Latvian Guest House (72QT)

The Latvian Guest House (also known as “72 QT” or “72 Queensborough Terrace”), is a surprising and somewhat hidden budget hotel, offering 16 simple but well-maintained guestrooms a quick walk from Hyde Park in Bayswater. Free breakfast, Latvian touches, and cheap rooms all add up to an excellent London cheapo stay.

It’s easy to walk right past the Latvian Guest House from the street, as there’s not much of a sign and it looks just like another lovely Georgian-style townhouse. Once you’re buzzed in and catch sight of the hardwood floors and elegant staircase winding upstairs, you may still think you’ve shown up at the wrong address. But fear not: You’re in the right spot!

The establishment is an oasis of calm, offering basic, yet very clean rooms with some furniture carved from Latvian pine wood. Rooms are equipped with a TV and coffee and tea maker. Free Wi-Fi works throughout the hotel.

Most rooms share bathrooms and showers in the hallway, although all are equipped with a sink. Two rooms have their own private bath: one double and one family room that sleeps three to five guests.

So it’s quiet, inexpensive, clean and located near Hyde Park. Yet what makes the guest house special are the extra Latvian touches. Most of the employees are from the country, while the hotel’s cozy basement “Club Bar” is open Friday and Saturday nights and serves a selection of Latvian beers. A Latvian-style supper is also available on Friday and Saturday nights.

A cooked breakfast is included in the room rate.