Mabledon Court Hotel London, Deluxe Double Room Review: What's Changed Since Our Last Stay?
Why We Returned To Mabledon Court Hotel
We've stayed at Mabledon Court Hotel several times over the years and previously reviewed it very positively thanks to its friendly family-run atmosphere, convenient Bloomsbury location and excellent value for money.
When we booked a Deluxe Double Room at Mabledon Court Hotel for another London theatre break at the end of June 2025, we were looking forward to returning to a hotel we'd genuinely enjoyed before. Our one-night stay cost £175.50 including breakfast and, since our last visit, the hotel had undergone significant changes, including refurbished rooms and ongoing renovation work.
In this Mabledon Court Hotel review, I'll be sharing our experience staying in a recently refurbished Deluxe Double Room, looking at the room itself, the breakfast offering, the ongoing renovations and whether we'd still recommend the hotel today.
As theatre lovers, our trips to London are usually packed with West End shows, meaning we spend very little time in our hotel room beyond sleeping and getting ready for the next performance. That's why location and value for money have always been more important to us than luxury facilities.
Hotel Location
One thing that hasn't changed about Mabledon Court Hotel is its excellent location.
Situated in Bloomsbury, the hotel remains around a 10-minute walk from Euston Station and within easy reach of King's Cross and St Pancras. For theatre lovers like us, it's also within walking distance of many West End theatres, making it a convenient base for a London theatre break.
The British Museum, Russell Square and numerous restaurants and cafés are all nearby, while Oxford Street can be reached on foot if you enjoy exploring the city as much as we do.
For short London stays focused on theatre, sightseeing and attractions rather than spending time in the hotel itself, the location continues to be one of the property's biggest strengths.
Check-In and First Impressions
Check-in was quick and straightforward, and the member of staff working at reception was friendly and welcoming.
One thing that hasn't changed is the hotel's luggage storage service. We arrived before check-in and were able to leave our bags safely at reception while we headed off to our first theatre show of the trip. After checking out the following day, we were also able to leave our luggage at the hotel while we explored London and attended a matinee performance before catching our train home. For theatre-goers and visitors wanting to make the most of their time in the city, this remains a very useful service.
However, it quickly became clear that the hotel was undergoing significant renovation work.
While refurbishment can ultimately improve a property, we were surprised that the work hadn't been mentioned when we booked. As we made our way through the hotel, we encountered unfinished walls, exposed wiring and visible construction work in some of the corridors and communal areas.
The guest lounge that had previously been available during our earlier stays was also being used to store renovation materials and therefore wasn't accessible during our visit.
The work didn't prevent us from enjoying our stay, but it did have a noticeable impact on the overall atmosphere and first impression of the hotel.
The Room
For this stay we booked a Deluxe Double Room and, in many ways, the room itself was the highlight of our visit.
In fact, this was probably the nicest room we've stayed in at Mabledon Court Hotel.
The room had clearly been recently refurbished and felt far more modern than the rooms we remembered from previous visits. While still compact, the layout made good use of the available space.
The room included:
Double bed
En-suite bathroom
Television
Free Wi-Fi
Desk and chair
Safe
Tea and coffee-making facilities
Wardrobe space
Fan
Hairdryer
The décor felt contemporary, with neutral tones, modern furnishings and a much more up-to-date appearance than the hotel's older rooms.
The desk area provided plenty of space for charging devices and getting ready, while the large upholstered headboard and modern furniture gave the room a more premium feel.
Like many central London hotels, space was limited, but for a one-night theatre break it provided everything we needed.
One thing worth noting is that the room does not have air conditioning. A fan was provided, which helped during our stay, but the room was still noticeably warm due to the hot weather. Guests visiting during the summer months may want to bear this in mind when booking.
Despite being compact, the room never felt uncomfortable for a one-night stay. We spent very little time there beyond sleeping and getting ready, but it provided everything we needed for our theatre trip. The bed was comfortable, the room felt clean and fresh, and the recent refurbishment gave it a much more modern feel than the rooms we had stayed in previously.
Although the room had clearly been refurbished, there were still small signs that finishing touches were outstanding. Opposite the bathroom, near the light switches, there was a small hole in the wall through which cabling was visible. I can't say what the cable was for, but it did add to the feeling that the hotel was still very much mid-renovation during our stay.
Overall, the room was clean, comfortable and well presented, and it was clear that the refurbishment programme has significantly improved the accommodation itself.
The Bathroom
The bathroom was another area that had clearly benefited from the renovations.
Finished with modern tiling throughout, it felt bright, fresh and considerably more contemporary than the bathrooms we remembered from previous stays.
Facilities included:
Walk-in shower
Toilet
Sink
Mirror
Towels
Toiletries
The shower enclosure was modern and easy to use, and everything appeared clean and well maintained.
Of all the improvements we noticed during our stay, the bathroom was probably one of the most impressive.
Renovation Work
As returning guests, this was perhaps the biggest change we noticed.
During our previous stays, Mabledon Court Hotel felt like a cosy family-run hotel with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. This time, the ongoing renovation work was impossible to ignore.
In the corridors we encountered exposed wiring, unfinished walls, missing fixtures and construction materials. Some areas were clearly still a work in progress, creating a very different first impression from the hotel we remembered.
