The Hotel Russell, situated along one side of Russell Square in the Bloomsbury area of the city was to be my home for my recent short break in the capital. Being in the hotel industry myself, I don't like to pay a fortune for hotels and I booked the hotel about two months prior to our arrival and managed to secure two double/twin rooms at the rate of 85 per room per night, through a contact. However this special rate was also available on the website, and so is achievable. Given that this rate included breakfast, seemed to be a luxurious four star hotel but at a price not dissimilar to some of the budget accommodation in London, was in walking distance of the theatre district which was the main reason for our trip and because Covent Garden/Leicester Square were also a stone's throw away, we decided to book and indulge.

The hotel is easily accessed from the main railway stations such as Euston, and King's Cross/St Pancras, and is in fact one short tube stop away on the Piccadilly line, or if you prefer to stay above ground, then is well served by buses from the stations. Travel time from Heathrow is around 40 minutes on the Piccadilly line.

The hotel itself takes up the entire block at the side of Russell Square and is one of the most imposing hotels within this location. This purpose built building dates from around the turn of the 20th century and its architecture is renaissance in style, with stunning terracotta brickwork. The hotel is large in size, with almost 400 rooms, and many overlook the square, including ours. The original floor to ceiling window frames do open out onto a small balcony area, if you want to absorb some of the atmosphere in the square below, but once closed, act as relatively good sound barriers.
Access to the hotel is via a small flight of steps and there is a wooden revolving doorway, which most people tend to use, despite the fact the adjoining doors are easier to manage and were always open. In reception you can find porters and a traditional London concierge, and the centrepiece of the reception area is the magnificent marble staircase.

Check in was efficient and I was provided with all the information needed about dining times and breakfast. The reception area also houses a small business centre/internet point, which was 6 for around 40 minutes access, so ideal if you have urgent matters to attend to. The rooms also had wired broadband points, although I did not try these out, having decided to leave the laptop at

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