This is very much a family business isn’t it? I’ve just had the pleasure of meeting your father and your wife. Tell me a little bit about your family and the hotel.

Yes, it started with my grandparents running a bed and breakfast here in the 1960s. My parents were running a dairy up in north London that they sold to come here. They bought the building next door and joined it into the hotel, and I eventually came to work here too. Me and my dad are here everyday.

Approaching the Ridgemount Hotel on Gower Street.

People must really enjoy that personal touch. Is that what makes the Ridgemount hotel special, do you think?

Yeah, it’s not really everywhere you get the owners in from seven in the morning until 6pm. My dad goes round at breakfast every day and asks people where they are going, and people really seem to like that.

It’s nice working with your family. We’re very lucky with the people we have working here as well. The longest one has been here 25 years, and the next one up from that has been here 15. No one has been here less than five. So we all know each other well and that’s nice too.

Do you have lots of repeat visitors who have got to know you and your family over the years?

There are some people we’ve got in at the moment who were showing us a picture they took in our dining room in the 1980s. My mum and dad look really funny in it! There’s another couple staying who were here 20 years ago. Most of our business is repeat or word of mouth recommendation.

Aside from the personal touch you offer, what else do people like about staying at the Ridgemount?

We’ve got a very good location here, near the University and the British Museum and you can walk to lots of places. People who stay here love the location. It’s a handy spot.

A lot of people also like the history. This is an old Georgian building with a lot of stories! My wife researched the history last year and it’s now up on the website. She did quite a lot of research into who lived here and the history of the buildings and the previous tenants. One of Jack the Ripper’s victims, Long Liz, actually used to live here, in the 19th century.

And has the area changed a lot since your family has owned the hotel?

Well, back in the day, all the hotels on the street used to be privately owned and you knew everyone. Now, it’s not like that any more and four or five are chains, or you don’t know who owns them, and the hotels have become quite generic. It is a real shame. That’s the main change on the street.

What are your favorite local spots?

It’s a good area with lots of traditional restaurants. Gigs, the Fish and Chips shop near Goodge Street, does really, really good fish and chips. And I’m fussy about my fish and chips. Then there is Mondello, a family run Italian restaurant that has been there for a long, long time. And the owners are there every night too. There’s also the Italian Coffee Company and they do slices of pizzas for a few quid. You can get really good cheap food around here.

And what would be your more unusual recommendations for places to visit around London?

I like the Churchill War Rooms–the people who do go there always really enjoy it. The markets as well. Borough Market is very popular, and Spitalfields market and Portobello are really interesting too.

What’s a good cheapo tip for London visitors?

The Gatwick Express does a four-for-two offer, which they don’t really advertise. There’s lots of stuff that’s cheaper online, such as the Big Bus tours or Madame Tussauds. It’s always worth looking online for vouchers: Café Rouge has usually got an offer on, for example.

What’s next for the Ridgemount?

At the moment half the hotel is basic [shared bath], and half is en suite. Our en suite rooms are always booked up, but it’s getting harder to fill the basics, so we’re gradually changing them over.

And the dining room is new. It used to be half a dining room on one side, and half the other side from back when it was two hotels. We’ve just knocked the wall down. On the website, I believe the picture of the dining room is still our old one. It’s a bit silly to keep it up there but I like it as people keep telling us how much nicer our dining room is now!

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us, Aled. Continued success with the Ridgemount!

For more information on the Ridgemount, read our full review here.

The post Hotel Q&A: London’s Ridgemount Hotel on keeping it personal appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

These days, the rates are still among the most affordable in Florence, while they’ve introduced some amenities not even contemplated back in 2002 (Wi-Fi anyone?). But what’s changed since they opened, and what advice do they have for Florence-bound tourists?

We sent correspondent Taylor Zerbey to speak with Samanta and Marco recently. Here’s what she learned.

