London’s Limited Service Hotel Model

Limited service hotels make the most sense in expensive cities like London. These are hotels like the new Tune Hotel

: Liverpool Street, London. This type of hotel follows the new budget airline business model by offering the main service at a base price of £35 a night. In the case of the hotel that means the accommodation and for the airline it means transportation. Anything else is a bonus that you will pay extra to use.

These business models make the most sense to use as a self-proclaimed flashpacker. I recently stayed for a night in Tune Hotel’s newest London location near Liverpool street at 13-15 Folgate Street.

Liverpool Street advertisement

I took the tube to one of the most expensive area’s of London because of its excellent location in zone one. Liverpool Street is also one of the better area’s of London as it is a short walking distance to Old Street, Brick Lane, Petticoat Market, Spitalfields market, and other places. Unlike the rest of central London, this area feels younger and more bohemian. Besides the cool markets nearby its also within walking distance to St. Paul’s Cathedral

, the Tower of London

, and some other big tourist sites. It also mixes with London’s finance district which means its never feels to uncomfortable. Its really just the best of both worlds.

On the way from the station I walked through Spitalfields indoor market which sat just a block away from the actual hotel. I picked up a coffee and made my way into the hotel building on a side street just off the main one.

Despite it being advertised like a budget airline there were two easygoing staff manning the front desk. I provided my name and that was it. They provided me with the unbranded key card and a pamphlet advertising the hotel’s add-on services and general information. I got the feeling that the hotel intended to make me feel comfortable as one of the messages advertised was that the receptionists would gladly recommend places to visit nearby if needed.

Just down the hall I found my room for the night. As I scanned my card and opened the door I found a small but spotless room awaiting.

I will be honest. It was quite small. But seeing as its central London I don’t blame them. On the plus side the hotel room was beautifully decorated in simple and clean looking style.

I did not see one spec of dirt. No wrinkles in the sheets either. The mirrors were shining. If every budget hotel could look this clean and comfortable I wouldn’t bother staying anywhere else.

The bed comfortably fit two and felt like a bed that could compete with any other in a three to five star hotel.

Included in the room was a safe, flat screen TV, WiFi, A/C and heat, and blow dryer. Those these all cost extra depending on the time used.

Towels and toiletries could also be purchased at the front desk if needed. The same for early check-in and late check-out. Though the included 3PM check-in and 10AM check-out are pretty reasonable anyways.

The bathroom was sleek. The shower’s hot water worked well with lots of water pressure.

bathroom

The view was not to shabby either. I was situated in a nice room overlooking the hotel’s courtyard which could have been enjoyed during the summer while reading a nice book. But hey, that’s London.

A better overview of what a Tune Hotel looks like can be seen by watching this Tune Hotel Liverpool Street video.

As you can see staying in a Tune Hotel in London is worth it. It is not for those who look at the concept as if they are being nickle and dimed. But rather, for those travelers that know exactly which services they value most. As a Flashpacker location is most important. A warm, clean room with WiFi is the only thing else important enough for me to consider in an expensive city like London. The Tune hotel provides all of that.