You know what caught me off guard about this place? Walking up to 3 Connaught Street, I honestly wasn’t expecting much from the outside – it’s just this typical London brick building tucked into Tyburnia. But once you’re inside Flat 5, it’s like stepping into someone’s really well-appointed pied-à-terre, not a rental at all.
The marble theme isn’t just marketing fluff – there’s actually decent marble work throughout, especially in the bathroom which feels properly luxurious without being over the top. What I really appreciated was how quiet it stays, even though you’re literally a three-minute walk from the chaos around Marble Arch station. The windows face away from the main road noise, and honestly, I slept better here than at some of those fancy chain hotels near Hyde Park that cost twice as much. The Sweetstay hosting is actually pretty seamless too – none of that awkward key handoff stuff, just smooth digital check-in that actually works.
Here’s the thing about the location that most people don’t realize until they’re there: yes, you’re close to Oxford Street (maybe eight minutes on foot), but you’re positioned perfectly to duck into Hyde Park whenever the city gets overwhelming. I mean, Speaker’s Corner is right there if you’re into that sort of thing, and the whole Paddington area is way more interesting than people give it credit for. There’s this brilliant little Lebanese place just down Connaught Street that the locals queue up for, and you’ve got proper groceries at Waitrose on Connaught Village – not just tourist traps. The Central Line connection means you can actually get around London without spending half your day underground, which… well, anyone who’s tried to get from Zone 1 to anywhere during rush hour knows what I’m talking about.
What really sold me on recommending this place was the little details that show someone actually thinks about what travelers need. The kitchen isn’t just for show – you can genuinely cook a decent meal if you want to save money or just stay in. The wifi doesn’t randomly drop out every twenty minutes like so many London rentals, and there’s enough space to properly unpack without living out of your suitcase. It’s not perfect – the shower pressure could be stronger, and if you’re traveling with loads of luggage, that lift situation might be a bit tight – but for the price point and that 8.5 rating, it delivers exactly what it promises without any nasty surprises.