President - London

This pleasant three-star hotel is right on Russell Square. It’s looking good following its recent refurbishment.

The President hotel is set in historic Bloomsbury. The British Museum is a mere five minutes’ walk away and Oxford Circus just two stops on the tube from Holborn Tube Station. The Underground station is on a direct tube line to Heathrow Airport. Russell Square is a busy area where it’s easy to hail a taxi or hop on a bus. If you’re exploring London this is a great practical base, where you can relax after a long day sightseeing.

The rooms are pleasant and decent-sized. They’re cosy and decorated simply but prettily and the windows are angled for maximum sunlight with secondary glazing to cut down any outside noise. For lovely views down over Russell Square and minimal street noise, book a higher floor overlooking the leafy square. The quietest rooms face Guildford Street or Queens Street.

Start the day off with a full breakfast and indulge in a carvery supper at Saracen’s in the evening, or pop over to the Imperial hotel, connected via the atrium, and visit the Night and Day Bar. If you loiter here there’s jazz music every Friday and Saturday evening.

There is free WiFi available throughout the hotel.