WHY TOWNHOUSES ARE MY FAVORITE WAY TO STAY IN LONDON
Small stays, big personality
Image credit Number Sixteen
There’s been a quiet boom in London’s hotel scene—and it’s not about bigger, flashier openings. It’s about townhouses. Charming, intimate, beautifully restored homes-turned-hotels tucked into residential neighborhoods.
With private gardens, individually designed guest rooms, staff who greet you like you’re a familiar face, and windows that flood the room with that rare London light, they've got potential for all the character and soul that we love.
If you’ve ever left a big city hotel lobby feeling like a number—or worse, like a tourist—this is your antidote. Townhouse hotels offer the comfort of coming home at the end of the day, even when you're across the world. And yes, they’ll brighten up even the most work-heavy trip with thoughtful extras, quiet spaces, and rooms that feel more pied-à-terre than property.
Here are a few of my favorites across the city, organized by neighborhood:
CHELSEA
BEAVERBROOK TOWNHOUSE
Set across two Georgian townhouses on Sloane Street, Beaverbrook’s Chelsea outpost is a theatrical, artful, and utterly charming place to stay. Each of the 14 rooms is named after a historic London theatre and feels like a collector’s dream bedroom, with antiques, bold fabrics, and a four-poster bed or two. Many rooms look out over Cadogan Gardens, and the bathrooms are big enough to deserve their own encore. A cocktail at the bar and dinner at Fuji Grill are a must. And mornings spent with a newspaper and a pot of tea in the drawing room? Hard to beat.
Image credit Beaverbrook Town House
The Chelsea TownhousE
A classic, refined Relais & Chateaux property just off the King's Road, this 36-room townhouse hotel feels both tucked away and perfectly placed. Standard rooms here are unusually spacious, especially for London, starting at 28 sqm. They feature seating areas that make them feel more like a junior suite than an entry-level room. Garden Suites on the ground floor open directly to a shared green space, and the first-floor rooms have that townhouse magic: soaring ceilings, oversized windows, and light for days. Families will love the semi-private-entry family setups, with adjoining bedrooms (one dubbed the “cozy room”—ideal for a teen or preteen). My tip? Ask for a garden-suite, and let them pack you a picnic.
Image credit The Chelsea Townhouse
South Kensington
Number Sixteen (Firmdale Hotels)
My favorite of the Firmdale properties, Number Sixteen is full of light and color—an uplifting place to return to, especially on a dreary London day. With just 41 rooms, it feels boutique but polished, and the private garden is the star of the show: a quiet, flower-filled space that hosts everything from afternoon tea to private dinners. Room 4 is a treat—wooden floors and direct access to a tucked-away patio. The whole hotel balances elegance and playfulness, and the staff somehow always remember your name.
Knightsbridge
Knightsbridge Hotel (Firmdale Hotels)
Also part of the Firmdale collection, this townhouse hotel is more discreet and residential than you might expect from a brand known for bold prints. Interiors are still vibrant and quirky in the best way. There’s no restaurant, but they’ll serve you a beautiful breakfast or tea in the drawing room or your suite. The service is warm and unfussy, and it’s a great base if you’re hopping between meetings or shopping on foot.
Image credit Knightsbridge
Notting Hill
The Lost Poet
With just four rooms, this design-forward little spot on Portobello Road is perfect for solo travelers or couples who want privacy and personality. Each room is color-coded and full of clever touches: arched windows, modern vintage furniture, and custom art. You enter via a keycode and go days without seeing another guest—but there’s still housekeeping and a stocked mini kitchen with breakfast bits. Stay here if you want to live like a (very stylish) Notting Hill local.
Image credit The Lost Poet
Covent Garden
The Henrietta Hotel (Experimental Group)
An original Good Trips favorite from the early days, The Henrietta blends Continental charm with London wit. In the middle of Covent Garden, but on a pedestrian, terrace-lined street, it’s a great balance of access and local scene. Rooms are bold and beautiful—some with balconies, others with velvet headboards and scalloped lamps. Their bistro, run by the Experimental Group, is worth staying in for. It’s the kind of place where friends stop by for cocktails, and you end up staying for hours.
Marylebone
The Zetter Marylebone
A colorful, cozy townhouse with just enough flair, The Zetter brings a bit of personality to polished Marylebone. The rooms mix bold upholstery and classic lines with ease, and the location—just around the corner from Chiltern Street—puts you in a great pocket of central London that still feels neighborhoody. The honesty bar in the lounge adds a sweet, informal touch, and the staff are genuinely lovely. A great pick if you want to shop, explore, or just settle in somewhere with soul.
Image credit The Zetter
Packing it up
There’s a time and place for London’s grand hotels—the landmark addresses, the full-glamour stays. But more often, I’m drawn to something more personal. Townhouse hotels are full of soul, built on detail, and designed for a more intimate kind of experience. For travelers who want to feel connected to where they are—not just pass through—these are the stays that stay with you.
We’d love to book one of these for you and make your stay extra special in the process. Want to check-in? Tell us here.
Katy HOogerwerf
Katy Hoogerwerf is a US-born travel designer based in Europe with expertise in design, wellness, and culturally immersive experiences. A hotel enthusiast at heart, she specializes in discovering unique properties with compelling stories and curating journeys that prioritize meaningful connections.
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