My wife and I have stayed at both the Marriott Regents Park and the Maida Vale hotels in the past two months ( mid March and late April). I thought I would offer some comments/observations about the two properties for others who might be considering a London visit.

Both properties are very similar in price, style, atmosphere, and location to central London ( about 2 miles from the center). Either hotel is a good location for basing a London visit. They are both located on main streets in what I would call ordinary neighborhoods. Both are located within 5 minutes of an Underground station, and both are very close to bus lines. One could walk back to either hotel from Piccadilly/Leisceister Square/Trafalgar in about 90 minutes or so.

Both hotels are older properties that are well maintained. The lobby and public areas in both are clean and modern. Both have restaurants and both have bars/cafes where one can enjoy a drink or a snack. The bars are open late for those who like to kick back for a late drink. The staff at both hotels are friendly and courteous folks.

It appears to us that Regents Park is a popular destination for families and groups on the weekends as the place was really quite hectic and alive during our March visit. Breaksfasts were rather noisy and crowded at Regents while breakfast felt just a bit more subdued in Maida Vale's two-tiered restaurant ( I mean this as an observation and not a criticism as both restaurants were fine ). My wife & I did however enjoy the breakfast more at Maida Vale.

Rooms are clean and the standard Marriott product with TV, movies, ironing board etc. Closet space is more limited in Maida Vale. At Regents we have a standard room with a king bed. We also have a small balcony here. We bring our son along on our second visit in April and we have a room with 2 doubles at Maida Vale. It's a bit tighter this way, but that's how it is when a family travels. We get a courtyard view at Maida Vale, and the room is quieter and away from the street traffic. We were satisfied with both rooms.

Advance purchase rates can get a weekend room for £90 to £120 which include breakfast for 2 at either Maide Vale or Regents. But I suspect that rates and availibility will change at both properties now that tourist season approaches. In any case, room rates at both hotels are much less expensive than the more central London properties.

The only disadvantage to both hotels ( if one should even call it that ) is that a first time visitor might find it more difficult to get back to the hotel late at night after the Underground stops running. But both hotels have good concierge services and one only need ask some advice and obtain a bus route map to get back home smoothly. Walking back is also an option on a pleasant night. Once again, the new tourist will be a bit confused by London's streets, but a good map is all you need to find your way home and the neighborhoods are safe in my opinion.

Maida Vale is located closest to the Kilburn Park Underground station on the Bakerloo Line ( zone 2 ) while Regents Park is located near Swiss Cottage stop on the Jubilee Line ( zone 2 ). The hotels are themselves a 15 minute walk from each other, where they cross Abby Road of Beatles fame.

While neither hotel is a Chancery Court or County Hall type property, neither are the prices. We highly reccomend either hotel to the business or family traveler who wants a location near the center but doesn't want to pay the high prices of some of the more central properties. You will enjoy a quality Marriott stay.

Happy travels.

Barry