Sydney House Chelsea

Sydney House is housed in a converted and well-preserved Georgian townhouse from 1829, and it's the first London foray for the ABode group, which has hotels across the UK. The exterior branding is so discreet that this looks like just another smartly presented London townhouse. Inside, the simple yet stylish open-plan approach to decor is similarly low-key. The combined lobby/lounge has a contemporary design, with hardwood flooring, pleasant modern prints on bright white walls, and a chunky wood-framed sofa with purple upholstery facing a modern fireplace. This pleasant space has large street-facing windows and built-in wall shelving stacked with reading material. Bright corridors have white walls that are half wood-paneled and elegant patterned brown carpet -- though the elevator is tiny. The functional breakfast room has similarly contemporary decor, and the small, intimate lobby bar sports pastel pink walls, red leather seats at a wooden counter, and a separate mirror-backed bar. Both spaces have suspended spotlights resting on glass shelves, which makes for a chic effect.

Sydney House is set in a quiet, upmarket, and friendly residential neighborhood in Chelsea, full of well-preserved historical buildings. There’s excellent access to public transport -- South Kensington tube station is a five-minute walk or two-minute taxi ride away -- and numerous bars and restaurants are within walking distance. The hotel is also a popular choice among patients at the Royal Marsden Hospital, a three-minute walk away. The Victoria and Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum are all under 10 minutes away on foot. It’s an 11-minute walk to King’s Road, famous for its trendy boutique shops, and upmarket Knightsbridge is a 14-minute walk away. Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are a 10-minute public transport ride or seven-minute cab journey from the hotel, while Piccadilly Circus is a 14-minute tube ride or 10-minute drive away. Popular attractions like Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, and Oxford Street are all about a 20-minute tube ride away. The closest airport is Heathrow, a 45-minute public transport ride or 25-minute drive from the hotel, while Gatwick Airport is about an hour away by public transport or car.

The quiet and individually heated and air-conditioned guest rooms continue the Sydney House's simple but stylish, uncluttered design approach. Chunky blond wood is a pleasant, reoccurring theme. Compact Deluxe Doubles have large, comfortable beds with goose down quilts, Egyptian cotton linen, and colorful patchwork runners; elegant headboards merge panels of off-white fabric and tanned wood. Bright white walls with graphic prints lend an airy, modern feel, alongside gorgeous original sash windows. Small built-in wooden bedside tables, petite chunky wooden desks, little closets, and dark red leather tub seats make the most of the space. (Some rooms have attractive chunky wood-framed chairs with chic cream upholstery.) Premier Deluxe Doubles are more spacious, and have hardwood flooring in the bedrooms. Chic bathrooms have shower/tub combos with fixed showerheads and elegant freestanding sinks on white vanities with large mirrors. Individual Malin + Goetz toiletries are a welcome touch.

Flat-screen TVs and DVD players come standard (though the hotel doesn’t provide loaner DVDs), as do hairdryers, bathrobes, phones, free Wi-Fi, safes, and free drinking water in eco-friendly glass bottles. There are no minibars or mini-fridges, however, nor does the hotel offer coffee- and tea-making facilities (there’s free tea and coffee in the lobby bar). Rooms have pleasant neighborhood views, and some have small balconies with outdoor seating. The top-floor double room has a gorgeous private wood-decked roof garden with plants, a dining table and chairs, and fantastic views. Do note that the age of the building means there are "half floors" not served by the elevator, so some rooms are accessed by way of steps, a potential problem for those with mobility issues.

As expected in a boutique of this size, Sydney House offers limited facilities. There’s a pleasant lounge in the lobby, but no gym or business center; nor is there an on-site restaurant. The a la carte breakfast is excellent, but it’s not included in rates and can be pricey. The lobby bar has free Nespresso coffee, freshly ground espresso-based coffee, tea, and drinking water, as well as a selection of wines and spirits; there’s also great 24/7 room service. A drawing room and boardroom are available for hire for meetings of up to 16 people, there’s free and fast Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and guests also get free newspapers. There’s no on-site parking, but there are local car parks nearby; guests also report that getting on-street parking isn’t a problem.