The Dolphin - London

United Kingdom , London
LONDON, Norfolk Square, 32-34
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100 reviews shown

6/10

Pleasant

11 Mar 2026

Julian

The hotel’s very well located, a few steps from Paddington Station in a nice square, but very noisy with spring loaded doors slamming all morning and evening.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

05 Mar 2026

Peter

Just had another one-night stay at The Dolphin Hotel, where I get a good welcome and a small room that is ideal for my brief stay. The room was clean and I appreciate the en-suite loo & shower and also the in-room coffee & tea making facility. The Hotel position is great for local shops and restaurants and more, as well as being near to Paddington Station, where there are Underground and Bus connections.

Self

4/10

Poor

17 Feb 2026

Maxwell

Very loud underground noises every time train went past, whole hotel should rumble and shake.

8/10

Excellent

15 Feb 2026

Benjamin

Staff were welcoming, room was a good size and everything needed for a very acceptable price, only issue was surrrounding the trains running through Paddington, the room was shaking everytine.

Self

8/10

Excellent

12 Feb 2026

Wendy

My dear friend and I spent six nights at the dolphin Hotel. The location is fantastic. The hotel is older, but it’s quaint. If you get the twin rooms, the beds are very close to each other. The staff are very kind. The rooms were very clean. We had a couple days where the hot water was a little dodgy, but all in all we enjoyed the hotel. It’s charm and the staff. We only had breakfast one day and it wasn’t great.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

05 Feb 2026

Ellen

All the staff were very accommodating - especially the breakfast room staff.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

04 Feb 2026

Daniel

Clean room, friendly staff

Business

4/10

Poor

02 Feb 2026

Veronica Herlinda

There was only one friendly face at lobby desk. Housekeeping staff were nice. Bed and pillows were terribly hard. Linens were very rough. No shampoo or wash towels.

Leisure

4/10

Poor

02 Feb 2026

Robert

Basement room with a loud boiler nearby enough to disturb, which along with the regular underground trains prevented meaningful sleep.

10/10

Exceptional

27 Jan 2026

Daniel

Nice room, friendly staff

Business

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jan 2026

Frank

Rooms were very nice and clean. The staff was very friendly. Location was right near Paddington station.

Leisure

6/10

Pleasant

21 Jan 2026

Jami

Close to Paddington, shops and restaurants. Clean enough - fresh towels. Easy check-in. A bit noisy with doors banging and room had a smell of smoke.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2025

David

Checked in at 1.30, very quick and friendly process, nice big, clean room with 4 beds, good shower etc, we all slept perfectly, no noise and was the perfect temperature (we came 20th Dec) . Lovely breakfast included in price, we had scrambled eggs on toast and some fruit.
Location was about 2 / 3 mins walk from paddington station incredibly easy to find! The hotel is a bit tired , but for the price we paid compared to other hotels, it was excellent, no problems at all.
Thank you :)

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

09 Dec 2025

Kyla

Clean, friendly, quiet and safe. It’s not fancy it’s not big but it’s everything you need for a great stay

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

06 Dec 2025

Giovanny

The room is fine, with a tea pot and a fridge. Breakfast buffet is great. The heater comes every now and then.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2025

Terry

The room was clean and adequate for a short stay, the staff was extremely helpful and assisted in getting me in early, and the overall atmosphere was like staying with a friend.

Self

4/10

Poor

26 Nov 2025

Suzanne

The hotel was pretty shabby with carpets in need of replacement on the stairs. My room was in the basement and was therefore too close to the underground. Extremely noisy and the room shook every time a train went under. I asked for a transfer but there were no other rooms. I won't book here again in case a basement room is allocated.

Business

10/10

Exceptional

17 Nov 2025

Andres

Clean rooms/bathrooms, friendly staff and great location. - Highly recommended.

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

16 Nov 2025

Andressa

The only good things: price and location. Everything else is trash. Unfriendly and unhelpful reception staff, super noisy, old and stuffy. Dirty walls and sheets.
You get what you pay for, put another $50 down and don’t go though this if you don’t need.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

14 Nov 2025

Robert

Stayed in single room 2nd floor & also a basement room: Poor condition, small especially 2nd floor room . No space to place or to open properly a carry-on sized bag. No air conditioner or even a fan. 2nd fl room has a bad mixer tap in the shower( very difficult to adjust temperature of water; risk of scalding is real). No hooks or rail to hang towels. Note the stairs are narrow . Staff are nice and helpful. Amenities like kettle, fridge , sachets of tea, coffee, milk and sugar supplied. The best part of this hotel is its location ( a 5 min walk to Paddington Station)

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Nov 2025

Pamela

Great budget hotel for our first night in London, family of 3. Clean sheets, comfy beds, hot showers, kettle in the room with tea/coffee and nice staff. Easily accessible from Paddington Station. Very small room and bathroom but manageable considering the price. They also allowed us to stow our luggage at no cost since we arrived from the US early in the day.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

11 Nov 2025

Andrew

Lovely staff and clean.

