Honestly, when I first walked up to The Cleveland on Cleveland Square, I wasn’t expecting much – I mean, it’s tucked into this quiet residential corner of Bayswater that most people rush past on their way to Hyde Park. But you know what? Sometimes the best finds are the ones hiding in plain sight. This Georgian townhouse conversion has that understated London elegance that actually feels authentic, not like someone’s idea of what a British hotel should look like.
The location is genuinely brilliant if you know how to work it. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Paddington Station (perfect for Heathrow runs), but Cleveland Square itself is this peaceful little pocket that feels completely removed from the chaos. I watched people drag their suitcases past the front door without even noticing the place existed. Hyde Park’s right there – and I don’t mean a “short stroll,” I mean you can see the trees from some of the upper floor windows. The staff mentioned that guests often grab coffee from the little café on Praed Street and eat breakfast in the park, which honestly sounds pretty perfect on a nice morning. There’s also this excellent Lebanese place called Maroush just around the corner on Edgware Road that stays open late – handy when you’re dealing with jet lag and everything else has closed.
What struck me most was how they’ve managed to keep the building’s original character without making it feel like a museum. The rooms aren’t huge (this is London, after all), but they’re thoughtfully laid out with these lovely high ceilings and big windows that actually open – something you can’t take for granted in newer hotels. The bathrooms are modern without being stark, and the beds are properly comfortable, not just Instagram-pretty. I stayed on the third floor and barely heard any street noise, which is impressive considering you’re still in central London. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward too – no weird upselling or complicated key card systems, just friendly people who seemed to actually know the neighborhood. The 8.2 rating makes sense; it’s the kind of place that does the fundamentals really well without trying to be flashy about it. Perfect for people who want to feel like they’re staying somewhere with character rather than just passing through another generic hotel.