You know what struck me first about the Regency Hotel Parkside? It’s got this proper Georgian charm that you don’t always find in central London hotels – I mean, you’re literally on Nottingham Place, which is one of those lovely tree-lined streets that feels almost residential despite being smack in the middle of everything. The building itself has that classic London facade with white painted brick, and honestly, walking up to it feels more like you’re visiting a well-to-do friend than checking into a tourist hotel.
The location is actually brilliant if you know London at all. You’re about a three-minute walk from Baker Street tube (which connects you to basically everywhere), and Regent’s Park is right there – I’m talking a proper two-minute stroll to the main entrance. What I love is that you can duck into the park for morning runs or evening walks, then pop back to Marylebone High Street for dinner. That whole area around Chiltern Street and the Marylebone farmers market has become quite the foodie destination, so you’re surrounded by these great little independent restaurants and cafes that locals actually use. It’s not touristy in that overwhelming Oxford Street way, you know?
Inside, the Regency strikes this nice balance between traditional and updated – the lobby has period details but doesn’t feel stuffy or overdone. The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid four-star: comfortable beds, decent-sized bathrooms (well, decent for London standards), and they’ve clearly put money into renovations without going overboard with trendy nonsense. I noticed the soundproofing is pretty good too, which matters because you’re still in Zone 1 and there’s always some city noise. The staff genuinely seem to know the neighborhood – when I asked about getting to Primrose Hill for sunset, the front desk guy gave me this detailed route through the park that avoided the tourist crowds entirely. Honestly, that kind of local knowledge makes such a difference when you’re trying to experience London like you live there rather than just passing through. The 7.9 rating feels about right – it’s not going to blow your mind, but it’s exactly what you want: comfortable, well-located, and run by people who actually care about your stay.