You know what caught me off guard about the Marble Arch Suite? Walking up to 3 Connaught Street, I was expecting something a bit more… institutional, I guess. But honestly, this place feels more like staying at a friend’s incredibly well-appointed flat than a typical hotel experience. The Sweetstay folks have really nailed that sweet spot between professional hospitality and making you feel at home.
The location is actually brilliant – and I mean that in the most practical sense. You’re tucked away on this quiet Tyburnia street that most tourists never stumble across, but you’re literally a three-minute walk from Marble Arch station. I kept forgetting how central I was because Connaught Street has this lovely residential feel, especially in the mornings when you see locals heading to work with their coffee. The building itself has that classic London charm – those white Georgian facades that look like they belong in a period drama – but inside, everything’s been thoughtfully updated. The suite itself is spacious in a way that London accommodations rarely are, with these gorgeous marble touches (hence the name, obviously) that don’t feel overdone or flashy.
What really impressed me was the attention to detail that you only notice after you’ve been there a day or two. The kitchen is actually functional – not just a mini-fridge and kettle situation – so you can properly make breakfast or grab groceries from the Waitrose around the corner. The bed is one of those where you sink in just enough without feeling like you’re being swallowed, and honestly, the blackout curtains are a godsend if you’re dealing with jet lag. The whole place stays surprisingly quiet considering you’re in central London, though you might catch some early morning delivery trucks if you’re a really light sleeper. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward – none of that awkward hovering around a tiny reception desk. The 8.5 rating makes complete sense once you’ve stayed here; it’s not trying to be the fanciest place in London, but it absolutely delivers on comfort and that intangible feeling of being looked after. If you’re the type who wants to feel like a temporary local rather than a tourist passing through, this is your spot. Plus, you can walk to Hyde Park in about two minutes when you need to escape the city buzz – which, let’s be honest, happens to everyone in London eventually.