The 64-room Park Grand London Lancaster Gate is a sharp upper-middle-range hotel in London's Bayswater area, a five-minute walk from Hyde Park. Rooms are smart and stylish, with contemporary bathrooms, iPod docks, and flat-screen TVs. A cooked breakfast or continental option is offered, though it's not free with all bookings. The small garden is a plus, as is free Wi-Fi, but lunch and dinner aren't offered, and the hotel lacks a fitness center. Both Paddington train station and the Lancaster Gate underground station are both five minutes away on foot. For a historical hotel that's retained it's character, guests may want to look into Thistle Hyde Park, where rates are only slightly more expensive.

The 48-room Royal Park Hotel is located on a tree-lined street within an easy walk of Paddington Station. This boutique hotel -- with its central location just north of Hyde Park -- is appealing for more than just quick access to Heathrow Airport via Paddington station. Rooms are classic and comfortable with antique flourishes and modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi. Additional perks include a free glass of champagne every evening and a leafy terrace garden. While there is no tea or coffee in rooms and some guests complain about thin walls, this hotel is a great pick for its location, luxurious limestone bathrooms, and the sophisticated Hyde Bar.

The Royal Lancaster London is a classic upscale property in London’s Bayswater district, overlooking Hyde Park. The location is ideal for travelers, as Hyde Park is packed with picturesque spots and the tube is essentially downstairs. Interiors are fresh and modern as of our 2018 visit, due to a recent renovation. There are 411 rooms, and the nicest feature Nespresso Machines, white marble bathrooms, and panoramic views of London’s skyline. While they vary in size, all have a sharp, modern look and include seating and White Company bath products as standard. The Hyde Lobby Bar and Nipa Thai restaurant are well-liked, and other on-site features include honey from rooftop hives and a 24-hour fitness center. Travelers seeking a more intimate, boutique vibe could check out nearby La Suite West instead. 

This boutique hotel has a great West End location with efficient transport links to Heathrow Airport, and rooms are refreshingly colorful and modern -- but the almost futuristic style of the lobby might not be to everyone's taste. The fitness center is a perk for a hotel of this size, as is the inclusion of a stylish brasserie on-site. Overall, though, Hotel Indigo lacks the amenities of a larger hotel, and cheap materials can make the funky, stylish decor feel a bit less high-end than the decor at some competing four-pearl properties.

Located outside Hyde Park in Bayswater, the Grand Royale London Hyde Park is a hotel set in a striking turn-of-the-century Edwardian building. While rooms are on the small side, they are clean and cozy with free Wi-Fi and refreshments. This historic hotel is near many iconic attractions such as Kensington Palace, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Natural History Museum. Several tubes lines (with easy airport access) are nearby.

Conveniently positioned between Hyde Park and Paddington Station, this four-pearl Mercure property has 72-rooms spread over a series of gorgeous, garden-facing Victorian townhouses. Short on space but not on style, the boutique hotel offers a bold contemporary twist on traditional decor in both its common areas and guest rooms -- the latter all outfitted with mini-fridges, interactive flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi. The property also has a popular lobby bar plus three meeting rooms and a basement gym; however, the free loaner smart phones may be the most appreciated perk. If this hotel is fully booked, a comparable converted building nearby is the Park Grand London Paddington.

Housed in a partially-preserved Victorian building on a quiet street just off the main-strip madness, Park Grand London Paddington's classically chic style blends both past and present. This 158-room hotel is geared heavily toward business travelers, but its undeniably convenient location to several tube stations and London Paddington National Rail station make it ideal for many types of travelers. Compared to its nearby sister property Park Grand Hyde Park, this hotel has slightly more spacious rooms, a few more features, and a dash of extra style for around the same price.

The Blakemore Hyde Park hotel is a 138-room, upscale property located in the wealthy Bayswater neighborhood, just a three-minute walk from Hyde Park. Decor is sophisticated throughout, and the hotel offers amenities not always found in central London properties. There's a fine-dining restaurant with outdoor terrace seating, a refined bar and lounge, and a pleasant breakfast room where a free continental breakfast is served (hot breakfast costs extra). Wellness amenities are limited, but a small gym has some cardio and weightlifting equipment. Contemporary rooms offer plush accents and modern amenities like rainfall showers, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi, but entry-level rooms are small. Another alternative to consider could be Thistle Hyde Park, which sits right along Hyde Park, but decor there can feel a bit dated.

The upscale, 389-room Corus Hotel is situated in a Georgian mansion at the top of Hyde Park. It's a two-minute walk to Lancaster Gate tube station, with most major attractions reachable within 20 minutes. A conservatory-style restaurant and bar overlooks Hyde Park and serves an extensive breakfast buffet (fee) along with lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea. There's also an Italian restaurant on the ground floor with an opera-singing waitstaff. The major disappointment here are the standard-level rooms -- tiny, with lackluster decor and limited amenities. Upgraded rooms are better and include extras like mini-fridges and espresso machines. Travelers could also consider the nearby Lancaster London, which has comparable rates, a Thai restaurant, and a nicer fitness center.

This upscale boutique hotel in West London has 80 stylish -- but compact -- rooms. In a quiet area, but with plenty of attractions nearby, it provides a peaceful retreat, and the Japanese-style decor adds to the tranquil feel. The hotel’s owner dictates that no alcohol is served on the premises, and the restaurant only serves vegan food. Breakfast is not included and is on the pricey side, in line with the expensive room rates.

As a popular serviced apartments accommodation located in quiet, upscale Bayswater, the upscale Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments is generally suited for longer stays. Don't expect top luxury, but there are spacious rooms, comfortable beds and 2014 refurbishments brought larger TV sets and new carpets.

The 59-room Go Native Hyde Park is an apartment-style hotel in centrally located Paddington. Situated in an elegant London row house, the four-pearl property is across from charming Sussex Gardens. Apartment decor ranges from ultra-luxe to minimalist-chic, with flat-screen TVs, stainless steel and Bosch kitchen appliances, and bathrooms with heated towel racks and products from The White Company. Freebies include Wi-Fi, coffee, tea, and milk that's restocked daily. Higher-end flats can have more lavish bedding, bigger closets, and iPod docks. But there's little in the way of features: no room service, on-site parking, fitness center, restaurant, or bar. Some guests say there's noise on lower floors, marked-up walls, and some less-than-clean living spaces. Travelers seeking a quieter neighborhood and a better rate might opt for Grand Plaza Serviced Apartments in Bayswater. 

Created by acclaimed British designer Anouska Hempel more than a decade ago, this boutique hotel features a unique, Zen-inspired vibe that incorporates minimalist decor and a neutral color scheme. However, the property looks a bit past its prime, with faded paint and tired furnishings throughout. Rates are fairly reasonable considering the hotel's exclusivity (Michael Jackson once stayed and stars such as Keanu Reeves have reportedly been spotted), but the competitive price point and innovative design may not be enough to make up for the wear and tear.