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Overview of Kirkdale Hotel in Croydon
Kirkdale Hotel is a hotel in Croydon located at 22 St Peter’s Rd, Croydon CR0 1HD, United Kingdom. Most visitors searching from Google Maps, Yelp, or Tripadvisor are looking for one clear thing: a convenient place to sleep close to central Croydon, shops, and transport links. In that sense, the hotel’s strongest selling point is repeatedly the same across reviews—its location. Guests often describe it as close to the high street and convenient for moving around the area.
This hotel is generally considered by travelers who want a budget stay and are comparing options for a hotel in Croydon where price and convenience matter most. However, the guest feedback is strongly divided. A small number of reviews describe a stay that matched realistic expectations, praising affordability and convenience. Many more reviews raise serious concerns about cleanliness, maintenance, and reliability of service. That means it may suit only certain types of guests—particularly those who can tolerate a basic environment and want the cheapest practical option—while it may be a poor fit for anyone who needs comfort, quiet, and consistent standards.
What Kirkdale Hotel Offers
Kirkdale Hotel offers basic accommodation in a central Croydon area. For many guests, the purpose is simple: book a hotel in Croydon for an overnight stop, a short work trip, or a quick visit where the room is used mainly to rest rather than spend time inside.
Based on reviews, guests mention the following elements as part of the stay:
- Rooms intended for short stays with simple furnishings.
- Bedding that, according to multiple reviews, is often the cleanest part of the room.
- A kettle and tea/coffee in some rooms, though other guests report missing kettles or limited supplies.
- Heating that worked for at least some guests, with one review noting a working radiator.
- Breakfast included in some bookings, with mixed experiences about what was actually served.
Several travelers compare prices for hotel rooms in Croydon and consider this property when they want a low-cost option. One guest also highlighted free parking as a major advantage, describing it as valuable in an area where parking can be difficult or expensive. However, other reviews mention an unkempt car park and external areas that did not make a good first impression.
Rooms and Services: What to Expect at a Budget Hotel
Guest comments describe the rooms and overall building condition as highly inconsistent, but a clear pattern appears: many reviews mention an outdated property that has not been well maintained. This comes up in repeated references to worn carpets, old décor, and fixtures that appear damaged or missing.
Cleanliness and hygiene
This is the most common theme in negative reviews. Guests report strong smells on entry, including sweat, damp, mould, and cigarette smoke. Multiple reviews describe carpets as stained, sticky, filthy, or covered with debris. Some mention dirty tables in dining areas and handrails that felt sticky. In bathrooms, several guests report mould in showers, dirty sinks, and facilities that felt unhygienic or unsafe to use. A few reviews include especially concerning details about leftover items from previous guests and unclean mugs.
Maintenance and safety concerns
Many reviews mention broken or poorly functioning fixtures: windows that do not fit properly, locks that do not work consistently, hanging sockets, missing light covers, peeling wallpaper, damaged furniture, and bathrooms with broken shelves or fittings. Several guests describe squeaky beds, creaky floorboards, and doors that slam loudly, making it difficult to sleep. A number of comments suggest the place feels “run down,” with little investment in upkeep.
Noise and sleep quality
Noise is frequently mentioned. Guests describe the hotel as noisy, similar to a hostel environment, with creaky floors and loud doors. Some rooms are described as facing a main road, adding traffic noise. A few guests also mention police cars passing at night and external disturbances that affected rest.
Customer service and check-in reliability
Service feedback is mixed but leans heavily negative. Some guests describe staff as rude or unhelpful, and several report that customer service felt non-existent. There are also allegations of dishonest handling of bookings, including a guest claiming they could not enter despite having paid and that the hotel refused to acknowledge calls or messages. Another guest describes feeling uncomfortable at check-in when their booking could not be found, being moved between rooms after complaints, and encountering out-of-date items.
Breakfast experiences
Breakfast is repeatedly mentioned, often in a negative way. Several guests expected a “full English” breakfast and describe receiving very limited items—commonly just egg, beans, and toast—along with complaints about dirty dining tables and poor coffee quality. One guest reported being denied breakfast they had paid for across a week-long stay, receiving only a single boiled egg one day. On the other hand, at least one positive review said breakfast was acceptable for a budget stay and served its purpose.
What Guests Say: The Real Experience
Across the reviews, there are two consistent positives:
- Location
Many guests say the location is convenient, close to central Croydon, shops, and the high street. For travelers seeking a hotel near central Croydon, this is the strongest advantage. - Value potential for the right expectations
A small number of guests say that with realistic expectations for an overnight stay, the room was comfortable enough, and the low price made sense compared with other hotels nearby. One review praised the affordability, free parking, and the ability to use local transport links to explore the area, while also describing staff as friendly and attentive.
However, the most frequent criticisms are serious and repeated across many comments:
- Heavy cigarette smell, damp, mould, and unpleasant odours in rooms and corridors.
- Dirty and stained carpets, dusty furniture, and bathrooms that appear unhygienic.
- Poor maintenance, broken fixtures, and concerns about safety and basic standards.
- Loud, disruptive environment that prevents sleep.
- Service failures: lack of support when complaining, rude interactions, and booking/check-in issues.
- Mismatch between expectations and what was provided, especially regarding breakfast and basic amenities.
This combination leads many reviewers to advise avoiding the hotel entirely. That level of strong feedback suggests that anyone considering the property should weigh the location benefit against the risk of an uncomfortable stay.
Practical Tips Before Visiting
For a traveler still considering this hotel, practical planning can reduce surprises:
Choose it only if the priority is location and price
This property is most aligned with guests seeking the cheapest practical hotel in Croydon and who plan to spend minimal time in the room. Travelers seeking a quiet, well-maintained, or family-focused stay may find other options a better match.
Arrive earlier rather than late
A number of reviews suggest that service availability can be inconsistent and that check-in issues may happen. Arriving during normal hours can reduce the risk of delays.
Check the room immediately after access
Given repeated complaints about cleanliness, smells, and broken fixtures, it helps to assess the room right away—especially the bathroom, shower function, window and door locks, and general hygiene.
If breakfast is important, confirm what is included
Multiple reviews describe limited breakfast offerings compared to what was expected. Guests who rely on breakfast should verify what is actually served and whether dietary needs can be accommodated.
Bring essentials if choosing a low-cost stay
Some guests report missing basics such as working TVs, kettles, or adequate supplies. Travelers choosing the lowest-cost option may want to bring water and any small essentials they prefer to have.
If driving, evaluate parking conditions
One review praises free parking as a major advantage, but other reviews mention a neglected exterior and car park conditions. It is best to check this upon arrival and avoid leaving valuables visible.
Summary of Opinions (Review-Style)
Positive summaries
- A few guests with realistic expectations describe the stay as acceptable for an overnight stop, emphasizing affordability compared with other hotels in the area.
- Location is repeatedly described as convenient for central Croydon, nearby shops, and quick access to transport.
- One positive review highlights value, free parking, and friendly staff, describing the hotel as practical for a budget trip.
More neutral summaries
- Several stays appear to deliver basic shelter in a good location, but noise and outdated rooms can reduce comfort, especially for light sleepers.
- Clean sheets are mentioned as a consistent positive, yet many guests report poor cleanliness in the room and bathroom, along with maintenance issues that make the overall experience feel unreliable.