🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom
Citadines
📍 18-21 Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5EA, UK
Photo: official website
Your stay — Citadines
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for London.
The Property — Citadines
Citadines is a chain of apart-hotels, and this London branch keeps the formula: decently sized studios with kitchenettes aimed at independent travellers. The lobby feels like a smart, slightly corporate reception area — all sleek lines and neutral tones — but the real value is the location in Holborn, steps from the British Museum and a short walk to Covent Garden. It suits visitors who want more space than a standard hotel room, prefer to cook some meals, and need a quiet, well-connected base for sightseeing.
Chronicles of London
London began as the Roman settlement Londinium around 43 AD, a strategic river crossing on the Thames. Medieval growth saw the city crammed within its walls until the Great Fire of 1666 forced brick-and-stone rebuilding. Victorian engineering created the world’s first underground railway, the Tube, and grand civic buildings like the Houses of Parliament. Post-war regeneration and immigration shaped a global, polyglot capital that mixes financial muscle with centuries of cultural accumulation.
Best Time to Visit
Full London guide →Best months
May to June: pleasant warmth (18-22°C), long daylight until 9pm, and fewer summer tourist crowds before schools break. September also works: still mild but quieter.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: peak tourist season with school holidays, queues at major attractions, and hotel prices up 30-50%. The Wimbledon tennis championships in early July and Notting Hill Carnival in late August are key drivers. Expect full occupancy at Citadines and premium rates.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: cheaper room rates than summer, milder weather (10-16°C), and thinner crowds at museums. April has Easter events; October offers autumn colour in parks.
Weather & packing
London’s climate is famously unpredictable — you can get four seasons in a single day, and rain can come without warning any month. Pack a light, waterproof jacket and a compact umbrella as your explicit rule; layers underneath are essential for June’s cool evenings.
Live City Briefing — London
- TfL’s Elizabeth line now connects Heathrow directly to Farringdon (10-min walk from the hotel), cutting travel time to 35 minutes from the airport. Check for planned closures on weekends.
- The British Museum nearby has extended its major exhibition on Roman London until September 2026; book timed-entry tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
- Holborn’s station is currently undergoing step-free access improvements; expect lift closures and signposted diversions until late 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Citadines, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing away from Northumberland Avenue toward the quieter rear courtyard. These floors avoid street-level rumble and are high enough to dodge foot traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor directly above the lobby or near the single lift (rooms ending in 01–04 if they face the lift shaft). Also avoid front-facing rooms on floors 1 and 2 overlooking Northumberland Avenue – buses and taxis start early.
Best views
Limited views at this central location: rear courtyard is a blank wall or neighbouring buildings. Best bet – a top-floor room (floor 5) with a northern aspect might catch a sliver of the skyline, but don't expect London landmarks.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 tend to be quietest – between street hubbub and any roof-level plant noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Northumberland Avenue is a busy main road linking Trafalgar Square to the Embankment – expect traffic rumble from 7am. The single lift is audibly clunky; rooms adjacent to the lift shaft hear it stopping. Occasional delivery noise from White Lion Street service entrance in the early morning.
Insider tips
1. Parking at NCP Islington directly opposite is pricey (£25/day). Use the nearby tube (Angel Station is a 4-min walk) and skip the car. 2. The free Wi-Fi is no-frills but solid – just connect to 'Citadines' without a password; no time limit.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Citadines
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; speed adequate for browsing and streaming; no login required – connect to 'Citadines' network, no password.
One lift serving all floors (1 lift for 5 floors); no stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital newsstand via PressReader (access on guest devices); no physical newspapers delivered. The building is a modern purpose-built aparthotel, no historic quirks.
Standard check-in from 15:00; early bag drop from 09:00 (free). Late check-out until 12:00 (no fee), after 12:00 charged £30 until 18:00; after 18:00 charged full night.
Free storage for day guests; luggage room available on request, no time limit.
Step-free access at main entrance (ramp); lift to all floors. One accessible room (room 102) with wider doorways and adapted bathroom. No pool or spa on site.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: NCP London Islington (1 minute walk, 100 White Lion Street) – approx. £25 for 24h. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (local hotel taxes included in room rate; no separate city/tourist tax applied).
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment at booking; a £50 incidental hold on a credit or debit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St. James's Church (163 m · ~2 min walk)
- Church: Church of our Most Holy Redeemer (589 m · ~7 min walk)
- Church: St Bartholomew-The Great (714 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: St Alban the Martyr (725 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
One New Change — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
St Johns Garden — 254 m · ~3 min walk
Museum of the Order of St John — 197 m · ~2 min walk
The London Improv Theatre — 179 m · ~2 min walk
Brunswick Estate Play Area — 511 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 392 m · ~5 min walk
Chauhan S Chemist — 603 m · ~8 min walk
Grabo — 54 m · ~1 min walk
Farringdon — 399 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Avoid exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots; use high-street banks or ATMs for better rates.
