Mentone Hotel

First Impressions

The Mentone Hotel sits on one of those lovely Georgian crescents that makes London feel like a period drama set — you know, the kind with perfectly symmetrical white townhouses and actual garden squares in the middle. Cartwright Gardens is honestly one of Camden’s better-kept secrets, and this three-star spot takes full advantage of it. The building itself has that classic British charm without feeling stuffy, and at 8.2 on the ratings, it’s clearly doing something right.

Location & Getting Around

Here’s what I love about staying here — you’re literally a five-minute walk from Russell Square tube station, which connects you to basically everywhere you want to go in London. Camden’s energy is all around you, but Cartwright Gardens feels like this quiet pocket where you can actually get some sleep. The British Museum is close enough that you could pop over for lunch, and King’s Cross (hello, Harry Potter fans) is just up the road. It’s one of those locations where you feel like a local rather than a tourist stumbling around with a map.

The Room Experience

The rooms are what you’d expect from a well-run London townhouse hotel — not huge, but thoughtfully laid out so you’re not bumping into furniture every five seconds. Each room has that mix of traditional British decor with modern touches that actually work together. The beds are properly comfortable (which honestly isn’t always a given in this price range), and the windows face either the garden square or the quiet street, so you’re not dealing with London traffic noise all night.

Daily Rhythms

Breakfast happens in their ground-floor dining space, and it’s one of those full English affairs that sets you up for a day of walking around the city. The staff — and this might sound small, but it matters — actually seem to enjoy working there, which makes the whole experience feel more genuine. There’s parking available if you’re brave enough to drive in London, though honestly, with the tube connections here, I’m not sure why you’d want to.

Why Guests Love It

What keeps people coming back to the Mentone Hotel is that it gets the balance right between being distinctly London and being genuinely comfortable. You’re staying in a real neighborhood rather than some touristy bubble, but you’ve got all the conveniences you need within walking distance. It’s the kind of place where you can imagine actually living in London for a week, not just surviving it. For the price point and the location, it delivers exactly what it promises — which in London hospitality, is actually more rare than you’d think.