Charing Cross was the last and largest of twelve Eleanor crosses, monuments erected between 1291 and 1295 by King Edward I in memory of his wife Eleanor of Castile. The crosses marked the nightly resting places of her body as it was transported to London.
Though the original cross was removed in 1647 and replaced 28 years later by a bronze equestrian statue of Charles I, the name was kept. It still marks the Kilometer Zero center of London. Just open Google Maps and type in London. The marker will show Charing Cross. So, if you want to stay in the “center” of London, this is your hotel.
I have stayed here countless times since 1996ish. It has gone through many changes in these years, most recently being brought under the Amba Group (it used to be a Thistle Hotel). I stayed here in March, and found the staff to be very helpful and the room to be more than adequate for a weekend to enjoy London. Best of all, the location is perfect for the West End. The theatres are just steps away, as is Trafalgar, St. James Park, several tube stops and there’s a taxi queue just out the front door (although you really should be using Uber if you want to save money).
If you are into running, head out the door and then right down toward the embankment. The road down has almost no cars, and the embankment is a great running area. I also ran around St. James’ one day.
On our second day there, we were welcomed back to our room with an unexpected plate of fresh fruit and a bottle of white wine on ice.
My TripAdvisor review of this hotel
You may get better rates if you book directly from their website.
Why go?
- Location, location, location!
- This hotel is within *easy* walking distance of Trafalgar Square, the Strand, West End, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Buckingham Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Regent Street, 10 Downing Street, Big Ben, Westminster Cathedral, Houses of Parliament, the National Gallery,… just to name a few.
- In case you need to go further afield, it is right on top of a train station and a tube stop, and there’s a taxi queue right out front.
- They treat you well.
What you need to know:
- Billed as a luxery 4-star hotel.
- The electrical plugs are in the UK style (so bring an adapter), but the beds also provide USB ports.
- Everything in the minibar is now free of charge, if you are into that. I typically purchase snacks myself, and there are plenty of small grocery stores just out the front door and to the right.
Welcome back gift - Charing Cross Hotel, London
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Charing Cross Hotel
Location: Central London
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Charing Cross was the last and largest of twelve Eleanor crosses, monuments erected between 1291 and 1295 by King Edward I in memory of his wife Eleanor of Castile. The crosses marked the nightly resting places of her body as it was transported to London.
Though the original cross was removed in 1647 and replaced 28 years later by a bronze equestrian statue of Charles I, the name was kept. It still marks the Kilometer Zero center of London. Just open Google Maps and type in London. The marker will show Charing Cross. So, if you want to stay in the “center” of London, this is your hotel.
I have stayed here countless times since 1996ish. It has gone through many changes in these years, most recently being brought under the Amba Group (it used to be a Thistle Hotel). I stayed here in March, and found the staff to be very helpful and the room to be more than adequate for a weekend to enjoy London. Best of all, the location is perfect for the West End. The theatres are just steps away, as is Trafalgar, St. James Park, several tube stops and there’s a taxi queue just out the front door (although you really should be using Uber if you want to save money).
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This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
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Picture taken: 3/2016
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#charingcrosshotel #charingcross #ambahotelcharingcross #london #londonhotel #ambahotel #centrallondon #ambahotelcharingcross #welcomebackgift
Entrance - Charing Cross Hotel, London
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Charing Cross Hotel
Location: Central London
.
Charing Cross was the last and largest of twelve Eleanor crosses, monuments erected between 1291 and 1295 by King Edward I in memory of his wife Eleanor of Castile. The crosses marked the nightly resting places of her body as it was transported to London.
Though the original cross was removed in 1647 and replaced 28 years later by a bronze equestrian statue of Charles I, the name was kept. It still marks the Kilometer Zero center of London. Just open Google Maps and type in London. The marker will show Charing Cross. So, if you want to stay in the “center” of London, this is your hotel.
I have stayed here countless times since 1996ish. It has gone through many changes in these years, most recently being brought under the Amba Group (it used to be a Thistle Hotel). I stayed here in March, and found the staff to be very helpful and the room to be more than adequate for a weekend to enjoy London. Best of all, the location is perfect for the West End. The theatres are just steps away, as is Trafalgar, St. James Park, several tube stops and there’s a taxi queue just out the front door (although you really should be using Uber if you want to save money).
.
This picture is posted on Instagram as a way to include it in my travel blog. Head to the link in my profile for more details: @mytravels.hdf
.
Picture taken: 3/2016
.
#charingcrosshotel #charingcross #ambahotelcharingcross #london #londonhotel #ambahotelcharingcross #ambahotel #centrallondon