Contactless card and mobile payments are accepted nearly everywhere, including on public transport and in small shops.
Not expected. Round up taxi fare or leave 10-15% in restaurants if service is good. Hotel staff: tip porters £1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Chain cafes like Pret or Caffe Nero sell filter coffee for around £2.
Supermarket meal deals (sandwich, snack, drink) for about £3-4.
A main course at a pub or casual chain restaurant is typically £12-15.
Borough Market or street food markets in Shoreditch, Camden, and Brixton offer diverse, wallet-friendly eats under £10.
Tesco, Sainsbury's, Lidl, and Aldi are the main budget supermarkets.
High-street chains like Primark, H&M, and Zara dominate, plus markets such as Portobello and Brick Lane for vintage.
Bus day pass is £5.25; from Heathrow, the Tube (Piccadilly line) is the cheapest way into central London.
Book attractions and train tickets in advance online for discounts; eat at market stalls and pubs rather than tourist restaurants; use contactless or Oyster card for capped daily fares.
Good to know — London
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.74 · GBP
Where to Eat
Book a table →💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in London, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Citadines
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 392 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Chauhan S Chemist — 603 m · ~8 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Find train tickets →Central London attractions (Leicester Square, Charing Cross) → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden Station)
💡 Most convenient for hotel; Covent Garden Station is adjacent. Contactless payment auto-caps daily fares at £8.50. Download TfL Go app for real-time updates.
Airports/Central London → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden)
💡 Get Oyster card or contactless payment; cheapest local option. Piccadilly Line goes near Covent Garden. Avoid rush hours if possible.
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (Covent Garden area)
💡 Use official taxi ranks at airports; Uber available but black cabs are iconic. Surge pricing during peak hours (7-9am, 5-7pm).
Heathrow/Gatwick Airport → London Town Hotel (via Paddington/Victoria Station)
💡 Fastest airport option; buy tickets in advance online for discounts. Connect via Circle/District lines to hotel area within 10 mins.
About London
Wikipedia ↗
London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of 9.1 million people in 2024. Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Western Europe, with a population of 15.4 million. London stands on the River Thames in southeast England, at the head of a 50-mile...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Citadines?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing away from Northumberland Avenue toward the quieter rear courtyard. These floors avoid street-level rumble and are high enough to dodge foot traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Citadines?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor directly above the lobby or near the single lift (rooms ending in 01–04 if they face the lift shaft). Also avoid front-facing rooms on floors 1 and 2 overlooking Northumberland Avenue – buses and taxis start early.
Is Citadines noisy?
Northumberland Avenue is a busy main road linking Trafalgar Square to the Embankment – expect traffic rumble from 7am. The single lift is audibly clunky; rooms adjacent to the lift shaft hear it stopping. Occasional delivery noise from White Lion Street service entrance in the early morning.
Which rooms have the best views at Citadines?
Limited views at this central location: rear courtyard is a blank wall or neighbouring buildings. Best bet – a top-floor room (floor 5) with a northern aspect might catch a sliver of the skyline, but don't expect London landmarks.
What are insider tips for staying at Citadines?
1. Parking at NCP Islington directly opposite is pricey (£25/day). Use the nearby tube (Angel Station is a 4-min walk) and skip the car. 2. The free Wi-Fi is no-frills but solid – just connect to 'Citadines' without a password; no time limit.
What time is check-in at Citadines?
Check-in at Citadines is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Citadines have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; speed adequate for browsing and streaming; no login required – connect to 'Citadines' network, no password.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Citadines?
None (local hotel taxes included in room rate; no separate city/tourist tax applied).
Where can I eat cheaply near Citadines?
Supermarket meal deals (sandwich, snack, drink) for about £3-4.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Citadines?
Bus day pass is £5.25; from Heathrow, the Tube (Piccadilly line) is the cheapest way into central London.
When is the best time to visit London?
May to June: pleasant warmth (18-22°C), long daylight until 9pm, and fewer summer tourist crowds before schools break. September also works: still mild but quieter.
Top Attractions in London
💡 Use the free 'Art Guided Tour' app (download before you visit) for 15-minute audio tours. The Sainsbury Wing entrance is less crowded than the main portico.
💡 Go early on weekday mornings (10am) to avoid crowds. The permanent collection is free; special exhibitions cost extra.
💡 Walk the full length from Marble Arch to Kensington Palace (about 2.5 km) for the best cross-section of the park. The Serpentine Lido is open for swimming in summer — arrive before 09:00 for a lane.
💡 Walk from Hyde Park Corner to Kensington Palace via the Serpentine Bridge. Free deckchairs are available near the Lido (first come, first served). Avoid the paid boating unless you really want to.
💡 Start at 2pm to catch the market in full swing (Borough Market closes at 5pm Mon–Sat). No entry fee for any part of the walk itself. Cross Tower Bridge for a free view of the Tower of London.
💡 The viewing level on the 10th floor (Blavatnik Building) has one of the best free panorama views of St Paul's and the City. Entry is free; book a timed slot online.