For years, living in London meant I rarely had a reason to stay in a London hotel. But when I finally had the opportunity to spend a few nights at the Grand Royale London Hyde Park, I was curious to experience the city from a visitor’s perspective.
And this certainly isn’t an ordinary-looking London hotel.
Set inside an impressive historic building in Bayswater, the Grand Royale combines elaborate interiors and plenty of character with a location that makes exploring London incredibly easy.
In this Grand Royale London Hyde Park review, I’m sharing my honest experience of the room, location and breakfast, including the things I loved and the things I think you should know before booking.
This post contains affiliate links. If you book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. My opinions and recommendations remain my own.
Is Grand Royale London Hyde Park Worth Staying At?
For me, the biggest reasons to stay here are the location and the character of the hotel.
The historic interiors are beautiful, and you’re very well placed for exploring Hyde Park, Bayswater and the rest of central London.
My room was quite small, and the Wi-Fi during my stay wasn’t the best, so I wouldn’t describe my experience as perfect. But if you’re looking for a characterful London base and expect to spend most of your time exploring the city, I think Grand Royale is well worth considering.
Location: Is Grand Royale London Hyde Park Well Located?
Yes, location is one of the hotel’s strongest points.
Grand Royale is in Bayswater, close to both Queensway and Bayswater Underground stations and within easy walking distance of Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens.
I found this incredibly convenient for getting around London.
For visitors who want to spend their days sightseeing rather than travelling backwards and forwards from the outskirts of the city, this is exactly the kind of location I would look for.
First Impressions and the Historic Interior
The exterior immediately caught my attention, but the grandeur continues when you step inside.
There is beautiful wood panelling, paintings, marble fireplaces and crystal chandeliers, giving parts of the hotel an almost regal atmosphere.
The hotel’s history is particularly interesting. According to the hotel, the building was commissioned by Edward VII for actress Lillie Langtry and was designed by French architect Charles Frédéric Mewès.
It gives the hotel much more personality than a typical modern chain hotel.
What Was My Room Like?
My room was cosy and had everything I needed for a comfortable stay, although it was definitely on the small side.
The bed was extremely comfortable, and the linens felt soft and luxurious.
Personally, the room size didn’t bother me too much because I spent most of my time out exploring London. If you’re planning to spend a lot of time in your room or you’re travelling with plenty of luggage, however, I would take the room category and size into consideration when booking.
The main downside during my stay was the Wi-Fi, which wasn’t particularly good.
That didn’t ruin my stay, but it’s something I would have wanted to know beforehand, particularly if I had been relying on the hotel Wi-Fi for work.
What Is Breakfast Like at Grand Royale London Hyde Park?
During my stay, breakfast offered a selection including an English breakfast, toast, cereals, fruit and hot drinks.
I thought it was decent, but personally I would rather head out and explore one of the many cafés and restaurants in the surrounding area.
That’s one of the benefits of staying in Bayswater: you certainly aren’t short of places to eat.
If convenience is more important to you, having breakfast at the hotel may make perfect sense. But if, like me, you enjoy discovering local cafés when you travel, I’d consider exploring the neighbourhood instead.
Pros and Cons of Grand Royale London Hyde Park
What I liked
- Beautiful historic interiors
- Excellent location for exploring London
- Close to Hyde Park
- Convenient Underground connections
- Comfortable bed
- Plenty of character
What I liked less
- My room was quite small.
- The Wi-Fi wasn’t great during my stay.
- I personally preferred eating breakfast outside the hotel.
Who Would I Recommend This Hotel For?
I think Grand Royale London Hyde Park works particularly well for travellers who want a convenient base for sightseeing and value character and location over having a huge hotel room.
It could be a good fit if you’re visiting London for a few days and plan to spend most of your time exploring.
If room size is one of your priorities, I would pay particular attention to the different room categories before booking.
Grand Royale London Hyde Park: Practical Information
Area: Bayswater, London
Nearest Underground stations: Queensway and Bayswater
Nearby: Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
Hotel category: 4-star
Best for: London sightseeing, short city breaks and travellers who value location and historic character
Nearest Underground stations: Queensway and Bayswater
Nearby: Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
Hotel category: 4-star
Best for: London sightseeing, short city breaks and travellers who value location and historic character
Hotel facilities, room categories and prices can change, so check the latest information for your dates before booking.
My Verdict: Would I Stay at Grand Royale London Hyde Park Again?
Planning more of your London stay? Read my British Museum 90-minute tour review or my HMS Belfast London review.
Yes, particularly for the location.
My stay wasn’t flawless. The room was small, and the Wi-Fi could have been better. But I loved the character of the building, the comfortable bed and how easy it was to get around London.
The hotel feels very different from a generic modern property, and those beautiful historic interiors give it a personality of its own.
If you’re looking for a conveniently located London hotel near Hyde Park and don’t mind a potentially compact room, Grand Royale London Hyde Park is one I’d consider.
