Please select your travel dates to see rates and availability
Check In
Check Out
1 room2 guests1 room, 2 guests
Info
Summary of reviews'Black Lion' in Surbiton has garnered positive feedback across several categories. Its prime location near Surbiton train station provides easy access to London, Kingston and Wimbledon, making it highly convenient for travelers. The close proximity to attractions like Hampton Court Palace enhances its appeal, while the tree-lined streets and village-like charm of the area add to the overall experience. Guests are able to enjoy easy street parking and excellent transport links, further adding to the convenience.
The hotel does not serve breakfast onsite, which some guests found disappointing. However, the absence is mitigated by a highly praised café across the street that offers an excellent breakfast experience. The availability of free coffee round-the-clock is appreciated, though an in-house breakfast option would greatly enhance guests' stay.
Guests have had notably positive dining experiences at the hotel's pub, particularly lauding the pizzas as delicious and well-prepared. The pub's inviting atmosphere, coupled with good food, drink and live music, creates an enjoyable setting. Staff are also accommodating, serving food even late at night, which adds to the overall positive dining experience.
The rooms at 'Black Lion' are frequently praised for their cleanliness, comfort and spaciousness. They are well-maintained with clean bedding and modern bathroom facilities. Despite being located above a pub, rooms are surprisingly quiet, especially those on the upper floors. Any minor issues, such as missing bedside lights, do not significantly detract from the overall positive assessment. Guests find the accommodations suitable for both short and extended visits, offering good value for money.
Cleanliness is a standout feature with frequent mentions of spotless rooms and bathrooms. The hotel's hygiene standards are high and the cleaning staff is diligent in restocking essentials. The overall atmosphere is friendly and welcoming, significantly contributed by the excellent staff who are frequently described as friendly, helpful and accommodating. Specific staff members are often mentioned for their exceptional service, enhancing the overall guest experience.
Beds are another highlight, often described as comfortable, clean and well-maintained, providing a restful night’s sleep. Although there are occasional criticisms about the WiFi connectivity with guests experiencing weak signals or spotty service, the general consensus remains positive toward the overall stay experience.
The Black Lion is presented as a budget-friendly, three-star hotel that offers good value for money. Despite some recommendations for updates to the décor, the comfort and cleanliness of the accommodations are commendable. Combined with its convenient location and excellent staff, Black Lion ensures a comfortable and pleasant stay for travelers. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Small Guest House
3-Star Guest House
Room Types
Triple RoomThis triple room features an en suite bathroom, a private entrance, fireplace and a flat-screen TV.
Quadruple RoomThis quadruple room has an en suite, a private entrance and a fireplace
Budget Single RoomThis single room has an en suite bathroom.
Standard Twin RoomOffering free toiletries, this twin room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This twin room features a private entrance, soundproof walls, flat-screen TV with cable channels, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit offers 2 beds.
Economy Double RoomFeaturing free toiletries, this double room includes a private bathroom with a walk-in shower and a hairdryer. This double room has a private entrance, soundproof walls, flat-screen TV with cable channels, as well as wine/champagne for guests. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
7.5
Good
Location
The Black Lion boasts an exceptional location in Surbiton, making it an ideal choice for travelers. Its proximity to Surbiton train station ensures ease of access, providing convenient connections to London, Kingston and other neighboring towns like Wimbledon. Numerous guests appreciated its central spot, which places them within walking distance of a variety of shops, bars and restaurants.
The hotel’s location is praised for being particularly advantageous for specific events and venues, such as Hampton Court Palace, the Hampton Court Garden Festival and Glenmore House. The scenic Thames path walk to Kingston is also just a short stroll away.
Aside from the fantastic location, guests frequently mentioned the area's charm, highlighted by its tree-lined roads and village-like feel. The convenience extends to practicalities such as easy street parking and excellent transport links, including bus routes that facilitate getting around.
Overall, the Black Lion's prime location, combined with a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff, ensures a comfortable and convenient stay in Surbiton.
Breakfast
The Black Lion stands out as a lively and enjoyable pub, a cornerstone of why guests opt to stay there. However, it doesn’t provide breakfast on the premises, a fact that some guests find disappointing, especially given the nightly rate. Despite this, the presence of an excellent café conveniently located across the street, often referred to as the Surbiton café, receives high praise. This nearby option delivers a great breakfast experience, mitigating the absence of a meal service at the hotel itself. Guests appreciate the 24/7 availability of free coffee, but frequently mention that having an in-house breakfast option would enhance their stay significantly. Overall, the alternative breakfast venue does provide a satisfactory solution for morning meals.
Dinner
Guests have had a positive dining experience at Black Lion, particularly praising the pizzas, which were described as cracking, delicious and excellent. The home-cooked pizzas stood out as a highlight. The atmosphere of the pub, coupled with the food, drink and live music, also contributed to the enjoyable experience. Moreover, the staff's willingness to serve food even at later hours, such as 10:30 pm, was appreciated. While some guests enjoyed meals at nearby establishments, including a superb Indian restaurant called Red Rose, the overall consensus is that the food and environment at Black Lion's own dining facilities were lovely and highly recommendable.