10/10

Exceptional

04 Nov 2025

maria elizabeth

I had a great stay at the hotel. I stayed for 13 days and never had a problem at the hotel. As mentioned in previous reviews you do hear the rumbling on the trains from the tube since you are close to paddington station. However the building does not shake it is just a light rumbling sound. The building does not shake like you are in an earthquake. So it really is such a non issue I was worried when I read that concern before I came. However now being there it was not bad at all.

This hotel as mentioned is very close to paddington station. Paddington station is a great station to catch multiple different trains. Very convenient for travelers to be near this station to get to tourist attractions easily. I am a woman who traveled solo and I never felt unsafe in the area. I walked at night with no concerns.

I recommend this hotel great location near a big station paddington. Friendly staff at the desk and good cleaning services provided by housekeeping crew. Also located around good restaurants.

Just an fyi for people who might have physical limitations the hotel does not have a lift (elevator) so be ready to lift your luggage up the stairs!

Self

8/10

Excellent

30 Oct 2025

Andrew

Breakfast choice was adequate. It was kept topped up, and although busy, provided what was needed. A larger dining area would be better, but they are limited with space.
Room and bed were comfortable, but noise from underground trains passing so close underneath was distracting. A good location and hotel for a couple of nights on a budget.

Self

8/10

Excellent

26 Oct 2025

Daniel

Great location, convenient to host 5 people in one room. Beds we're ok and clean. Breakfast was pretty good considering.

Less good: shower was feeble and cold (could just be the time we tried to use it?) and the room was shabby - heavy wear on the bedframes and flooring.

Pretty good value overall and we'd use it again, which says everything really.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

26 Oct 2025

Graham

Good location but does have noise and vibration from the underground. We had no hot water on arrival but this was resolved by morning. Breakfast is a good selection but needs to be kept warm as the toast amd eggs were cold. Room was clean and staff are helpful amd friendly.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

22 Oct 2025

Barbara

Nothing fancy, but clean & comfortable. Close to Paddington train station.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 Oct 2025

David

Breakfast was nice continental style with just about anything you could want. I like that it was included as it saves time and money, and that included breakfast is disappearing in this area that was once all b and b’s.
Building is old with no lift, but is well maintained and clean. The location is great if you are going to or coming from Heathrow, as the express train goes to Paddington station which is just a block away.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

16 Oct 2025

mandy

Basic bit dated but price was great and fine for overnight stop .even though it was dated it was clean and actually had a good nights sleep would recomend .

8/10

Excellent

15 Oct 2025

Robert

Very clean and great location.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

15 Oct 2025

Jane

Hotel ideally located for sightseeing in London.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

13 Oct 2025

Mina

Great family room

4/10

Poor

11 Oct 2025

Yvonne

The staff was not prepared fo the amount of people arriving at once. Rooms were not ready at check-in time, and we had to change for our conferencr in the lobby bathroom.

Leisure Friends

8/10

Excellent

11 Oct 2025

Brett

Quiet area but the tumbling of trains can be felt from the Paddington station. Room was adequate and as advertised. Washroom was a bit cramped but definitely functional to use.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

06 Oct 2025

Michele

Fantastic location; close to train station, many shops and restaurants in walking distance, close to Hyde park and Kensington Gardens.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

02 Oct 2025

Lesley

Look for my review previously posted. We were to be staying there Sept 21 - 23 and then the 23 to the 28th. We lasted one night and they advertised it is a superior twin room. What a joke.

Leisure Family

2/10

Poor

02 Oct 2025

Lesley

From the second that we arrived at your establishment we were thrown by just how deceiving the photos on expedia.ca were. Those depict a clean and welcoming place to stay. The dolphin hotel is the furthest thing from that. The sight of the stains on the carpet on the stairs and hallwat unsettling at best. We instantly started looking for another place to stay. The heater in the room did not work. There was a heater to plug into the wall that also did not work and had enough dust on the bottom of it for me to know that someone had not used it in years. The glasses in our room were dirt, there was hair in the shower as well. At this point, I would like to be fully refunded. The next step that I will take if that is argued with will be going to the authorities and whatever governing system you have in the city of London over cleanliness and hospitality. This is not a way to run a business. Or charge for people to stay there. I have been to hostels in Thailand that were more sanitary with less bugs. Your staff at the front desk both the night that we checked in in the morning we left were inhospitable and undeserving of a paycheck.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

