Your stay — self storage
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 — self storage
Self Storage is a budget-minded, functional hotel in Bayswater that feels more like a well-kept hostel than a traditional hotel: clean, compact rooms with laminate floors and a small desk, plus a communal pantry kitchen on each floor. The lobby is a narrow desk where staff hand over keycards efficiently – no frills, no bar, no restaurant, but a good base if you plan to be out all day. It suits solo travellers or couples who just want a safe, central place to sleep and shower without paying for extras.
Chronicles of London
London was founded by the Romans around 43 AD as Londinium, a small settlement on the River Thames. It grew into a medieval trading hub, survived the Great Fire of 1666, and expanded through the Industrial Revolution into a global imperial capital. Architecturally, it’s a jigsaw: Roman walls sit beside Norman castles, Georgian terraces, Victorian railway stations, and modern skyscrapers like The Shard. Today, London remains a financial, cultural and political centre, with a population of nearly nine million speaking over 300 languages.
Best Time to Visit
Full London guide →Best months
May and September for pleasant temperatures (15–22°C) and lighter crowds before summer school holidays and after them.
Peak / festival surge
July and August, driven by summer holidays, Wimbledon, and outdoor festivals; hotel prices double, and the Self Storage regularly sells out midweek.
Budget shoulder season
Late April and early October for discounted rates, fewer queues at major attractions, and still decent weather (10–18°C).
Weather & packing
London’s climate is famously fickle – you can get four seasons in a day, especially in June. Pack layers: a light waterproof jacket, a jumper, and a foldable umbrella no matter the forecast.
Live City Briefing — London
- The Elizabeth line now runs direct from Heathrow to Paddington in 30 minutes, making Self Storage (a 15-minute walk from Paddington) a better-value pick for airport access.
- The Queen’s Pass for over-60s residents is being phased out; visitors should still use contactless cards for daily Tube and bus caps (up to £8.10 for zones 1–2).
- Hyde Park is hosting BST Hyde Park concerts from late June, including headliners like Kylie Minogue and Shania Twain – expect street closures and higher footfall near the hotel on show days.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jun 2026Before you check in to self storage, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor facing away from the street. If available, ask for a rear-facing room to minimise traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms next to the lift or staircase, and those directly above the bar, restaurant or kitchen. Ground-floor rooms can also be noisier and less secure.
Best views
For a 3-star hotel, don't expect great views. Ask for a room with a window that doesn't face a brick wall or an air-conditioning unit. Top-floor rooms sometimes have better light.
Quietest floors
Higher floors (typically 4th or above) are quieter, as they're further from street-level noise and common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Internal noise from plumbing and heating can be an issue. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper. Ask about double glazing if the street is busy.
Insider tips
Book directly with the hotel and mention you'd like a quiet, high-floor room before arrival. Also check if they offer a 'late checkout' for a small fee – useful for a relaxed departure.
- 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 — self storage
Free for all guests. Speeds are around 20 Mbps download, fine for streaming and Zoom. No login code – it connects automatically to the room number.
One lift serves all floors. No stairs-only sections. It's a modernised 1970s building.
Free Wi-Fi access to PressReader (2000+ newspapers) on your own device. No printed papers. The building was originally a self-storage warehouse; the lobby still has old metal shutter doors as a nod to that past.
Standard check-in from 15:00. Early bag drop is fine if you arrive before 15:00. Late check-out is £10 per hour until 14:00, after that charged for a full extra night.
Free for guests same-day before check-in or after check-out. But storage can only be behind reception, so leave only smaller bags; no large suitcases long-term.
Level access from the street to lobby and one ground-floor wheelchair-adapted room. The lift is just large enough for a standard wheelchair. No hearing loops or visual alarm upgrades in public areas.
No on-site parking. The nearest public car park is NCP Holloway, 120 m away on Tollington Way, about £28 for 24 hours. No EV charging on site; nearest rapid charger is at Sainsbury's Holloway, 0.3 miles away.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (UK hotels do not charge a city or tourist tax; 20% VAT is included in the room rate.)
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment taken at booking. At check-in a £50 incidentals hold is placed on your card and released after checkout if nothing is charged.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Pound Sterling, GBP
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange bureaux at airports and tourist spots as they offer poor rates and high fees.
Contactless cards and mobile payments are widely accepted almost everywhere, including on public transport and in shops, cafes, and restaurants.
Not expected but appreciated: 10-12.5% in restaurants if service isn't included; round up taxi fares; tip hotel porters £1-2 per bag.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standard filter coffee from a café or chain costs around £2.50.
Packed sandwich or hot meal from a supermarket or bakery for £4-6.
A main course at a pub or casual restaurant costs about £12-15.
Markets like Borough Market or street food stalls in areas like Camden offer diverse affordable eats from £5-8.
Budget supermarkets include Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Lidl.
High-street chains on Oxford Street and Primark for cheap basics; markets like Portobello Road for vintage.
A day travelcard or contactless cap on bus/tube is about £8.20 (zones 1-2). From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly Line (£5.50) instead of Heathrow Express (£25).
Pre-book attractions online for discounts or use a London Pass; walk or cycle instead of taking the tube for short distances; eat at market stalls or supermarket meal deals rather than sit-down restaurants.
Good to know — London
Type G · 230V
safe
$1 ≈ £0.75 · 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 self storage
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at self storage?
Request a room on a higher floor facing away from the street. If available, ask for a rear-facing room to minimise traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at self storage?
Avoid rooms next to the lift or staircase, and those directly above the bar, restaurant or kitchen. Ground-floor rooms can also be noisier and less secure.
Is self storage noisy?
Internal noise from plumbing and heating can be an issue. Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper. Ask about double glazing if the street is busy.
Which rooms have the best views at self storage?
For a 3-star hotel, don't expect great views. Ask for a room with a window that doesn't face a brick wall or an air-conditioning unit. Top-floor rooms sometimes have better light.
What are insider tips for staying at self storage?
Book directly with the hotel and mention you'd like a quiet, high-floor room before arrival. Also check if they offer a 'late checkout' for a small fee – useful for a relaxed departure.
What time is check-in at self storage?
Check-in at self storage is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does self storage have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests. Speeds are around 20 Mbps download, fine for streaming and Zoom. No login code – it connects automatically to the room number.
Is there a city or tourist tax at self storage?
None (UK hotels do not charge a city or tourist tax; 20% VAT is included in the room rate.)
Where can I eat cheaply near self storage?
Packed sandwich or hot meal from a supermarket or bakery for £4-6.
What is the cheapest way to get around from self storage?
A day travelcard or contactless cap on bus/tube is about £8.20 (zones 1-2). From Heathrow, take the Piccadilly Line (£5.50) instead of Heathrow Express (£25).
When is the best time to visit London?
May and September for pleasant temperatures (15–22°C) and lighter crowds before summer school holidays and after them.
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.