Signature Townhouse London Hyde Park

The upper-middle-range Arbor Hyde Park Hotel sits on the corner of a row of grand, white Victorian townhouses lining a typical London square. A traditional portico marks the entrance to this traditional, heritage-protected building, and the contemporary interiors are a pleasant surprise. The reception desk has an unassuming position in a high-ceilinged room with fine parquet floors, which leads through a glass bar area to the quirky lobby lounge, featuring hip and colorful designer furniture. The hotel was fully renovated in 2014 and has been beautifully restored throughout, with period features blending seamlessly with modern styling. While most of the hotel has a light and airy, modern-luxe feel, the basement breakfast room with bars on the windows can seem a little dark. The hotel attracts largely tourists looking for easy access to the Royal Parks and the attractions of the West End.  

Located in the leafy West London neighborhood of Bayswater, this hotel is set in a traditional residential square with Spire House in its center -- a 19th-century church that was partially demolished and rebuilt as housing in the 1970s (the original spire remains). The closest Tube station to the hotel is Lancaster Gate (five minutes' walk), with trains into central London taking four minutes. Exhibition Road -- with its selection of world-famous museums -- can be reached in 10 minutes by car or a brisk 20-minute walk through Hyde Park, just a block away. The hotel is also only a 10-minute walk from Paddington Station, which connects to Heathrow Airport in 15 minutes by train, making it a convenient location for international travelers. 

The 40 individually styled rooms and suites are all contemporary in design with clean lines, crisp white bed linens, and colorful throws and cushions, although the absence of any art on the walls can make them feel a bit spare. Standard amenities include free Wi-Fi, 40-inch flat-screen TVs, Nespresso machines, and bathrobes and slippers. Some rooms can be small with very little space around the bed, and some are split-level with daybeds as well as desks. Some rooms look over the square, while others face the back and other buildings. Bathrooms are modern and bright, with smart subway tiles, and most feature walk-in rainfall showers. The Executive Suite has a clawfoot bathtub. 

A decent continental buffet breakfast is included in the rate and there are cooked-to-order options available for a fee. Drinks and light snacks are available throughout the day and can be taken in the colorful, contemporary lounge area. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout, but note that there's no parking on-site. The small, boutique nature of the property results in an extra emphasis on service.