39 Studios

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about 39 Studios? The building itself – it’s one of those classic white-fronted Victorian terraces that makes you feel like you’re in a proper London movie. Queensborough Terrace is this lovely tree-lined street in Bayswater that somehow manages to feel both central and residential at the same time. I mean, you’re literally a three-minute walk from Hyde Park (and I actually timed it), but it’s quiet enough that you won’t hear buses rumbling past your window at 6 AM.

The studios themselves are honestly quite clever – they’ve managed to fit proper kitchenettes into spaces that probably weren’t much bigger than closets in the original Victorian layout. Nothing fancy, but you’ve got a decent-sized fridge and enough counter space to make breakfast without feeling like you’re playing Tetris with your coffee cup and cereal bowl. The bathrooms are compact but well-designed, with those rainfall showerheads that actually work (you’d be surprised how often hotels mess this up). What I really appreciated was the little touches – proper blackout curtains that actually block out the streetlights, and the heating that you can control yourself instead of being at the mercy of some central system.

Location-wise, this place is sort of perfectly positioned if you want to feel like you’re living in London rather than just visiting it. Queensway tube station is about a two-minute walk, and from there you can get pretty much anywhere without dealing with too many changes. The area has this great mix of authentic curry houses on Westbourne Grove and those slightly posh gastropubs that Londoners actually go to – not just tourist traps. There’s a Tesco Express right around the corner on Queensway, which becomes essential when you realize London hotel breakfast prices can fund a small country.

Honestly, the 7.6 rating feels about right – it’s not going to blow your mind, but it delivers exactly what it promises without any unpleasant surprises. The staff at check-in were efficient rather than chatty (very London, really), and I didn’t have any issues with key cards not working or WiFi dropping out every ten minutes. The building can get a bit echo-y in the stairwells – these old Victorian places always do – but once you’re in your room with the door closed, it’s properly quiet.

If you’re the type who wants to explore different neighborhoods rather than staying glued to the touristy bits around Big Ben, this is actually a brilliant base. You can walk through Hyde Park to get to Knightsbridge, or head the other way toward Notting Hill and feel like you’re discovering parts of London that don’t appear on every Instagram feed. Just don’t expect a gym or room service – this is more about having a comfortable, well-located place to crash between actually experiencing the city.

Rooms

• Double Studio with 1 double bed for 2 adults
• Double Studio with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Triple Studio with 1 single bed and 1 double bed for 3 adults
• Family Studio with 2 single beds and 1 double bed for 4 adults
• Twin Studio with 2 single beds for 2 adults

Facilities