30 Sep 2025

Neal

The bathroom and shower were tiny with horrible water temperature and flow. Everything was old and needs updating. But breakfast was OK.And location was good.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

30 Sep 2025

Sharon

Handy for Paddington. In an old house and I was on 4th floor so there were a lot of stairs, no lift. Not good for mobility issues.
Room was fine for one night.
Bathroom compact, shower good.
Fridge in room buzzed all night.
Did not hear outside noise.
Staff were helpful and quick.
Could leave luggage.

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

27 Sep 2025

Dale

Excellent location. Breakfast was okay. Rooms were tiny with double bed only, pushed up against wall. Had to crawl over spouse to get up. Would not recommend double bed room for couple.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

27 Sep 2025

Marie

A nice pub just down the street for a good meal.
Staff helpful.

Leisure Family

4/10

Poor

23 Sep 2025

Andy

Breakfast was cold, the toast was already done not fresh butter was rock hard , room was a basement very stuffy and hot, tube kept us up all night

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

20 Sep 2025

Kyungwon

No elevator, small bathroom, wobbling underground subway sound, ...

Business_and_leisure Family

2/10

Poor

17 Sep 2025

Coreen

We requested a lower level because we were traveling with an 82 year old. They never responded to tell us that wasn't an option so we assumed it was no problem. In hind sight I should have called them ahead of time, but they weren't very accomodating, so it probably wouldn't have helped us anyway. We arrived to find our room up 3 long flights of stairs with no elevator. The room was basically a dorm room. The shower was very slippery with no grab bar. It was hot in the room. We were very disappointed. We tried to move to another room and they offered us a room with bunk beds that still had flights of stairs. We attempted to get out of the reservation but they had no option for us. We should of stayed at the Hilton which was just a block or so away, but who knew. It was the only negative of our whole vacation, but we made the best of it. Our answer was to stay away from there as much as possible and that helped.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

12 Sep 2025

William

Excellent stay

We stayed for 3 days. Excellent service! Very friendly staff. Super convenient to many places we wanted to see. Thankfully, we were able to walk because there was a stroke going on for the trains and tube which caused grid lock. Definitely would stay there again

Partner

8/10

Excellent

10 Sep 2025

Dennis

There isn’t an elevator and lots of steps to climb to get to your room but overall a good experience would recommend

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

10 Sep 2025

Ashleigh

Very nice staff, easy check in and out. Small room and bed with basic amenities, good for a quick stay.

Business Self

10/10

Exceptional

29 Aug 2025

Gina

Only few minutes to the station and a diffrent buses around the àrea too. Retaurants nearby. Good wifi connection.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

26 Aug 2025

Jonathan

We traveled from the US to visit London for a few days. The location was excellent with many dining options, souvenir shops, and access to the Tube and buses. The room was clean, but small, and staff refresh towels each night. Even though the weather was 65-72degF and we slept with the window open, it was hot in the room with no airflow. The small oscillating fan they gave did nothing and we slept in minimal clothes and no covers. The bathroom was extremely small and smelled of mold but did the job I guess. Considering the price of other hotels in London, it was a reasonable room for the cost.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Aug 2025

Wasif

Just that there is no lift but it is a very good place to stay.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

21 Aug 2025

Wasif

My stay was very good. However, there is no lift which makes me wonder how would an elderly and disable person will go to their rooms.

Leisure Self

4/10

Poor

21 Aug 2025

Iain

Is what it is

8/10

Excellent

12 Aug 2025

Kaliyah

Great day. Right near Paddington train station so transportation was never an issue. The only thing I will say is if you have limited mobility, this may not be the place for you to stay. As there is no elevator in around four stories.

Leisure Self

6/10

Pleasant

06 Aug 2025

Maricel

Pros: •within walking distance to Paddington station, bus stops, hop on hop off bus stop, places to eat, souvenir shops •place was relatively clean. •Staff were friendly and helpful.

Meh: •Room was somewhat small; we were out most of the time, so we didn't mind as much. But the bathroom felt tiny. I bumped the shower door and got a bruise, while my mom said she had trouble sitting on the toilet, she's a bit bigger and kept knocking down the toilet paper. :/ also, you can hear the underground. We were on the 2nd floor and we're not light sleepers so it didnt bother us, but I could see an issue for some people.

