings and each has a flat screen TV. But, if it's TV you're wanting, this hotel's location may not be for you, the spot is so close to so much...you'll want nothing more than to get out the door and see the sights! http://www.guoman.com/charing-cross/ gives a full overview of the hotel.

The little scene at right is from the lounge at the Palace Lounge area of the Rubens Hotel. Large street windows make this a fun place anytime of day or evening to watch all the people and 'doin's' out on Buckingham Palace Road. Since the Rubens is directly across the entrance from the Royal Mews, who knows when you'll see a grand carriage or queen's automobiles (and they are some automobiles) go through the gates! The lounge also has live piano music most evenings, so it's a great spot for after a full day of sightseeing to really relax with stepping out the door one bit. No taxi, no crowds, no more walking...just very pleasant atmosphere whether for a hot chocolate, a hot tea or an Irish Coffee! Both here in the lounge and in the adjacent Cavalry Bar, The tablecloths go out and the tea services are at the ready for afternoon tea. It's quite a popular spot for locals who come in from the suburbs to do a bit of sightseeing or catch a matinee at the nearby Victoria Theater. You'll see quite an array of British women in their tweeds and cardigans...quite 21st Century updates of the stereotypical Miss Marple type.

The restaurants and bar/lounge area at Charing Cross are up on the second floor (they call it the first floor), looking out over the street. Honestly, the staff was nice when we were there, but the food service is NOT why one stays at Charing Cross. There's soooo much just right out the door, eat somewhere else! On a beautiful day or a lovely night, walk over to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square (London's equivalent to Paris' Louvre with FREE admission....they have a wonderful modern decor restaurant on the top floor with great views to London Eye, Parliament, etc.) One reason this so special, in addition to lovely decor and great gourmet 'cuisine,' is the view. Few sky-top view restaurants in London and this a lovely one, no matter where you're staying. (Be warned...although not hugely expensive by gourmet standards, they have 'gourmet service'...don't be in a hurry! Relax, savor the moment, enjoy!)

OR for later at night, and just around the corner, for a truly pub-English atmosphere, try the Princess of Wales Pub right around the corner. Not the greatest food in the world, but what pub actually famous for its food? Good selection of beers though. Lots of commuters at evening rush hour since so close to Charing Cross transit station, but quieter a bit later at night after rush hour over. NOTE: The Princess of Wales on the Sign is NOT Princess Diana, but a young Queen Elizabeth when she was Princess of Wales.

As said earlier in this hub, each of them is closer to some sites more than others. BUT each hotel has wonderful concierge services to help assist with guided tours that take you to see lots of sights in a day. Although, of the three, the Charing Cross staff was the least helpful. But that was some time ago, and they have new owners. Most certainly though, the concierge staffers at the Montague and the Rubens are longtime hotel professionals who know their city inside and out, and have tons of helpful advice. The younger crew at Charing kept looking up (the simplest) information in big notebooks. Well! I could do that!

So, to name just one of these three wonderful hotels....I'd pick The Rubens At The Palace. Its incredible location, its oh-so-British decor, its wide array of food and beverage services -- including a very modern bistro next door and its afternoon tea, its live piano in the evening for pleasant entertainment that can take your mind off how much your feet hurt from sightseeing, its wonderful staff, ... why you could never leave the place and feel your plane fare to London well spent.

For some great photos of London, with good explanations too, visit this National Geographic site here .

"By seeing London, I have seen as much of life as the world can show." Samuel Johnson, writer, 1709-1784

Oh...an entertainment note! For those readers that have more energy after a hard day of sightseeing...there are several hot, fun, late night clubs near Victoria Station, near Rubens Hotel....and near the Charing Cross Hotel are lots of late night restaurants and pubs and clubs all around the theaters on the Strand and up by Covent Garden area too.

For more about the sights of London, check out my three days in London with step by step, sight by sight itineraries...starting here http://hubpages.com/hub/London-Three-great-days-Day-One Enjoy!

Stayed in London? Share your hotel experience with a comment below!