The Upper House – Fitzrovia – by Frankie Says

Hotel Description

You know what caught me off guard about The Upper House? Walking up from Goodge Street station, I was expecting another generic boutique place, but this spot actually has personality. It’s tucked into one of those quieter Fitzrovia streets where you can still hear the buzz from Charlotte Street’s restaurant scene without being right in the thick of it – honestly, that’s harder to find than you’d think in this part of London.

The whole “Frankie Says” branding thing could’ve been gimmicky (I mean, we’ve all seen hotels try too hard with their theming), but they’ve done something genuinely cool here. The common areas have this sort of curated vintage feel without feeling like a museum – think well-worn leather chairs where you’d actually want to sit with a coffee, not just Instagram. The rooms are properly thought out too. I stayed on the third floor and honestly loved that the windows actually open – seems basic, but you know how rare that’s getting. The bathrooms are compact but clever, with decent water pressure and those little touches that show someone was paying attention, like hooks in places where you’d actually hang things.

Location-wise, you’re basically in the sweet spot between the chaos of Oxford Street and the more residential bits of Bloomsbury. Rathbone Place is literally around the corner if you need late-night supplies, and you can walk to the British Museum in about ten minutes through those lovely Georgian squares. What I really appreciated was how quiet it gets at night – Fitzrovia can be surprisingly peaceful once the office crowd clears out. Parking’s pretty much impossible (this is central London, after all), but the Tube connections are solid from Goodge Street or Warren Street. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward too – no lengthy speeches about amenities, just genuine helpfulness when I asked about restaurant recommendations. The staff actually knew the neighborhood, which sounds obvious but isn’t always the case. They pointed me toward some excellent spots on Charlotte Street that I never would’ve found otherwise. Sure, it’s a 4-star place so you’re paying London boutique prices, but for what you get – the location, the thoughtful design, and that rare feeling that someone actually cares about the details – it feels worth it. Especially if you’re the type who’d rather be walking distance from proper neighborhood spots than staying somewhere flashy but soulless.

Rooms

• Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 1 child

Facilities