Travelodge London Cricklewood — Hotel in London

First time using a Travelodge, I usually use Premier Inn but most were fully booked due to the marathon. I was initially excited about trying somewhere new as we knew Travelodge and Premier Inn are in direct competition.

The website says it’s a completely new design and being refurbished, however I found the rooms to be basic and untidy we found food and drink stains over the walls, window ledges, night stand and shower room. There was no bin bag in the waste bin and the whole room was in dryer need of a make over to bring it into the 21st century.

The room was very hot at night as they have no air conditioning. You could open a window but be prepared to have a awful nights sleep listening to cars and people shouting most the night. They say all mod-cons but the TV is embarrassingly small and as previously mentioned the rooms have no air conditioning.

Inside there is a cafe/ bar area but it closes after breakfast and doesn’t open again until 5pm. The area reminds me of a 90s style working men’s clubs vibe with miss-matched tables and chairs dotted around. We didn’t try the food so cannot comment on it.

The website says it’s close to central London. Although you have to either walk a good mile to the nearest underground or get a bus. We timed it to be around 40 minutes to Westminster. The car park is ran and managed by Horizon. The website says it’s £8 per night max 3 nights. I didn’t try the car park as the website has some negative stars with concerns of car safety. Instead I parked at the Westfield centre in Shepherds Bush for £15 a night. It’s a bit more expensive but very safe and can leave it for up to 7 days which is better than this car park.

We rarely saw the staff as the front desk was mostly unmanned. Most of the time the place reminded me of a Hostel than a hotel.

Please be aware the website says they do not offer a baggage holding area so you may have to keep hold of your belongings until check in. We found if you ring in advance they may be able to assist. The contact numbers are 08 numbers so will end up expensive when calling.

Overall I found the rooms very basic and not at a standard of Premier Inn. The bar area was poor and the overall standard not worth the amount we paid. I probably won’t be staying at a Travelodge again if I can help it but I’m great full for...

When I arrived the automatic doors did not work so I was left on the street. I had to find a way in through car park at the rear of the building. When I got to the reception desk no one was around until eventually some one came out and rudely said I couldn’t check in yet as it wasn’t time. (It was 14:30pm) and check it was at 15:00. I told her the automatic doors were not working in which she rudely replied ‘they were working this morning’. (I stayed 2 nights and those doors continued not to work) After waiting a few minutes miraculously I was told my room was now ready … I took my key to my room and low and behold it didn’t work. I found a cleaner near by and asked if she could help (she was very nice and helpful) she tried and said it must be the key that is faulty. She had a master key so she let me into ‘my room’. What I found when I opened that door was an utter disgrace. Mess everywhere, chairs flung on the floor and the bed was stood up against the wall! Not to mention dirt towels which looked someone had used as toilet paper. Clearly this was not my room. I then had to go back to the reception desk to the same rude girl who claimed it wasn’t her fault and was someone else’s. I received a new key to a new room and was offered a free breakfast for the next morning which I did appreciate. However that breakfast was quite embarrassing and the fact clients would pay for it is unacceptable. I know Cricklewood very well and it’s never had the best reputation but since I’m paying for a hotel I would expect it to be welcoming. Sadly not . I will never stay there again nor another travel...

A breezy 5-minute walk from my friend's house and conveniently right next to Tesco. Perfect for forgotten toiletries.

Check-in was almost suspiciously smooth. And the keycards? What a game of chance! Will they work on the first try or the fifth? It's like a budget Vegas right in your pocket.

The room itself was on the smaller side but pristine, like a dollhouse. Just beware, it turns into a sauna when London decides to have its once-in-a-century heatwave. There is no air conditioning. And the TV, so adorably small you might mistake it for a digital photo frame, had a hidden power switch—like an Easter egg hunt but less rewarding. Bonus round: the remote with no batteries.

Now, let's talk about the auditory experience. Imagine my delight when I was serenaded awake by the musing playing in the street, belting out "Hello" by Lady Aqua. I thought there was someone in the room saying hello to me. And for the added cinematic touch, we had a flickering light in the corridor, sending strobes under our door gap all night long. It's like living in a budget music video.

The hotel was kind enough to provide a fan, which, after a night out, felt like a gust of Arctic wind. Just don't expect much sleep between the fan's hum, the energetic street noise, and the flickering light's personal disco.

In short, if you're looking for a place that’s next to your friends house, and you're not too fussy about small inconveniences, this Travelodge is your spot. Next time, though, I'll ask for a room that doesn't provide a front-row seat to the bustling...