The Leonard Hotel

Housed in an old Victorian town house, the Leonard Hotel makes a convenient base for tourists seeking a central location within walking distance of some of London's major sights, and lots of shopping. The traditional interiors are quintessentially English and cozy -- think antique furnishings, patterned carpets, gilt-framed mirrors, and plush curtains framing large windows. The lobby is an atmospheric space cloaked in warm coral, crimson, and gold hues with a lovely fireplace flanked by patterned couches and striped armchairs. Oil paintings of horses and dogs, as well as Union Jack accent pillows, accentuate the classically British vibe. The hotel’s restaurant and bar has an equally charming and cozy, yet refined and elegant, vibe, with red velvet back chairs surrounding small round tables and a collection of paintings and artwork adorning the salon-style wall. The hotel attracts mainly tourists who want to sightsee and shop, as the property is ideally located for both. Larger apartments with kitchens are popular with families and groups, and with travelers on extended stays.

The hotel is conveniently situated in central London near several sights in an area that teems with shopping, restaurants, and bars. The central location mainly attracts tourists who want to sightsee and shop, as many attractions, such as the Sherlock Holmes Museum and Madame Tussauds, are within walking distance, or easily reached via the Underground -- the Marble Arch station is a block from the property. Popular sights such as Big Ben and Buckingham Palace can be reached in less than 20 minutes via public transportation. The area is also a shopper’s paradise, with Oxford Street a block away, and Regent Street and Bond Street nearby. The lovely green oasis of Hyde Park is a block away.

The hotel has a variety of room and suites available, including Single Rooms, Classic Double Rooms, One-Bedroom Suites, and Two-Bedroom Apartment Suites. Rooms are individually designed in a mix of traditional and contemporary decor (though some are a bit dated), with antique-style furnishings and old-world details like thick, patterned curtains, chinoiserie lamps, and subtle damask wallpaper. Some rooms are tiny, such the Single Rooms that manage to cram a miniature desk area next to the bed, though even these make efficient, if cramped, use of space. Suites and apartments offer a lot more square footage, and some have separate living rooms as well as small kitchenettes or full kitchens. All rooms have flat-screen TVs, DVD players, minibars, iPod docks, tea- and coffee-making facilities, as well as free Wi-Fi. Bathrooms also range in decor and size; some have lovely patterned wallpaper accent walls, others are simply tiled in light colors and quite small in size. They are outfitted with walk-in showers or shower/tub combos, fluffy bathrobes, and Elemis toiletries.

The hotel’s Seymour’s Restaurant and bar serves traditional British cuisine for breakfast (not included in room rate), lunch, and dinner, as well as afternoon tea. Twenty-four hour room service is available. The hotel also has event space and conference facilities, and has free Wi-Fi throughout. Guests flying in or out of London can arrange for airport transfers (at an added fee), and chauffeur service is also available.