Cons: •had trouble with shower water temperature, it would go between hot and cold. •no a/c; but they had an old fan to help but still was pretty hot at the end of july. •no stairs; so if you have a lot of luggage, keep that in mind.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

04 Aug 2025

John E

Fun in London

This was at the end of a 17 day trip and was great way to finish. A fun and unique hotel very close to Paddington Station.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

01 Aug 2025

Wai Bing

The location is really good, it close to the train station, restaurant and shopping center. The bed is noise when roll over. Staff is nice.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

31 Jul 2025

Sheila

No comp drinking water, no AC, very small room for 4. It’s probably a pov of a tourist since we are not from UK.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

29 Jul 2025

Patrick

👍

6/10

Pleasant

23 Jul 2025

Angela Sofia

6/10

Pleasant

21 Jul 2025

miguel

The hotel is too old and dirty especially the public areas not the room, that was too small.
They should be rated as a 1 and a half star not a 3 as they pubish in the networks

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2025

Mandy

So close to the station. Little hot in the room but a fan was provided. Love the fridge so helpful.

Business_and_leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

20 Jul 2025

Nicholas

Was a good stay.

4/10

Poor

19 Jul 2025

Verified traveler

No sleep!

On arrival the hotel was in a great location a few mintues by Paddington Station and the shops. Checking in was quick and staff was friendly. My room was ground floor with eveything I needed and clean. All too good to be true as the London underground runs right underneath my room and every 20 minutes the room was shaking. barely got any sleep, also 7 in the morning the cleaner was hoovering right by rooms door even when i put the do not disturb sign on my handle so my room was right by the breakfast room so i had so many noises with family, kids, screaming, plates, dishes. must of got about 3 hours sleep.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

17 Jul 2025

Kevin

We were on the fourth floor which was a 92nd second stair climb. The bathroom was the size of an RV bathroom with shower and there were four single beds. It was perfect. Great wifi, decent breakfast, friendly staff. The circle line runs it but the underground is part of the culture of London.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

13 Jul 2025

Lynn

Perfectly adequate for our needs. Round the corner from Paddington station. This is a Budget Hotel….so basic but clean friendly and by the beautiful Norfolk Gardens.

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jul 2025

Peter

Just had a one night stopover between train journeys.
It's clean, comfortable and only a couple of minutes from the station.
Would definitely use it again.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2025

Julie

I really enjoyed my short stay at the Dolphin Hotel, and would happily have stayed longer, or stay again. The only downside is the lack of air con (but a fan was provided) and the lack of lift given I had a large suitcase. Otherwise, it was a clean and tidy room with everything needed, and being so close to Paddington Station made getting around London very easy. The staff were all very helpful and friendly. For the price paid, I found this hotel great value. Would definitely recommend.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

02 Jul 2025

David

This was great, around the corner from paddington station, great cafes, restaurants nearby, the staff at the hotel was great, and the breakfast was good too.

6/10

Pleasant

02 Jul 2025

Verified traveler

One night at the Dolphin

The room was quite small, just barely wider than the twin bed therein. Some evening noise from adjacent buildings, which did 'stop' around 11pm or so. The fan helped me to sleep that night, and it was an overnight stop for me so I could catch an early plane out of Heathrow the next day. The price was good; however, I would not stay for more than a day - even though it is conveniently located close to Paddingon and Hyde Park.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jul 2025

Erica

Very nice hotel, just blocks from the paddington station and the hop on off bus is right on the corner. I would recommend this hotel and would gladly stay there again. But be aware there is no air conditioning and there are a decent amount of stairs to tote your luggage up if you get rooms on higher floors.

Leisure Family

6/10

Pleasant

26 Jun 2025

Serena

Easy walking to the underground getting to the

8/10

Excellent

20 Jun 2025

Jenny

Very good location, close to public transportation, very convenient ! Breakfast OK , but if you have to leave early morning, they do not offer a breakfast bag.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

19 Jun 2025

Patricia

This hotel needs an overhaul; not appropriate for older people unable to carry luggage to 3rd floor. I've been coming here for many years, nothing has changed. It's such a convenient but needs much upgrading. Staff are wonderful in assisting any way they can but I'm not likely to come here in future.

8/10

Excellent

19 Jun 2025

karen

Access to everything, and outlook over the square.

Leisure Partner

8/10

Excellent

16 Jun 2025

Patricia

Staff was amazing, rooms and inside are clean. There's a park across and surrounding buildings have renovations. The rooms are hot and a gap on the balcony opens for cool air, but people smoke right outside and fills the room like they are inside. If there's a.c I would stay again.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

16 Jun 2025

Jenna

Good hotel for the price. Great location next to Paddington station, but because of that, you can hear the trains at night and in the morning.

