Honestly, the Grange Beauchamp caught me off guard in the best way possible. Walking up to this Georgian townhouse on Bedford Place, you’d almost miss it if you weren’t looking – it’s tucked into this quiet residential stretch that feels worlds away from the tourist chaos, even though you’re literally a three-minute walk from Russell Square tube. The entrance has this understated elegance that doesn’t scream “look at me,” which I actually appreciated after dealing with some of London’s more… theatrical hotel lobbies.
What really won me over was how the staff seemed to actually know the neighborhood. When I asked about getting to the British Museum (because, you know, it’s right there), the front desk guy didn’t just point me toward the main entrance like every other tourist gets told. He mentioned the back entrance on Montague Place that’s way less crowded, especially if you’re going in the morning. That’s the kind of local insight you don’t get from chain hotels. The rooms themselves are proper London hotel rooms – I mean, don’t expect sprawling American-style space, but everything’s thoughtfully laid out. Mine overlooked the garden square, and honestly, waking up to that view instead of traffic noise was worth the slightly higher rate. The Wi-Fi actually worked reliably (not always a given in these older buildings), and the shower had proper water pressure, which… well, anyone who’s stayed in London knows that’s not guaranteed.
Here’s the thing though – this isn’t a flashy, Instagram-perfect kind of place. The carpet in the hallways shows its age a bit, and some of the room furnishings lean more toward “comfortable and functional” than “design magazine worthy.” But that 7.2 rating makes sense when you factor in what you’re actually getting. You’re paying for location (Bloomsbury is brilliant for walking everywhere), decent service, and a building with character that doesn’t feel like every other business hotel. Plus, if you’re one of those people who loves bookshops, you’re a short wander from some fantastic independent places along Marchmont Street that most tourists never find. The breakfast was surprisingly good – proper English breakfast if that’s your thing, but also decent continental options. They don’t rush you out either, which I noticed because I tend to be a slow morning person. Check-in was smooth, they held my bags without any fuss when I arrived early, and when the lift was being temperamental one evening, staff were quick to sort it out. It’s the kind of place where everything just… works, without being particularly exciting about it. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want in London.