Kenrick place

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Kenrick Place? It’s one of those hotels that actually feels like it belongs in its neighborhood instead of trying to dominate it. Tucked away on this quiet residential street in Marylebone – and I mean properly quiet, not that fake “oasis of calm” nonsense you usually get in central London – it’s the kind of place where you can actually open your windows at night without being serenaded by sirens and delivery trucks. The building itself has this understated Georgian elegance that doesn’t scream “tourist hotel,” which honestly made me feel a bit more sophisticated just walking through the doors.

The location is sort of brilliant in that sneaky way that takes you a day to fully appreciate. Sure, you’re not literally on Oxford Street, but Baker Street station is maybe a three-minute walk (I timed it because I’m neurotic like that), and from there you can get pretty much anywhere in London without the usual Tube gymnastics. What I really loved though was being able to walk to Regent’s Park in the morning – there’s something about having that much green space so close that makes the whole city feel less claustrophobic. The neighborhood has this lovely residential vibe with proper local cafes and that brilliant little Waitrose on Marylebone High Street where you can grab decent coffee and pastries without the tourist markup. Plus, you’re close enough to pop over to Fitzrovia for dinner but far enough away that you don’t have to deal with the weekend crowds unless you want to.

The service here actually surprised me – and I mean that in the best way possible. It’s not that over-the-top formal thing you get at some London hotels where they practically genuflect when you walk by, but more like… well, like people who actually care about whether you’re having a good time. The front desk staff knew the area properly (not just the obvious tourist spots), and when I mentioned I was looking for a good pub that wasn’t completely overrun, they pointed me toward The Duke of Wellington on Crawford Street – which turned out to be exactly what I was after. The rooms themselves are what you’d expect from a solid four-star place, nothing revolutionary but thoughtfully done with decent beds and bathrooms that actually have proper water pressure. Small detail, but the windows are well-fitted, so even though you’re in central London, you can sleep without earplugs. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward too – no lengthy speeches about amenities or aggressive upselling, just efficient and friendly. Honestly, it’s the kind of place I’d book again without hesitation, especially if I wanted to feel like I was staying in London rather than just visiting it.

Rooms

• Three-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed, 1 double bed and 2 sofa beds for 8 adults

Facilities