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

12 Jun 2025

Ben

Great location really near to Paddington station. Hotel totally fine for a one night stay, but the room was very small and the bed very hard

Business Self

8/10

Excellent

11 Jun 2025

Dominic

Très bien situé. Près des services et de la station de métro Paddington.Grande chambre pour la famille. Très bon service .Point négatif, très bruyant car on entend les métro passer. Pas d'air climatisé.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

10 Jun 2025

Regan

simple and easy. in a good area, especially for transit

10/10

Exceptional

05 Jun 2025

Scott

Comfortable, affordable hotel near Paddington Station. Small room but worked well for a couple of nights to easily get around London.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

31 May 2025

Anthony

location & quality & condition of hotel

10/10

Exceptional

30 May 2025

Sreeparna

Very good location, close to most tourist attractions! Breakfast was ample. Staff were friendly.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

30 May 2025

Joy

There is no elevator and staff are only available at limited times to assist if at all. No commitment to help.

Breakfast was good.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

28 May 2025

Lynley

Like staying in Paddington for the convenient transport options. First time at the Dolphin. Would stay again. Breakfast buffet good value at £7. I was in a basement single room. Excellent shower and room space. Yes, the staircases are steep and the rumble of the trains can be heard but hey, this is historic London. Just go with it and enjoy.

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2025

Sharon

We love the history of the building. The room was so cute! The room was clean, good size and had the cutest window looking out toward the square. We enjoyed our stay.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

25 May 2025

Verified traveler

Room ok, breakfast limited.

There was work happening to front of building where bedroom was situated and this was not communicated before the stay. Breakfast choice was poor and want ready at start of opening.

Self

8/10

Excellent

24 May 2025

Debra

The room was basic, but it was spotless and the bed comfortable. Huge plus is the small fridge in the room. The staff was so helpful and friendly. The site makes it clear that there is no lift, but I had a suitcase that I wasn't going to need during my stay and hoped not to have to lug it up four flights of stairs. The staff so very kindly let me put it in their left luggage area, which saved my back! You cannot beat the location as well, with public transportation two blocks away and restaurants everywhere. Terrific accommodations!

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

24 May 2025

Stephen

Had a comfortable stay and will likely stay there again. Very convenient location.

Leisure Partner

6/10

Pleasant

22 May 2025

Joe

The photos on Expedia made the property seem nice than it was, the rooms felt more like an outdated hostile than a $200 a night hotel room.

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2025

Marilyn

great location. delicious buffet breakfast❤️

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

09 May 2025

Lynley

Location and access to transport and general facilities while in London

Leisure Self

10/10

Exceptional

29 Apr 2025

Aaron

Easy to get to from the station. Looked after our bags. We were on the basement floor so could hear the underground a little. May bother a lighter sleeper but otherwise all good!

10/10

Exceptional

26 Apr 2025

Raúl

La tranquilidad es lo que más se busca

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

25 Apr 2025

Collette

Great stay , perfect location for getting around London. Breakfast was great too . Would recommend and will be back

Leisure

8/10

Excellent

18 Apr 2025

Shaun

Good service

Business Self

6/10

Pleasant

15 Apr 2025

Christopher

Bit dated, investment needed to modernise the hotel rooms. Friendly staff and great location.

Leisure Self

8/10

Excellent

08 Apr 2025

Thomas

Very economic. Certainly not the fanciest but that’s the point. It’s a nice cheaper option especially for the location. Easy access to train station. Lots of shopping and dining in walkable area. Near Hyde park. The breakfast was just okay and the shower temp was a bit hard to manage. But price for location it’s perfect.

Leisure Self

2/10

Poor

06 Apr 2025

Gerardo

Construction, noise from that a shaking from subway trains every few mins in the room, terrible and no offer to decrease cost it was just what it is

Leisure Friends

4/10

Poor

06 Apr 2025

KERRY

Very shoddy needs updating and redecorating.Very noisy room as it was right near the station.The fridge was so noisy in our room we had to unplug it The curtains didn't pull and were very old and outdated.We will not be coming back

Leisure Friends

6/10

Pleasant

03 Apr 2025

Steve

Well located at Paddington with restaurants, mostly middle eastern in the area. Property undergoing renovations which are needed. As a low cost (for London) property expect lots of school groups. Only real concern was the bed which very much needs to be upgraded but which was adequate. Also a lot of stairs and no lift. Overall I was happy with the property and the staff were very accommodating. Breakfast was OK but nothing special.

Leisure