1. First off, why did you name your hotel the “Hotel Dali” ?

Samanta: Before, the hotel had been named “Pensione Orologio,” and it’s located on via dell’Oriuolo, so we thought that it would have been impossible to spell it over the telephone to our guests, so we looked for another name.

We both love art, we have many friends that paint, do photography etc, so we really wanted to give a personal touch to this small place by showing off their works… we thought that Dalì (from Salvador Dalì) was the perfect name: international, short, easy to spell, and a crazy man like us (as we were starting this business with no experience and a lot of debts).

And last but not least, when you pronounce “DALi” you end up with a smile on your face… so we thought it was a good sign!

2. What advice do you have for travelers visiting Florence for the first time?

Take your time, don’t rush—remember “Dolce Vita.” If possible spend more than one night. I know that you may have only a short time to see Italy, but Florence, as every other city in Italy, deserves time, calm, to feel the city, the people, the food. Otherwise when you get back home you won’t remember the differences between Florence, Rome, Pisa or Naples and differences are what make Italy such a beautiful country.

3. The best cheap meal in Florence?

We like to suggest Zio Gigi (Via Folco Portinari, 7-r) and Masticabrodo (Borgo Allegri, 53), two small trattorias close to the hotel where you can have a full meal for €20. Otherwise, head to any “pizzicheria” and “gastronomia” to grab a panino with anything you want inside for fast food Italian-style.

4. Don’t leave Florence without… ?

• Climbing the stairs to Piazzale Michelangelo, the most beautiful view of the city free of charge!

• Talking about food: Try ribollita in the wintertime and panzanella in summer time, for those that like strong flavored “lampredotto” panino.

• Getting lost, wandering through the small street of Oltrarno will make you feel like you are living in another century.

5. In which ways do you see Florence changing?

Many of the old shops have been obliged to close and give up their space to big companies selling fast food or junk or low quality coffee, places that are the same all over the world and serve the same things everywhere. As I said, differences are the most precious things we have, and I feel scared when I see that the city is starting to look similar to a mall.

6. What do you find travelers struggling with the most when they first come to Florence? Do you find they arrive with any misconceptions?

They certainly “struggle” with traffic and the complicated one-way system in this town, but even if Florence is not a good place travel by car, most people still use a car.

The misconception may be that they don’t feel safe and they need to be reassured by us that nothing will happen to them.

7. Are there any special offers going on that Cheapos should know about?

During springtime there is a “week of culture” when all the state museums are free. And from mid-November to mid-March it’s low season, so prices everywhere are much cheaper.

Thanks so much for your time, Samanta and Marco! We wish you continued success with the Hotel Dali!

You can read our review of the Dali here.

The post Q&A: Samanta and Marco of the Hotel Dali in Florence appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Q. Tell me a bit about the hotel.

My grandfather started this place in 1970, when he bought the Luna side and it’s been in the family since then. It’s now in the hands of my father and uncle. The Luna bit of the name came about because of a rocket launch at that time – it means “moon” in Italian.

In 1986, they bought the Simone. The previous owner had named it after his niece, whose name was Simone. He would sell, but said the name had to stay the same. So basically, they said, “what if we join the two names together?” Hence the Luna & Simone.

Q. The fact it’s a family business must shape the character of the hotel?

My uncle and father are here at breakfast, and pop in and out. I’ve been working here since I was 16, with a break to study hospitality at university, and I work here in the afternoons. The friendship of the staff is very important as well. The staff is mainly family but, of those who aren’t, I don’t think there is anyone who has been here less than seven or eight years. That’s like a family, which is very important to the business of course. It makes it a very family friendly hotel.

Q. Has the area changed a lot over the years?

I lived around the corner until I was four, and moved back here after university. It’s much cleaner now. The number of hotels has expanded over the years, because it’s such a good location. There are also so many restaurants now – 20 or 30 restaurants close by. In the area, they’re spending billions on the redevelopment of Victoria at the moment, and Battersea Power Station too. It’s changed a lot.

