Bottom line: this is a very old hotel in great need of refreshing. If you stay here and expect that, you'll do OK. The location at Holborn is A+; close to buses, underground, theatres, restaurants, shopping, and more. However (1) the room's carpets were filthy, (2) the toilet only randomly flushed, and the (3( thermostat took forever to work (heat or cold). The bathroom was another A+: great shower and hot water. The staff did their very best, but the age of the hotel eventually 'won out'.