As a group leader of 13 Italian tourists, I stayed at the Abcone in June 2007; we were pleased with our stay. The location is perfect: just 3/4 mins' walk to Gloucester Road Tube Station, the area is very quiet. Rooms and bathrooms are clean.

Breakfast a little bit poor and ... starts at 8:30am on Sundays! (had to leave withour having breakfast, which was a bit disappointing). On the whole, it is good value for money and I would recommend this Hotel. I will certainly stay there again next time.

I had been looking for a suitable hotel for a small group of ladies celebrating birthday weekends on a medium budget. Just after booking a couple of quite negative reviews appeared here and I was a bit worried! However, we had a great stay.

Plus points:
Rooms were all clean, and looked fairly recently furnished.
Triples were large, Doubles more compact but still fine for a couple of nights.
Soft drinks in minibar were £1 each, yes, more expensive than shops, but cheaper than most other london hotels I've stayed in!
All our rooms had nice powerful showers, some over bath, some walk-in.
We were able to store our luggage for several hours before and after our stay.
The receptionist let us check into our rooms early (tho obviously this will just depend on if they have been vacated early and cleaned)
Breakfast was available until 10:30 on Sunday, and was adequate for us (Juice/coffee/cereal and plenty toast).
Only 200 yards from Tube and Taxi Rank.
Several pubs/bars/cafes/supermarkets available in a 5 minute walk, and only 10 mins walk to the V&A, Natural History and Science museums.
Quiet side-street location rather than facing directly on the busy Cromwell/gloucester Rds.

Room for Improvement:
The water never seemed to run cold, which wasn't too pleasant for tooth brushing.
The website mentioned a bar but, when we arrived there wasn't one. I thought it was my own mistake, but checking again it's still mentioned (although the main page with picture of it is gone). We were obviously a bit disappointed, but there was a large bar under the monsterous looking holiday inn next door and several shops so you could buy your own for late night consumption without feeling guilty!

I think overall that it is of the same or higher standard to other london hotels of the same price - they are all expensive for what they are, but for anything cheaper you are probably going to book 6 months in advance, very last minute or stay in a youth hostel, all fine at times, but not always possible!
Both myself and other members of the group agreed we'd be very happy to stay here again.

I knew this hotel from living next door in college. We decided to stay there since I was familiar with the area. It is right behind the Gloucester road tube station so you have immediate access to public transportation and can be anywhere in minutes. The hotel is small, clean, quiet and very accommodating. When My husband and I checked in, we realized that I had booked us in two twin beds. the hotel was very accommodating and changed our rooms for us. then, when we went to Normandy for the weekend, they let us store our bags there for a minimal charge rather than having to take them with us. For those who complain about small rooms, I think they have not traveled in Europe much. the rooms here were a bargain for the price! I would definitely go again.

In short, only go to this hotel if you like being made out to be a con artist and if you love being ripped off.

If you are going to book the hotel, I advise you to book directly through them via their website.

When I arrived they did not no I had made a booking through www.octopustravel.com
It took over an hour for the receptionist to understand I had paid in advance after him swearing and being very uncooperative and rude.
I had to pay £120 for 2 nights and when the manager was in I would get a refund!!

Service in all was appalling, the rooms were basic, nothing special (which was fine) but the carpets are filthy. Windows broken and would not open.

I was horrified when in my towel a man came bursting in the room asking if I wanted room service!

When checking out I spoke to the manager about my concerns and he laughed it off not even apologising.

All in all I would not recommend this hotel to anybody.