The Mad Hatter Hotel

Excellent and silent location, the Globe and Tate Modern just around the corner, just like the magical Southbank Christmas Market. Very close to Southwark and Blackfriars Stations. You can walk to the West End easily. The room was spacious and generally clean, big bathroom, very friendly staff, everything you need is included, mini bar free for the first night, plus a Christmas gift of a pretty little bottle of gin. Has a lift.

There was some lint under one pillow - sadly ruining the very clean first impression. The central heating didn't work. Luckily there was an air conditioning device with a heating function which saved the day. The taxi I ordered at the reception when leaving turned out to be a regular car, not a typical London Black Cab which I was thinking I'd get. The cab cost more than I was told at the reception, and nobody told me it would be cash only. Good thing I still had some cash left! Would have preferred the Underground if I had known. Still, all in all, a good stay in the heart of London.

The beds are actually a little bit soft! What a nice experience compared to otherwise higher-rated places. I also liked the free use of the items in the fridge until it was empty (after that you pay for them). The location is fairly easy to find, and staff are friendly if not terribly helpful.

This is the second time we've been there, and both times lights and outlets did not work, windows were insecure, and strange outbursts of noise from neighboring rooms occurred. The hotel needs to do more to quell drunken hall parties, door slamming, etc., at 2-4 AM. Finally, while we liked the staff we met, they are not particularly knowledgeable about the area, where to find necessary things, etc. It is true we may be spoiled by the exemplary treatment we have received from 4-5 star concierges, but a little help with things like locations of ATMs (the only one they knew of was broken by an attempted theft), places to shop and eat besides the onsite pub (really not very good), and so forth would be helpful. There should also be procedures well-posted about quiet after certain hours, etc.