Background
Travelodge London Manor House opened in July 2021, shortly after Covid-19 rules for the hospitality industry were relaxed in May of that year.
The 143-room new-build property falls under the group’s Travelodge Plus category, which was launched in 2018 but which has to some extent been superseded by Travelodge’s “budget-luxe” revamp which began rolling out in 2022.
The hotel also features the group’s SuperRooms concept, with enhanced amenities including Lavazza coffee machines and Hansgröhe Raindance shower, as well as a choice of firm or soft hypoallergenic pillows.
Where is it?
On Seven Sisters Road, opposite Finsbury Park and right next door to the entrance to Manor House Underground Station which is on the Piccadilly Line.
Note that there is another Travelodge on Seven Sisters Road at the lower end of the park, close to Finsbury Park Underground Station, which is about 10-15 minutes’ walk from Manor House station.
What’s it like?
The ground floor of the property houses an open plan reception and Bar Cafe, with a vending machine just to the left as you walk in.
There is a mixture of dining table and communal seating options, as well as a bank of high stool seating looking out of the front window, with access to plugs and USB ports. This area feels bright and welcoming with a pleasant decor of whites and pastel colours.
When I checked in on a Saturday afternoon in early July the hotel was very busy as there was an event happening in Finsbury Park, but I was quickly seen and the receptionist explained details including breakfast times and free internet provision (see more on both of these below).
Rooms
I was staying in a standard room on the first floor of the hotel, looking out onto Seven Sisters Road, with good quality blackout curtains meaning that the room stayed dark until I opened them to bright sunshine the next morning.
The Travelodge Plus concept features a king-size signature Dreamer bed in all rooms, with small alcoves on either side of the headboard which have both plug sockets and USB ports – indeed I counted at least eight plugs and six USB ports throughout the room which should be plenty even for guests travelling with several devices.
Other facilities in standard rooms include a desk and chair with reading lamp, a small kettle with two cups and some coffee / Typhoo tea bags, open hanging space with six hangers, and an armchair in the corner of the room.
The bathroom had that pre-fabricated feel to it that you often see in budget hotels, but the shower itself was powerful. There was a dispenser for hand wash by the basin which unfortunately was empty, but thankfully the hair / body wash dispenser in the shower was full so I was able to use that.
The room count is split across 68 standard double, 45 Family Rooms and 30 SuperRooms, with the last of these offering upgraded amenities including Lavazza coffee machines, a larger desk, a choice of firm or soft hypoallergenic pillows, mood lighting, and iron and ironing board and a Hansgrohe Raindance three-jet shower.
All guests get 30 minutes of free wifi (registration necessary), with further access costing from £3 for 24 hours, up to £35 for a month (for more details on this click here). I was only staying for one evening so the free access was sufficient, and I was able to read my emails and watch a short video on the BBC website without issue.
Food and drink
Travelodge’s Unlimited Breakfast offering is served between 0700 and 1000 on weekdays, and between 0800 and 1100 at weekends (although when I got downstairs at 0750 on a Sunday morning everything was already out and ready for service).
It costs £10.25 per adult, and includes a good range of buffet options, including a hot breakfast, cereals, breads, bagels, yoghurts, a coffee machine and a juice station.
Staff were prompt on clearing away used plates, and were polite and friendly – one saw that I was taking a croissant back to my table, and offered for it to be heated up in the kitchen which I gladly took advantage of.
A large range of meals, snacks and drinks is also available – there’s no room service so guests must order at the bar. Dishes include pizzas, burgers, Keralan cauliflower curry, steak and ale pie and mash, half a roast chicken, sticky toffee pudding and chocolate fudge cake.
A meal deal including a main course and dessert costs £13.50, and light bites including nachos, chicken wings, sweet potato falafel and mini sausages are also available for £10.75 for any three choices.
Meetings
None
Leisure
None
Verdict
A modern new-build hotel with good transport links to St Pancras International and the Eurostar. I was impressed by the public areas and the breakfast food offering.
FACT BOX
- Best for The location right next to Manor House Underground station
- Don’t miss The good range of options available at the breakfast buffet
- Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in July start from £117 for a standard room, and £175 for a SuperRoom (not including breakfast)
- Contact Travelodge London Manor House, 422 Seven Sisters Road, London, N4 2LX; +44 8719 846568; travelodge.co.uk
