You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first walked up to this Holiday Inn on Carburton Street – I mean, it’s tucked away on this quiet side street between Oxford Street and Regent’s Park, and honestly, the exterior is pretty understated. But step inside and it’s actually got this surprisingly polished vibe that makes you forget you’re staying at a chain hotel.
The location is what really sells this place, though. You’re literally a three-minute walk from Oxford Circus tube station (I timed it), which means you can disappear into the madness of Oxford Street whenever you want, then retreat back to this peaceful little pocket when the crowds get overwhelming. Regent’s Park is right there too – and I’m talking about the real entrance near the boating lake, not the touristy bit everyone photographs. The staff mentioned that most guests don’t realize how close they are to some of London’s best running paths, which explains why I kept seeing people in workout gear in the lobby around 7 AM. The rooms themselves feel more boutique than budget – they’ve clearly invested in decent bedding and blackout curtains that actually work (trust me, London summer mornings start early). I stayed on the fourth floor facing the street side, and while you can hear some traffic, it’s nothing like the chaos you’d get on Oxford Street proper. The shower pressure was surprisingly good, and there’s enough space to properly unpack if you’re staying more than a night or two.
What impressed me most was how the hotel seems to understand its guests actually live in London or are here for work – there’s a proper business center that doesn’t feel like an afterthought, and the breakfast setup runs efficiently even when it’s packed with people trying to catch early meetings. The front desk staff know their stuff about transport links (they warned me about weekend tube closures before I even asked), and they’re not pushy about upselling you on tours or whatever. Parking is tricky around here – well, it’s central London, so that’s not really their fault – but they’ll point you toward the nearest NCP car park on Great Portland Street if you’re driving. Overall, it’s one of those places that gets the fundamentals right without trying too hard to be something it’s not, which honestly makes it more comfortable than some of the fancier hotels I’ve stayed at in London.