Look, I’ve stayed in a lot of London places over the years, but these Hyde Park Apartments on Southwick Street genuinely surprised me. First thing you notice when you walk up? The building has this proper Victorian character that hasn’t been stripped away by some overzealous renovation – you know how developers love to gut these old places. The entrance feels substantial, not like those cramped hotel lobbies where you’re practically checking in from the sidewalk.
What really sold me on this spot was the location, honestly. Southwick Street is one of those quiet residential roads that tourists never stumble onto by accident, but you’re literally a three-minute walk from Lancaster Gate tube station. I mean, you can practically roll out of bed and be in central London within fifteen minutes. The best part though? You’re right on the edge of Hyde Park – not the touristy Speaker’s Corner side, but the peaceful bit where locals actually jog and walk their dogs. I spent most mornings grabbing coffee from the little café on Sussex Gardens (just around the corner) and wandering into the park before the crowds arrived.
The apartments themselves feel properly lived-in rather than hotel-sterile, which I actually prefer. My kitchen was small but functional – you could definitely cook a proper meal if you wanted to save some money instead of eating out every night. The bathroom was recently updated with one of those rainfall showers that actually works, unlike some London places where the water pressure feels like a gentle mist. One thing to note: these are Victorian buildings, so the walls aren’t exactly soundproof. It’s not terrible, but you’ll hear your neighbors if they’re having a party or dragging luggage around at odd hours. The street itself stays pretty quiet though, especially compared to the chaos near Paddington Station just a few blocks south.
What I loved most was how the staff actually seemed to know the neighborhood. When I asked about getting to Borough Market, the guy at reception didn’t just hand me a generic map – he told me exactly which tube line to avoid during rush hour and suggested a walking route back through St. James’s Park that I never would have found otherwise. These are the kinds of details that make a difference when you’re trying to feel less like a tourist and more like you belong somewhere. The 8.5 rating makes complete sense to me – it’s not luxury, but it’s thoughtful and well-run in ways that matter more than fancy lobby furniture.