Honestly, the Blandford Hotel surprised me – and I mean that in the best way possible since I wasn’t expecting much from the slightly underwhelming street view. You know what though? Sometimes the best finds are the ones hiding in plain sight on these quieter Marylebone streets. It’s tucked right on Chiltern Street, which is actually perfect because you’re literally a two-minute walk from Baker Street station but far enough away that you won’t hear the constant rumble of the Underground beneath your feet at night.
The thing about this place is that it feels properly London without trying too hard. I mean, sure, it’s a solid four-star spot with all the bits you’d expect, but there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about it. The lobby has this warm, lived-in feeling – not sterile like some of the bigger chain hotels around Oxford Circus. When I checked in (around 3 PM on a Thursday, so pretty standard), the staff actually seemed to know the neighborhood. The receptionist gave me genuinely useful tips about avoiding the tourist crowds at Regent’s Park and pointed me toward a decent coffee shop on Marylebone High Street that I never would’ve found otherwise. The rooms are well… they’re London hotel rooms, so don’t expect palatial, but they’re thoughtfully done. Good lighting for actually reading, proper blackout curtains (crucial if you’re dealing with jet lag), and the bathroom had one of those rainfall showers that actually works – you’d be amazed how often hotels mess that up.
What really sold me on the Blandford though was just how easy it made exploring this part of London. You’re genuinely in the heart of things without being in the chaos. Marylebone High Street is right there with its Sunday farmers market and those lovely independent shops that somehow survive between the Pret A Mangers. Wallace Collection is practically around the corner if you’re into that sort of thing – seriously underrated museum, by the way. And here’s something I didn’t expect: the hotel bar actually draws locals in the evenings, which tells you something about a place. It’s not huge or flashy, but it has this comfortable buzz where you can overhear actual Londoners complaining about the Northern Line delays instead of just other tourists planning their next day at the Tower of London. The 7.5 rating feels about right – it’s not going to blow your mind, but it gets the important stuff right without any major disappointments. I’d definitely stay here again, especially if I wanted to feel like I was staying in London rather than just visiting it.