Q. What do you like about your location?

It’s excellent for getting about London, and to and from the airports too. We’re close to Victoria Station and Pimlico, and the number 24 bus is a big plus as well. It goes to Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square, all the way up to Camden Town. We’re very lucky to have that bus!

Q. What do you advise your guests to do in London?

Take a trip on the 24 bus up to Camden to see the markets. Portobello is worth a visit too, to visit the antiques market. I like the Natural History Museum – the museums are free to get into – and the Tower of London is one of my favorites as well.

There are some great deals on theatre tickets if you go to the half-price ticket booth in Leicester Square and if you don’t mind going on the day, and are not too fussy about what you see.

My personal opinion is that eating round here, in the local community is better value and much nicer than eating right in the centre.

Q. Is there anything that visitors to London should be prepared for?

The size of the rooms! This building is historic, built in 1845, which means the rooms are smaller than our customers might expect. I remember going to Las Vegas and getting a huge room – London certainly isn’t like that. Our philosophy is good, clean rooms and at a good price for this location.

Thank you Mark!

The post Hotelier Q&A: Mark Desira of Luna & Simone Hotel, London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

Tell me about how you came to be running the Celtic Hotel.

I came from Italy after the war. I was a trained teacher and I thought that by working in London, I would learn English. Instead I met my husband, fell in love and that was it!

I’ve been here 47 years, and it’s five years since I’ve been managing the Celtic. My husband and his family have always lived in Bloomsbury, Russell Square. And I loved this area too. There’s the British Museum, Charles Dickens House, Sir John Soane Museum. It’s a very interesting, smart area. It’s full of history.

Rosanna Marazzi is one of the proprietors of the Celtic Hotel in London.

This building looks like it’s full of history too.

It’s Grade II listed. I would think it dates to the 19th century. It’s different to the standard hotel. The way it looks and the way it’s shaped, it reminds you of the past. Some of the rooms are small – in London space is so precious! We think that the three buildings forming the present hotel were a private residence. Most rooms still have the original fireplaces and the lovely high ceilings.

Whilst doing renovations, we discovered some pretty earthenware chamber pots in a partition. They were probably from the early days when ensuite didn’t exist, even in palaces. There are only 14 of them left now, as people wanted them as historical souvenirs. I use mine as flowerpots.

And I can see from the scaffolding outside, you’re doing further renovations?

We’re re-painting and repairing the front of the building and, at the end, it will be complimented with window flower boxes. The interior is pleasant and homey.

Have you had regular visitors over the last five years?

Yes, I would say that we have had regular visitors for many years as they followed us from St. Margaret’s, our previous hotel. Some have become dear friends. In many cases we have the privilege of welcoming the first and second generation of various families. Many people from all over the world call the Celtic hotel “our home in London” as they did for St. Margaret’s hotel.

Is it that feeling which makes the Celtic Hotel unique, do you think?

Yes, and it is the kind, friendly and respectful service we offer to all visitors because we wish them to go away with happy memories to cherish. We have been and are rewarded with a very positive response.

That must help you enjoy your work.

Yes, I enjoy meeting people and working with good staff who share the same attitude.

And finally what do you advise your guests to do in London?

Visit the superb museums, which are free of charge, the art galleries and historical palaces. I also suggest visiting the financial part of the city which embraces the very antique architecture of Roman walls, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, many old churches and striking modern architecture such as the “Gherkin” and the Lloyds building. I’m not keen on the height, but I think the Shard is unbelievable. It’s a very different side of the city, as is Canary wharf.

Theaterland is within walking distance of the hotel and is also on our list of suggestions. After that I say, go and see the gardens because you see history there. We have so many gardens around us: Russell Square, Queen’s Square, Coram’s Fields, Tavistock Square, Lincoln’s Inn Fields.  You walk for a bit and you find yourself in another one. They’re unique. It’s all part of the London experience.

Thanks for talking with us, Rosanna! We wish you continued success with the Celtic Hotel.

The post Favorite Proprietors Q&A: Rosanna Marazzi of the Celtic Hotel in London appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.