Calpe House by LB73

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about Calpe House? It’s tucked into this gorgeous Georgian square that feels completely removed from the chaos of central London, even though you’re literally minutes from everything. Prince’s Square is one of those perfectly preserved Bayswater gems – the kind of place where you actually hear birds instead of just traffic noise, and the morning light filters through these massive plane trees that have probably been there longer than most hotels have existed.

The building itself has this understated elegance that I honestly prefer to the flashier boutique places. Walking up to the entrance, you get that satisfying crunch of gravel underfoot, and the façade has these beautiful white columns that somehow manage to look grand without being intimidating. Inside, they’ve done something really smart – they’ve kept all the period details (the cornicing is absolutely gorgeous) but added modern touches that actually make sense. The lobby has this warm, lived-in feeling, like you’re staying at a well-heeled friend’s place rather than a corporate hotel. I mean, there are actual books on the shelves that look like someone has read them.

Location-wise, this is where local knowledge really pays off. You’re a three-minute walk from Lancaster Gate tube station, which puts you on the Central line – honestly one of the most useful lines for tourists since it cuts straight through the city. But here’s what the booking sites don’t tell you: you’re also right on the edge of Hyde Park, and not just any part of Hyde Park. This is near the Italian Gardens, which most visitors completely miss because they head straight for Speaker’s Corner or the Serpentine. Early mornings, you can walk through the park and it’s almost empty except for the occasional jogger and an impressive number of very determined dog walkers. The area gets busy during evening rush hour – Bayswater Road can be a bit mental between 5-7pm – but the square itself stays peaceful because it’s residential, not a through route.

What really sets this place apart is the attention to those little details that matter when you’re actually living somewhere for a few days. The rooms have proper blackout curtains (not those flimsy hotel ones that let in every streetlight), and the beds are genuinely comfortable – firm enough that you don’t feel like you’re sinking into quicksand, but soft enough that you’re not counting springs all night. The bathrooms have decent water pressure, which honestly shouldn’t be noteworthy but anyone who’s stayed in period London buildings knows it absolutely is. There’s also this nice touch where they provide actual coffee, not just instant – small thing, but it makes those early mornings so much better.

If I’m being completely honest, this isn’t the place for party animals or people who want to be in the thick of Soho nightlife. But if you want somewhere that feels authentically London, where you can walk to Notting Hill for dinner or pop into the West End for a show without feeling like you need a degree in public transport, this is pretty much perfect. It’s got that rare combination of feeling special without trying too hard – which, now that I think about it, is very London indeed.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults
• Two-Bedroom Deluxe Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for 4 adults
• One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults
• Two-Bedroom Deluxe Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for 4 adults
• Two-Bedroom Deluxe Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for 4 adults
• Two-Bedroom Deluxe Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for 4 adults
• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 large double bed for 4 adults

Facilities