We also noticed a small unfinished area inside our room, which reinforced the feeling that the renovation work was still ongoing.
The contrast between the newly refurbished bedroom and the unfinished communal areas was quite striking.
Hopefully, once the renovation programme is complete, the rest of the hotel will reflect the same standard as the refurbished rooms.
Breakfast
Breakfast was included in the room rate and represented another significant change from our previous visits.
When we stayed in 2022 and 2023, guests could choose between a cooked breakfast and continental options. Staff were present throughout breakfast service, taking order slips, bringing toast to tables and offering tea and coffee. It felt personal, friendly and very much in keeping with the family-run atmosphere of the hotel.
This time, breakfast was continental only and entirely self-service.
The selection included:
Cereals
Bread for toasting
Croissants and pastries
Cheese
Cold meats
Yoghurts
Fresh fruit
Jams and spreads
Tea and coffee
Fruit juice
There was enough choice for a simple breakfast before heading out to explore London, and everything we tried was perfectly enjoyable.
What stood out more was the difference in atmosphere. During breakfast there were no staff present in the dining room and, apart from the receptionist, we didn't encounter any other members of staff throughout our stay.
The breakfast itself wasn't bad, but it felt much more basic than the service we had enjoyed on previous visits.
Overall Thoughts
Looking back on our latest stay at Mabledon Court Hotel, the biggest improvements were undoubtedly the refurbished rooms.
This is quite a difficult review to write because, in many ways, the hotel is both better and worse than it used to be.
The room itself was undoubtedly an improvement. Our Deluxe Double Room was modern, comfortable and well refurbished, while the bathroom felt fresh, contemporary and significantly upgraded from previous stays.
In fact, this was probably the nicest room we've experienced at Mabledon Court Hotel. The refurbishment has created a more modern and comfortable space, and it's clear that money has been invested in upgrading the accommodation.
At the same time, many of the qualities that originally made us recommend the hotel seem to have changed.
The family-run atmosphere that we previously loved felt largely absent. The staff we did meet were friendly and helpful, but there was very little staff presence elsewhere in the hotel. The breakfast service had been simplified considerably, and the ongoing renovation work affected some of the communal areas.
As returning guests, the biggest thing we noticed wasn't the physical changes to the building but the change in atmosphere.
That doesn't mean Mabledon Court Hotel is a bad hotel. The location remains excellent, the refurbished rooms are a genuine improvement, and the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful. However, it no longer feels quite like the warm, family-run hotel we remembered from previous stays.
Instead, it feels like a hotel in transition.
Once the renovation work is complete, it will be interesting to see whether some of that character returns alongside the improved accommodation.
Who Is This Hotel Best For?
I would particularly recommend Mabledon Court Hotel for:
Theatre-goers visiting London
Visitors arriving via Euston or King's Cross
Couples looking for a convenient central London base
Short city breaks
Travellers who prioritise location over hotel facilities
If you're looking for a luxury hotel with extensive facilities, this probably won't be the right choice. However, if you need a well-located place to stay within walking distance of major transport links and many London attractions, it remains a practical option.
Would I Stay Here Again?
Possibly, but my answer isn't quite as straightforward as it would have been a few years ago.
If I were choosing purely based on location, I'd certainly consider returning. The hotel remains within easy walking distance of Euston Station, King's Cross and many West End theatres, making it extremely convenient for the type of trips we enjoy.
The refurbished Deluxe Double Room was also the best room we've experienced at the hotel, and it's encouraging to see investment being made in the accommodation itself.
However, what made us return previously wasn't just the location or the rooms – it was the atmosphere. During our earlier stays, Mabledon Court Hotel felt welcoming, personal and genuinely family-run. Unfortunately, that was the aspect of the experience that felt most noticeably different during our latest visit.
For first-time visitors, the renovated rooms and excellent location may be enough to make Mabledon Court Hotel a good choice for a short London stay. Returning guests, however, should be aware that the experience currently feels quite different from the hotel many of us remember.
I'd be interested to return once the renovation work is complete to see how the hotel develops. For now, I'd describe it as a hotel with plenty of potential that is still very much a work in progress.
If you're booking because of older reviews describing a cosy family-run atmosphere and cooked breakfast service, it's worth knowing that the experience has changed significantly in recent years.
Hotel Information At A Glance
Hotel: Mabledon Court Hotel
Location: Bloomsbury, London
Room Type: Deluxe Double Room
Price Paid: £175.50 for one night (including breakfast)
Breakfast: Continental breakfast included
Free Wi-Fi: Yes
Air Conditioning: No (fan provided)
24-Hour Reception: Yes
Luggage Storage: Yes (available before check-in and after check-out)
Lift: Yes
Distance from King's Cross St Pancras: Approximately 5 minutes' walk
Distance from Euston Station: Approximately 10 minutes' walk
Distance from West End Theatres: Approximately 20-30 minutes' walk
British Museum: Approximately 15-20 minutes' walk
Renovation Work: Ongoing during our stay
Watch My Full Room Tour & Review
As part of this Mabledon Court Hotel review, I've also included my full room tour and hotel review video below, where you can see the refurbished room, breakfast offering and ongoing renovation work for yourself.
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