So Glamorous Pad – Fitzrovia – by Frankie Says

Hotel Description

So I stumbled across this place – So Glamorous Pad by Frankie Says – when I was hunting for somewhere different to stay in central London, and honestly? It’s one of those spots that makes you feel like you’ve got an insider secret. The name’s a bit much, I’ll give you that, but once you’re inside, it actually delivers on the whole “glamorous” thing without being stuffy about it. You know what I mean – it’s got personality without trying too hard.

The location is brilliant if you want to be in the thick of things but not drowning in tourist crowds. It’s technically Westminster Borough, but you’re really on the edge of Fitzrovia, which is perfect because you get the best of both worlds. You’re a quick walk from Oxford Street when you need to hit the shops, but you can also wander into proper Fitzrovia for those little independent coffee places and galleries that make you feel like a local. I actually loved that I could duck into Charlotte Street for dinner – there’s this whole strip of restaurants there that most tourists never find because they’re too busy queuing for the London Eye.

The hotel itself has this sort of boutique vibe that feels deliberate but not overdone. The rooms are properly comfortable (and I’m picky about beds), with decent space by London standards – which, let’s be real, isn’t saying much, but you won’t feel like you’re sleeping in a shoebox. What I really appreciated were the little touches that someone clearly thought about – good lighting for actually reading, plugs where you need them, and a bathroom that doesn’t require yoga poses to use the shower. The 7.6 rating feels about right; it’s not going to blow your mind, but there’s nothing that’ll make you grumpy either.

One thing to know – the area can get a bit lively on weekends since you’re close to the West End, but it’s not rowdy-drunk-people loud, more like happy-people-walking-home-from-dinner sounds. If you’re a super light sleeper, maybe pack earplugs, but honestly, it never bothered me. Check-in was smooth, and the staff actually seemed to know the neighborhood when I asked about places to eat breakfast (they pointed me toward a proper greasy spoon on Tottenham Court Road that became my daily ritual).

The whole Frankie Says brand thing could be gimmicky, but they’ve kept it subtle enough that it feels more like staying at a friend’s well-decorated flat than some themed hotel nightmare. You’re paying for the location and the fact that someone put actual thought into the design, which in London’s hotel scene, is worth something. Plus, you can walk to the British Museum in about ten minutes, and King’s Cross is close enough for easy train connections if you’re planning day trips. It’s the kind of place I’d book again without thinking twice about it.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 2 children

Facilities