Look, I’ll be honest – when I first heard about 55 by Le Mirage tucked away in Prince’s Square, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The name sounds a bit fancy, maybe even pretentious, but actually walking up to this place? It’s got this understated elegance that feels right for Westminster without being stuffy about it. The building itself sits on this quiet Georgian square that most tourists completely miss, which is honestly part of its charm. You’re literally a five-minute walk from Hyde Park Corner, but you’d never know it from how peaceful Prince’s Square gets, especially in the evenings.
What really struck me about this place is how they’ve managed to nail that sweet spot between boutique and practical. The rooms – well, they’re what you’d expect from a proper 4-star in central London, meaning not huge but thoughtfully designed. The staff actually seem to know the neighborhood, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how rare that is. When I asked about getting to Borough Market on a Saturday morning, the guy at reception didn’t just give me generic directions – he told me which Tube entrance to use and warned me about the weekend engineering works on the Northern line. That kind of local knowledge makes a difference when you’re trying to make the most of a short stay.
Here’s the thing about the location that really matters: you’re positioned perfectly for both the touristy stuff and the actual London experience. Marble Arch is right there when you want to hit Oxford Street (though honestly, who enjoys that chaos?), but you’re also close enough to walk to some genuinely good pubs in Marylebone that locals actually frequent. The noise level is pretty manageable too – I mean, you’re in Zone 1 so there’s always going to be some street noise, but Prince’s Square doesn’t get the late-night foot traffic that some of the main drags do. I stayed there during a particularly busy week in summer and still managed to sleep with the windows cracked open.
The 8.4 rating makes sense when you spend time there – it’s not trying to be the flashiest hotel in London, but everything just works properly. Check-in was smooth, the WiFi actually functioned throughout the building (why is this still hit-or-miss in 2024?), and the housekeeping team clearly takes pride in their work. You know what I appreciated most? The little things that show someone’s paying attention – proper coffee in the rooms, decent water pressure, and towels that don’t feel like sandpaper. Plus, if you’re someone who likes to walk everywhere like I do, you’ll appreciate having Regent’s Park, Hyde Park, and even a decent stretch along the Thames all within reasonable walking distance. It’s the kind of place where you can base yourself and actually explore London on foot, rather than feeling like you need to hop on the Tube every time you want to go somewhere interesting.