Description: The Hotel Russell London enjoys a location
on the north east edge of central London within a short stroll of London's west
end. Right on Russell Square which is a busy gyratory system for traffic
entering central London. The great thing about this area is that its just
outside the most expensive parts of the capital but still within easy reach of
the best tourist areas such as Holborn,
Covent Garden and
Soho. Public transport links
are excellent with a tube station right on the square and with buses and taxis
always passing through this district. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and
amenities locally notably in Bloomsbury Square (Brunswick Centre) and along
Southampton Row. Being on the east side of centre means the hotel is convenient
for the City of London which is just the other side of Holborn. Nearest places
of interest include
British Museum
(0.3 miles),
Dickens
House (0.4 miles),
Petrie Egyptian Archaeology (0.4 miles), British Library (0.4 miles),
Pollocks Toy Museum (0.5 miles),
Sir John
Soames Museum (0.5 miles), Ben Uri Art Society and London Jewish Museum of
Art (0.6 miles), Curzon Soho Arthouse Cinema (0.7 miles) and the
London
Transport Museum (0.7 miles).
One of
London's oldest
hotels.
The Hotel Russell is a French Chateau styled building first opened
in 1898. Notable as being the first Victorian structure built in the area of
Bloomsbury (others were Georgian) and at the time was double the size of the
surrounding buildings. The hotel was the work of architect Charles Fitzroy Doll.
The original lobby featured a magnificent mosaic floor which was covered up
after being damaged during the second world war, this has now been fully
restored. The Interiors feature include Sicilian marble columns, high ceilings,
large chandeliers, oak panelling and the sweeping grand marble staircase.
Hotel offers a wide range of room types with the style in the standard rooms
being traditional. All rooms are en suite and air-conditioned. Bedrooms
amenities include direct dial telephones, tea and coffee making facilities,
desk, ironing facilities, safety deposit box, trouser press, hairdryer and
satellite television, pay-per-view movies and playstation.
Room service available. Floors have lift access.
Onsite the Hotel Russell features a Restaurant and two bars. The "Virginia
Woolf", offers a selection of snacks throughout the day and the "Fitzroy Doll"
offers traditional style dining in an airy environment with period features.
The Benjamin's Bar shows sports events on its large screen TV along with a range
of beers. The Kings Bar has a restored Victorian setting. Here along with the
drinks and cocktails the bar also serves traditional afternoon tea, light snacks
and sandwiches.
Extensive conference and banqueting facilities also available at the Hotel
Russell with room for up to 450 guests. There is a dedicated business centre
called 'meetings' that has facilities for anything form 2 to 90 guests.
The reception is 24 hours. Hotel Russell has WiFi internet access. Luggage storage
facilities.
This is an all no-smoking hotel.
Room Numbers: 373
Check-in: 14.00 (2 pm)
Check-out: 12.00 noon
Comment: Originally built
in 1898.
The Russell hotel is part of the Principal Hotels chain which was bought by Permira
(an equity firm) from Royal Bank of Scotland in September 2006. The chain was
then sold to Alternative Asset Investment Management (AAIM) in December 2006 in
a sale and lease back arrangement. Principal Hayley Hotel group (which was
backed by Permira now backed by Lloyds Banking Group) re-purchased the hotel in
a deal involving 6 hotels in January 2012. The 6 hotels were the Hotel Russell, the George in Edinburgh, the Leeds Metropole, the Royal York, the Palace Manchester and
the Selsdon Park in croydon and were purchased for £200 million
pounds.
Underwent a £12 million refurbishment in 2004/2005.
Was called the Le Meridien Russell Hotel until 2003.
Trivia:
Judy Garland sang live for her fan club at the Russell Hotel 29th November 1964.
0.16 miles