Rooms
The rooms at 'Black Lion' are generally praised for their cleanliness, comfort and spaciousness. Many guests found them to be well-maintained with clean bedding, spotless bathrooms and proper facilities. Despite being located above a pub, numerous guests noted that the rooms were surprisingly quiet, especially those on the upper floors. Accommodations ranged from basic to pleasantly decorated and a few comments highlighted the comfortable mattresses and modern bathroom facilities.
However, some guests pointed out that a few rooms were on the smaller side and there were minor inconveniences such as missing bedside lights or difficult-to-open windows. The hotel offers good value for money considering its central location, which is convenient for nearby venues and amenities. Those who stayed in the larger rooms appreciated their spaciousness and found them to be airy and well-equipped.
In terms of drawbacks, occasional noise from the pub below was mentioned, though it was not universally experienced. Overall, the rooms at 'Black Lion' provide a clean, comfortable stay and are suited for both short and extended visits with a welcoming and friendly staff contributing positively to the experience.
Beds
Black Lion is receiving glowing reviews for the comfort of its beds. Guests frequently highlight the comfortable, clean and well-maintained beds, making for a restful night's sleep. They often describe the beds as comfy with plenty of pillows and warm, clean, white linens. While there was a mention of a mattress being a bit hard for one guest, the consensus leans heavily toward satisfaction. Rooms are noted for their spaciousness and are frequently described as clean and safe, catering well to groups and families. One review mentioned a minor issue with a bed's stability, but overall, the accommodations offer very comfortable beds, ensuring an excellent night’s sleep for most visitors.
Cleanliness
The guest reviews of Black Lion highlight its excellent standards of cleanliness and comfort. Many reviewers praised the cleanliness of both the rooms and bathrooms, repeatedly describing them as very clean, spotlessly clean and exceptionally clean. The hotel maintains high levels of hygiene with clean sheets, towels and bed linens frequently mentioned.
Guests noted the comfortable and cozy nature of the rooms with additional comments on modern, functional bathrooms and well-lit spaces. The attentive cleaning staff were appreciated for their efforts to restock essentials like coffee and milk.
Reviewers also mentioned the friendly and helpful staff, contributing to a positive and welcoming atmosphere. The location is also considered great and the hotel seems to offer good value for money, despite a few mentions of higher costs.
There were isolated comments about cleanliness issues, such as an instance of vomit on the stairs and a general smell in the evening, suggesting that these could be occasional lapses rather than the norm. Overall, the positive feedback on cleanliness and comfort dominates, making Black Lion highly recommended for those prioritizing these aspects in their stay.
Staff
The Black Lion is consistently praised for its outstanding staff, who are frequently described as friendly, helpful and accommodating. Guests highlight their warm welcomes, noting that the staff could not have been more helpful throughout their stay. The team, including managers and the owner, are often lauded for their exceptional hospitality and professionalism, making guests feel at home from the moment they arrive. Specific mentions of staff members like Stacey and Lyndsay show personalized touches that enhance the overall experience. Whether it’s accommodating early check-ins or going out of their way to assist with specific needs, the staff at Black Lion are dedicated to ensuring a memorable and enjoyable stay for all. The overwhelming consensus is that the team’s friendliness and attentiveness significantly contribute to the positive atmosphere at the hotel.
Wi-Fi
The WiFi at Black Lion has received mixed reviews from guests. While some visitors found the WiFi to be great, a majority highlighted issues with connectivity and reliability. Guests frequently mentioned that the WiFi signal was weak, often not reaching their rooms and sometimes even non-existent. The connection was described as spotty and unreliable with some experiencing problems at specific times, such as midnight. Both cell service and broadband connections were also noted to be subpar, impacting overall internet accessibility throughout their stay.
3 Star
Black Lion is an ideal choice for travelers seeking a budget-friendly, three-star accommodation that delivers good value for money. The hotel provides comfortable beds and clean rooms, making it a decent spot to rest your head. While the décor might need some updates with suggestions for new paint and carpeting, the overall cleanliness and comfort are commendable.
Located conveniently close to the station, it offers easy access to transportation. The larger rooms exude a cozy, homely atmosphere and the friendly staff add to the welcoming environment. Whether you're in town for a short stay or simply need a place to sleep, this hotel will serve your basic needs.
Though the hotel does not offer breakfast, there are ample nearby options to satisfy morning cravings. For those traveling by car, there's a conveniently located car park with free parking available on Sundays. Additionally, being a pub-hotel, it boasts an excellent choice of beer, enhancing the overall experience for guests who enjoy a good brew.
In summary, Black Lion delivers a no-frills, comfortable stay that aligns with what you'd expect from budget accommodations, making it a fair trade for the price paid.
No, Black Lion doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Black Lion.
No, Black Lion doesn't allow dogs.
No, parking facilities aren't available at Black Lion.