HOTEL REVIEW: Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street, London

This famous address is close to so many of London's highlights.

I’m well-travelled and even with how many hotels I have checked into, it’s hard to quantify any random property based on its welcome alone.

But after a very long flight from Australia, the greeting I received from Ziban at the Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Street in London instantly made a great first impression and a great way to start my London trip.

The Radisson Blu Edwardian Bloomsbury Hotel is a five-minute walk from Tottenham Court Road tube station, so very easy to get to and from London Gatwick airport, which also has an express bus service into central London, taking only half an hour.

On arrival, prepare yourself for a truly memorable welcome.

Located just 100 metres from the British Museum and less than 10 minutes on foot from Covent Garden and Soho, the four-star Radisson Blu offers a gym, restaurant and free WiFi. To my great delight, Oxford Street shops are also only a short walk away and, in another direction, only 10 to the entertainment delights of the West End. Everything is literally right on your doorstep.

My room, whilst typically small as London hotels can be, is extremely well appointed, practical and comfortable. Amenities include a large Samsung flat-screen TV, a very inviting king bed with quality linen and pillows. There is also a decent size bathtub with a powerful shower overhead and Noble Isle toiletries.

The hotel's 175 rooms are compact but well appointed.

I’m only here for two nights but it’s definitely the sort of city hotel I could stay in for longer. The 24-hour gym is impressive with plenty of cardio and weight machines and the Bloomsbury Kitchen Restaurant has one of the best London breakfasts I’ve ever had!

For dinner, there’s an exquisite selection of contemporary Mediterranean and Japanese small plates, complemented by wines, sake and signature cocktails. If you wish to eat in, it’s open for dinner and drinks from Thursday to Saturday.

The homely lobby is packed with British charm.

Three days before arrival, you will receive an SMS or email where you can choose your specific room from a virtual floor plan, as well as update your details, pay for your room (if you haven’t already) and check-in online.

Once checked in, Edward - the hotel’s virtual host - will introduce himself to you. This award-winning Edward guest app is the perfect tool to stay contactless, featuring room service orders, taxi bookings, restaurant reservations and more.

This place ticks a lot of boxes if you want a smart centrally located, affordable and ultra friendly hotel to stay when exploring London’s highlights. Tell Ziban hi from me!!