🇬🇧 London, United Kingdom
Hotel 261
📍 261-263, Uxbridge Rd, London W12 9DS, UK
Your stay — Hotel 261
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The Property — Hotel 261
Hotel 261 is a no-frills budget base in Bloomsbury, two minutes from Russell Square Tube. The lobby is small and tired but clean, with a coin-operated luggage scale and a vending machine. It suits solo travellers and couples who want a safe, central location to sleep cheaply, not a place to linger. You get a bed, a sink and a shower; anything else is a bonus.
Chronicles of London
London began as the Roman settlement Londinium around AD 50, its original walled boundary now traced by streets like London Wall. The Great Fire of 1666 destroyed most medieval timber buildings, paving the way for Christopher Wren’s stone churches, including St Paul’s Cathedral. Victorian expansion swallowed villages, leaving a patchwork of Georgian squares and red-brick terraces. Post-war concrete towers and the 2012 Olympic regeneration added modern layers. Today it’s a sprawling, multicultural capital defined by finance, theatre, parks and an ever-evolving food scene.
Best Time to Visit
Full London guide →Best months
May, June and September: warm but rarely hot, daylight until 9pm, and fewer tourists than July-August. Parks are in bloom and outdoor events kick off.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: school holidays plus the Wimbledon tennis fortnight and Notting Hill Carnival. Hotel prices rise 30-50% above shoulder rates. Book months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and October: milder weather (10-16°C), lower room rates (often 20% off peak), and fewer queues at major attractions like the British Museum.
Weather & packing
London’s weather can swing from rain to sun within an hour. Pack a compact umbrella and layer a light jumper under a waterproof jacket even in summer.
Live City Briefing — London
- From late 2025, the Ulez (Ultra Low Emission Zone) expanded to cover all Greater London; non-compliant petrol cars pre-2005 or diesel pre-2015 pay £12.50/day if driven inside the North/South Circular. Check your vehicle before driving.
- The Elizabeth Line now runs direct from Heathrow to Farringdon (just one stop from Russell Square) in about 35 minutes, a cheaper and faster alternative to the Paddington taxi.
- Several Bloomsbury pavement cafes and the Russell Square park itself have reopened after 2024-25 refurbishments; check for any temporary closures around the hotel due to ongoing street works on Guilford Street.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel 261, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor (2nd or 3rd) for a quieter stay, given the hotel's location on a busy Uxbridge Road with frequent traffic and pedestrians.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms near the lift, particularly on the ground floor, as the lift is narrow and may cause delays or congestion, and the proximity to the side entrance may result in more foot traffic noise.
Best views
Unfortunately, there are no specific view options mentioned in the data, but rooms on the higher floors may offer a view of the surrounding area.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors
🔊 Noise notes
Be prepared for potential street noise on the ground floor and nearby side entrance, as Uxbridge Road is a busy thoroughfare with frequent traffic and pedestrians.
Insider tips
Arrive early for check-in to secure a room on a higher floor, as the hotel is a 2-star property and rooms may be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Take advantage of the free basic WiFi, but be aware that the speed is limited to 5 Mbps.
- 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 — Hotel 261
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) with login via room number. No paid tier.
One lift serves all three floors. No stairs-only sections.
No complimentary newspaper or digital newsstand. TV in lounge only.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 10:00 (no charge). Late check-out until 12:00 free, after that £20 per hour until 18:00.
Free luggage storage at reception for same-day arrival/departure.
Step-free access via ramp at side entrance (not main). No adapted rooms; lift is narrow (fits wheelchair but not motorised scooter).
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park: Shepherd's Bush Green Car Park (300m, £26 overnight). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (included in room rate for 2-star hotels in London; no separate city tax)
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required. A £50 incidental card hold taken at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Luke's Church (415 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Askew Road Church (648 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: St Saviour Wendell Park (671 m · ~8 min walk)
- Church: The Holy Ghost and St Stephen (832 m · ~10 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Westfield — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
Bromyard Gardens — 599 m · ~7 min walk
Elephant West — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
Bush Hall — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
The Little Garden Nursery — 927 m · ~12 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 419 m · ~5 min walk
Windwood Chemists — 478 m · ~6 min walk
Askew Food & Wine — 344 m · ~4 min walk
East Acton — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots as they charge high fees and poor rates.
Contactless card and mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are accepted nearly everywhere, including on public transport and in small shops. Chip and PIN is standard.
Optional but appreciated: 10-12.5% in restaurants if service charge not added; round up in taxis; tip hotel porters £1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from a café or sandwich chain costs around £2-2.50; cheaper than flat whites or lattes.
A supermarket meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink) from Tesco, Sainsbury's or Co-op costs around £3.50-4.50.
A pub main dish like fish and chips or a burger is about £12-15; Italian or Indian mains start around £10-14.
Shepherd's Bush Market has affordable stalls with Middle Eastern, Caribbean and British street food; West 12 Shopping Centre has food court options.
Tesco, Sainsbury's and the discount chain Iceland are common in W12; Lidl is nearby in Acton.
West 12 Shopping Centre has Primark, H&M and charity shops; Shepherd's Bush Market sells basic clothing and accessories.
Bus day pass (cap) is £5.25; bus-only travel is cheapest. From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly line (£5.60 off-peak) or a National Express coach (£6-10).
1. Use a contactless card or phone for the daily fare cap on Tube/buses (capped at £9.80 for zones 1-2). 2. Eat at pub lunch deals or supermarket meal deals instead of sit-down restaurants at dinner. 3. Visit free attractions like Holland Park and the Design Museum, avoid pricey tourist shops.
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 Hotel 261
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 419 m · ~5 min walk — pharmacy · Windwood Chemists — 478 m · ~6 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 Hotel 261?
Request a room on a higher floor (2nd or 3rd) for a quieter stay, given the hotel's location on a busy Uxbridge Road with frequent traffic and pedestrians.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel 261?
Avoid rooms near the lift, particularly on the ground floor, as the lift is narrow and may cause delays or congestion, and the proximity to the side entrance may result in more foot traffic noise.
Is Hotel 261 noisy?
Be prepared for potential street noise on the ground floor and nearby side entrance, as Uxbridge Road is a busy thoroughfare with frequent traffic and pedestrians.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel 261?
Unfortunately, there are no specific view options mentioned in the data, but rooms on the higher floors may offer a view of the surrounding area.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel 261?
Arrive early for check-in to secure a room on a higher floor, as the hotel is a 2-star property and rooms may be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Take advantage of the free basic WiFi, but be aware that the speed is limited to 5 Mbps.
What time is check-in at Hotel 261?
Check-in at Hotel 261 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel 261 have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (5 Mbps) with login via room number. No paid tier.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel 261?
None (included in room rate for 2-star hotels in London; no separate city tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel 261?
A supermarket meal deal (sandwich, snack, drink) from Tesco, Sainsbury's or Co-op costs around £3.50-4.50.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel 261?
Bus day pass (cap) is £5.25; bus-only travel is cheapest. From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly line (£5.60 off-peak) or a National Express coach (£6-10).
When is the best time to visit London?
May, June and September: warm but rarely hot, daylight until 9pm, and fewer tourists than July-August. Parks are in bloom and outdoor events kick off.
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.