Vancouver Studios

Located just north of Hyde Park, the Vancouver Studios is a splurge-worthy three-star sleeper like few others we visited in London, offering gorgeous, dainty studios. We like the old-fashioned style, excellent location, and back garden, although finding a good price here can be tricky. 

The Vancouver Studios feature updated rooms with printed wallpaper and vibrant velvet bedspreads. Little tables are ideal for a spot of tea or the scribbling of postcards. Rooms are equipped with modern conveniences, including a phone, TV and free Wi-Fi.

The arrangement places a kitchenette in every apartment, a nice perk good for independent travelers who want to shop for food at supermarkets. Kitchenettes break with the design motif—instead of the prim color coordination and restrained girliness otherwise on display in rooms, they consist of modern appliances.

Bathrooms, too, are small yet contemporary, with nice round sinks and rectangular gray raised tile on the walls.

The Vancouver Studios is a good pick for the value-hunting “flash-packer” set: people dead-set on finding good value without being ripped off. We know, £180 isn’t cheap, but for a splurge in London—let alone in a splurge in this expensive neighborhood—the hotel is well-priced.

Note that breakfast is not included in the nightly rate, although a continental breakfast can be purchased for an additional charge. Also lovely are the gorgeous back garden and antiques-strewn common spaces. Wi-Fi is free throughout.