Honestly, when I first walked into the DoubleTree by Hilton on Bayswater Road, I wasn’t expecting much – I mean, it’s right on one of London’s busiest streets, practically across from Hyde Park. But you know what? The moment you step inside, all that traffic noise just disappears. The lobby has this warm, understated elegance that feels more boutique than chain hotel, and yeah, you still get those famous warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in (which, let’s be real, never gets old).
The location is actually brilliant if you know London at all. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Hyde Park Corner tube station, which puts you on the Piccadilly line straight to Heathrow – super handy for early flights. But here’s what I really love: step out the front door and you’re facing Hyde Park, obviously, but walk five minutes down Bayswater and you hit this fantastic stretch of Lebanese restaurants and late-night cafes that most tourists completely miss. The rooms facing the park are worth the extra cost, especially on the higher floors where you can actually see over the treetops. I stayed in a standard room on the fourth floor and could watch people jogging along the Serpentine in the morning – there’s something oddly peaceful about it with your coffee.
The hotel itself feels like it’s found its groove after years of figuring things out. The staff genuinely seem to know the neighborhood (the concierge pointed me toward a proper pub on Craven Road that I never would’ve found otherwise), and the fitness center is surprisingly decent for a London hotel – though it does get packed around 7 AM with business travelers. One thing to note: the building’s a bit older, so don’t expect massive bathrooms, but everything’s been updated nicely. The bed was actually comfortable, which isn’t always a given, and the blackout curtains work properly – crucial when you’re dealing with those long summer days. The restaurant downstairs is fine for breakfast, though I’d honestly recommend grabbing coffee from the little Italian place around the corner on Moscow Road instead. Look, it’s not going to blow your mind, but for a 4-star hotel in this part of London, it delivers exactly what it promises without any nasty surprises.