You know what struck me first about Arlington House? It doesn’t feel like a hotel at all – which is exactly the point, I suppose. These are proper apartments tucked right into one of Westminster’s most elegant Georgian terraces, and honestly, walking up to that classic white facade on Arlington Street, you’d never guess tourists stay here. The locals probably prefer it that way.
I mean, the location is just ridiculous – you’re literally around the corner from the Ritz (you can practically smell the afternoon tea), and Green Park is right there when you need to escape the madness of Piccadilly. What I love is how you get all the posh Westminster address vibes without the stuffiness of a traditional five-star hotel. The apartments themselves are spacious in that way London places rarely are – actual kitchens where you can make proper coffee in the morning, living areas where you’re not tripping over your suitcase. The interiors strike this nice balance between classic and contemporary; think elegant but not museum-precious. You’ll find yourself actually using the space instead of just sleeping in it.
The 8.4 rating makes total sense once you’ve stayed here – it’s not perfect (the Wi-Fi can be a bit temperamental, and some of the older Georgian quirks mean occasional plumbing adventures), but there’s something refreshingly authentic about the whole experience. Check-in is wonderfully low-key, almost residential, which I found oddly relaxing after dealing with the usual hotel theater. And here’s the thing about this particular stretch of Arlington Street – it’s quiet enough that you’ll actually sleep, but step outside and you’re immediately in the thick of everything. St. James’s Park for morning runs, Fortnum & Mason when you want to pretend you’re fancy, and all of Mayfair spreading out around you. I spent half my time just wandering the surrounding streets because, well, this is probably the most central you can get without paying Claridge’s prices. The neighborhood has this lived-in elegance that feels genuine rather than performed – lots of beautiful Georgian architecture, the occasional Bentley purring past, but also normal people going about their daily business. It’s Westminster, but the residential side of it.