CHARMING APARTMENT By HYDE PARK

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about this place? Walking up Craven Hill Gardens, you’d never guess what’s waiting behind that typical Victorian facade. I mean, the street itself is one of those quiet residential roads that locals use as a shortcut to avoid the Bayswater Road traffic, but honestly – this apartment feels like someone’s stylish friend just handed you their keys for the weekend.

The location is actually brilliant once you get your bearings. You’re literally a three-minute walk from Hyde Park’s north entrance, which means early morning runs or evening strolls without fighting tourist crowds. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize – you’re also perfectly positioned between two different London vibes. Head south toward Hyde Park Corner and you’re in posh tourist territory, but wander north up toward Westbourne Grove and you hit this fantastic stretch of independent cafes and that amazing Lebanese place everyone raves about. The Paddington Station proximity is clutch too, especially if you’re doing day trips – I caught the Heathrow Express there without any drama, though fair warning, the rolling suitcase sound echoes a bit on these old pavements early morning.

What really won me over was how the apartment actually feels lived-in rather than hotel sterile. The kitchen setup means you can grab fresh stuff from the Tesco Express on Praed Street (about a seven-minute walk) and actually cook instead of burning through your budget on restaurant meals. The 8.4 rating makes sense when you experience the little touches – decent water pressure, windows that actually open properly, and thank god, blackout curtains that work. I stayed during one of those weird London heat waves in September, and the cross-ventilation setup kept things comfortable without cranking expensive AC. The only minor thing – and this is pretty typical for this area – is street parking can be a bit of a puzzle if you’re driving. Most people don’t need a car here anyway, but just so you know. The night sounds are typical residential London – occasional bus on Bayswater Road, but nothing that kept me awake. Actually felt kind of cozy hearing normal neighborhood life instead of drunk tourists at 2 AM like you get in some central spots. If you’re the type who likes feeling like a temporary local rather than obviously being a tourist, this hits that sweet spot perfectly.

Rooms

• Three-Bedroom Apartment with 3 × 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 8 adults

Facilities