LONDON hotel prices can cost more than a holiday abroad these days, but one very central spot costs just £110 a night for two people – and it is all-inclusive.
Trudging through puddles from Marble Arch, I was on my way to one of the capital’s thousands of – just this one had a big promise.
One hotel in London claims to be all-inclusive from just £110 a night – so I tested it outCredit: Cyann Fielding
One of the bedrooms at the Z hotelCredit: Z HOTEL
Z Hotels Gloucester Place offers a room package that is all-inclusive – soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, snacks, lunch, dinner… you name it.
The hotel chain has 12 locations across and there is a room for each type of budget.
For example, you could stay in a Z Inside Double (which means no window) for as little as £50 in
Family rooms at the City site cost from just £100 a night.
And then of course, there is the Z Club room, exclusively at the Gloucester Place hotel – where each room features a king-size bed and all drinks and food are included in the price of the room.
This sounded to good to be true, so, of course, I had to put it to the test.
The evening all-inclusive food and drink experience
Just a 10-minute walk from tube station or five-minutes from Baker Street, Z Hotels Gloucester Place takes up six townhouses.
Guests can check-in at 3pm, which is exactly what I did to make the most of the offering and I kicked it off by immediately helping myself to my first can of Fanta.
After exploring my room (more on this later), I headed down to the kitchen area, that also doubles up as the reception for the building.
Upon arriving, the hotel was serving afternoon tea with different sweet treats and savory croissantsCredit: Cyann Fielding
I had a good selection and then was told I could also order from the day’s menuCredit: Cyann Fielding
I opted for a salmon and sauerkraut ciabatta and then in the evening had several plates of cheese and crackers, accompanied by some sauvignon blancCredit: Cyann Fielding
With my laptop under one arm and fluffy jumper under the other, I was ready to make myself comfortable and tuck into as many different food and drinks as I could.
At 3pm, they were offering an afternoon tea selection, which included ham and cheese croissants and a cake stand featuring macaroons, brownies, flapjacks, and pots of tiramisu.
I picked up a handful of sweet treats, including one of the croissants and helped myself to my second can of Fanta.
There was also a made to order selection on a dinner menu, which featured wide choice of sandwiches and salads.
I ordered the salmon and sauerkraut ciabatta.
The food was simple, but it was all tasty and reminded me of the sandwiches and cakes I usually pick up in one of London’s many hipster
However, this would usually set me back £18 for a coffee, pastry or cake and sandwich.
Just an hour later a selection of cheeses and crackers, with grapes, chutney, houmous and olives appeared.
I helped myself to the black bomber cheddar, with a dollop of caramelised onion chutney and some crackers.
For second helping I went for some olives, camembert and crackers.
Over the course of another hour, I went back and forth helping myself to the selection.
I was the only one there – though this was unusual according to the host.
As I enjoyed my plates of food, I also sipped on a glass of sauvignon blanc – one of three white wines on offer.
If I wanted to, I could have also opted for red wine, cider or beer as well.
After a couple of glasses, it was time for bed – with a suitably full belly.
The breakfast all-inclusive food and drink experience
When morning arrived, a breakfast spread included toast, flatbreads with omelette and bacon, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt and pastries.
I opted for some cold apple juice, and helped myself to a coffee, plus a tomato and cheese flatbread, some fruit compote and yogurt.
Before leaving I even grabbed a banana and coffee in a takeaway cup for the road.
But what was the room like?
Given the low price tag, wasn’t expecting plush velvet curtains and Egyptian cotton sheets but I was left pleasantly surprised on entering my room.
The ceilings where high, making the space feel bigger – not that the room was small.
Dominating the room, the king-size bed was inviting and the en-suite was also large, with a powerful shower and stacks of white towels.
Tucked around one corner of my room was an extension, where I found a hidden wardrobe equipped with hangers, an iron and ironing board and a hairdryer.
Two large windows looked out onto the pretty Marylebone street below with iconic occasionally driving past.
One of the bedside tables doubled up as a tea and coffee station, with a small kettle and two bottles of water, plus sachets of oat (and normal) milk – a lovely detail.
The room also had a TV with the on and switches by the bed included USB ports, both UK and and a dimmer switch for the light.
All in all, the room was simplistic, neat and clean – the only thing I would say it was missing was a floor length mirror.
The morning buffet was also impressive, with fresh fruit, pastries, yogurt, toast and filled flatbreadsCredit: Cyann Fielding
And the room wasn’t bad either – it was nice and spacious and felt comparative to a Travelodge or Premier InnCredit: Cyann Fielding
There was even oat milk in my coffee and tea station – something I don’t even get normally in pricier hotelsCredit: Cyann Fielding
Guests can dine in a kitchen area that also doubles up as the reception, and help themselves to drinks such as Fanta, Coke and teas and coffeeCredit: Cyann Fielding
Do you get bang for your buck?
This hotel is a genuine find.
Completely switching up the typical Z Hotels Gloucester Place gives some serious value for money.
Totting up all the food I had going off of the average prices usually found for each item inI spent way more than my £55-a-head price tag.
In comparison to other budget hotels, I would say the room itself is on par with and
But these in the same area cost considerably more.
For example, to stay at Travelodge Marylebone during the last couple weeks of October, you’ll likely pay £170.99 – and that is before WiFi (an additional £3.50) and breakfast (an additional £5.95 per person per day).
Hub by Premier Inn in is similar, with a one night stay on October 28 costing £199 for a standard room – you would then need to add £8 each for breakfast.
If heading to and wanting somewhere central to stay, I wouldn’t look at any other option – Z Hotels Gloucester Place really is the best offer out there – and you definitely won’t regret the gooey and decadent brownies.
If wanting to head outside of the UK for a holiday, here are for a summer vacation.
Plus, how to find
With the price technically sitting at £55 per head, I definitely got my money’s worthCredit: Cyann Fielding
It’s a must-book if heading to LondonCredit: Cyann Fielding 
