Look, I’ve stayed in plenty of London places that call themselves “penthouses,” but this spot on Sussex Gardens actually delivers on that promise. The moment you step into Flat 71 at Cambridge Court, you get why it earned that 8.7 rating – there’s this immediate sense of space and light that’s honestly rare for central London. The living area flows beautifully into the bedroom, and the windows are massive, which matters more than you’d think when you’re dealing with those typically dim London days.
What really sold me on this place though is the location intelligence behind it. Sussex Gardens isn’t one of those tourist-trap streets – it’s where actual Londoners live, but you’re literally a three-minute walk to Marble Arch tube station. I mean, you can be in Oxford Circus in five minutes or Paddington in two stops if you’re catching a train somewhere. The neighborhood has this perfect balance where you’ve got your Tesco Express right around the corner (trust me, you’ll need it), but you’re also close enough to Hyde Park that morning runs actually become appealing. There’s this little café called Gail’s about a block away that does proper coffee, not the tourist stuff.
The penthouse itself feels more like a well-designed apartment than a hotel room – the kitchen actually works for more than just reheating takeaway, and the bathroom has one of those rainfall showers that doesn’t disappoint. Honestly, the only minor thing I’d mention is that being on Sussex Gardens means you’ll hear some street noise, especially on weekend nights when people are heading to and from the pubs, but it’s London, you know? The building’s entry system is smooth, no fumbling with weird key cards, and the lift works reliably, which sounds basic but isn’t always guaranteed in these converted Victorian buildings. What impressed me most was how they’ve managed to keep the character of the original architecture while making everything feel modern and functional – you get those lovely high ceilings and period details without sacrificing things like proper heating and decent WiFi.