Look, I’ll be honest with you – the Grange Portland caught me off guard in the best possible way. You know how Bloomsbury can be hit or miss with hotels? Well, this one actually gets it right. It’s tucked away on Bedford Place, which is this lovely Georgian terrace that feels worlds away from the Russell Square tourist madness, even though you’re literally a two-minute walk from the Tube.
The thing that struck me first was how they’ve managed to keep that classic London townhouse feel without making you feel like you’re staying in a museum. I mean, yes, there are period features and all that – beautiful high ceilings, original moldings – but the rooms feel genuinely comfortable, not like someone’s trying too hard to impress you with “heritage charm.” The beds are actually good (and I’m picky about this), and honestly, the bathrooms are better than you’d expect for a converted Georgian building. You know how these old London hotels can be with their tiny, awkward bathrooms? Not an issue here.
What I really love about the location is that you’re right in the heart of things but on this quiet residential street where you can actually sleep at night. During the day, you’ve got the British Museum practically on your doorstep – I’m talking a five-minute stroll through those lovely Bloomsbury squares. And here’s something the guidebooks don’t tell you: there’s this fantastic little corner pub called The Lamb on Lamb’s Conduit Street that’s maybe a seven-minute walk away, and it’s where you’ll actually find locals, not just tourists taking photos of their fish and chips. The hotel staff, when I asked about dinner recommendations, pointed me toward Charlotte Street instead of the obvious touristy spots, which tells you they know the neighborhood.
I will say, the 7.6 rating feels about right – it’s not trying to be the Savoy, and that’s perfectly fine. The service is friendly without being fussy, check-in was smooth, and they seem to have figured out that business travelers and leisure guests want different things. The lobby gets a bit busy during peak times (I was there in September), but there’s something charming about the gentle buzz of people coming and going. One small thing – if you’re someone who needs cutting-edge tech in your room, this might not be your place. It’s more about comfort and location than flashy amenities, but honestly? That worked for me. Sometimes you just want a proper night’s sleep in a real London neighborhood, and the Grange Portland delivers exactly that.