Wonderland – Fitzrovia – by Frankie Says

Hotel Description

You know what? I wasn’t expecting much when I first walked up to Wonderland in Fitzrovia – the name alone sounds a bit gimmicky, honestly. But this place actually surprised me in the best way possible. It’s tucked away in one of those lovely Georgian terraces that make this part of London so special, and there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about it despite being part of the whole “Frankie Says” brand thing.

The location is honestly brilliant if you know London at all. You’re basically in the sweet spot between the tourist madness of Oxford Street and the more residential feel of Bloomsbury. I mean, you can walk to the British Museum in about ten minutes, but more importantly (at least for me), you’re surrounded by some fantastic little pubs and cafés that most visitors never find. There’s this brilliant coffee shop called Workshop Coffee just around the corner on Mortimer Street – the kind of place where locals actually queue up, which is always a good sign. The whole Fitzrovia area has this creative, slightly bohemian vibe that feels authentic rather than manufactured for tourists.

What really won me over was how the hotel manages to feel both stylish and comfortable without trying too hard. The rooms have this sort of modern-vintage thing going on – think mid-century furniture mixed with contemporary touches, but nothing too Instagram-y if you know what I mean. The beds are genuinely comfortable (I’m picky about this), and the bathrooms are well-designed with proper water pressure, which honestly matters more than fancy toiletries. The staff seem to actually enjoy working there, which makes such a difference. Check-in was smooth, and they gave me proper recommendations for dinner rather than just pointing me toward the nearest chain restaurant.

I will say the street can get a bit noisy on weekend evenings – you’re in central London after all, and there are some popular bars nearby. But it’s not excessive, and the windows do a decent job of keeping most of it out. Plus, if you’re the type who likes to be in the thick of things, you’ll probably see this as a feature rather than a bug. The whole area comes alive at night, but in a sophisticated way rather than the chaos you get near Leicester Square.

What I really appreciated was how the hotel captures that particular London energy without feeling touristy. You’ll see as many locals in the lobby bar as hotel guests, which tells you something about the place. It’s got that neighborhood feel that’s getting harder to find in central London hotels these days. The pricing feels fair for what you get – it’s not cheap, but you’re paying for the location and the experience rather than just a place to sleep. If you want to feel like you’re staying somewhere that actual Londoners might choose for a staycation, rather than just another generic hotel, this is your spot.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 3 children

Facilities