Sydney House Chelsea

Sydney
House is housed in a converted and well-preserved Georgian townhouse from 1829, and it's the
first London foray for the ABode group, which has hotels across the UK. The exterior
branding is so discreet that this looks like just another smartly presented
London townhouse. Inside, the simple yet stylish open-plan approach to
decor is similarly low-key. The combined lobby/lounge has a contemporary
design, with hardwood flooring, pleasant modern prints on bright white walls,
and a chunky wood-framed sofa with purple upholstery facing a modern fireplace. This pleasant space has large street-facing windows and built-in
wall shelving stacked with reading material. Bright corridors have white walls
that are half wood-paneled and elegant patterned brown carpet -- though the elevator
is tiny. The functional breakfast room has similarly contemporary decor, and the
small, intimate lobby bar sports pastel pink walls, red leather seats at a
wooden counter, and a separate mirror-backed bar. Both spaces have suspended spotlights
resting on glass shelves, which makes for a chic effect.

Sydney
House is set in a quiet, upmarket, and friendly residential neighborhood in
Chelsea, full of well-preserved historical buildings. There’s excellent access
to public transport -- South Kensington tube station is a five-minute walk or
two-minute taxi ride away -- and numerous bars and restaurants are within
walking distance. The hotel is also a popular choice among patients at the
Royal Marsden Hospital, a three-minute walk away. The Victoria and
Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, and Science Museum are all under 10
minutes away on foot. It’s an 11-minute walk to King’s Road, famous for its
trendy boutique shops, and upmarket Knightsbridge is a 14-minute walk away. Hyde Park and Kensington
Gardens are a 10-minute public transport ride or seven-minute cab journey from
the hotel, while Piccadilly Circus is a 14-minute tube ride or 10-minute drive away. Popular attractions like Big Ben, Buckingham
Palace, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Eye, and Oxford Street are all about a 20-minute tube ride away. The
closest airport is Heathrow, a 45-minute public transport ride or 25-minute
drive from the hotel, while Gatwick Airport is about an hour away by public transport or car.

The quiet and individually heated and air-conditioned guest rooms continue
the Sydney House's simple but stylish, uncluttered design approach. Chunky blond wood is a
pleasant, reoccurring theme. Compact Deluxe Doubles have large,
comfortable beds with goose down quilts, Egyptian cotton linen, and colorful
patchwork runners; elegant headboards merge panels of off-white fabric
and tanned wood. Bright white walls with graphic prints lend an airy, modern feel, alongside
gorgeous original sash windows. Small built-in wooden bedside tables, petite chunky wooden desks, little closets, and dark red leather tub seats make the most of the space. (Some rooms
have attractive chunky wood-framed chairs with chic cream upholstery.) Premier Deluxe Doubles are more spacious, and have hardwood flooring in the bedrooms. Chic bathrooms have
shower/tub combos with fixed showerheads and elegant freestanding sinks on
white vanities with large mirrors. Individual Malin + Goetz toiletries are a
welcome touch.Flat-screen
TVs and DVD players come standard (though the hotel doesn’t provide loaner DVDs),
as do hairdryers, bathrobes, phones, free Wi-Fi, safes, and free drinking water
in eco-friendly glass bottles. There are no minibars or mini-fridges, however, nor does the hotel offer coffee- and tea-making facilities (there’s free tea and coffee in the lobby
bar). Rooms have pleasant neighborhood views, and some have small balconies
with outdoor seating. The top-floor double room has a gorgeous private wood-decked
roof garden with plants, a dining table and chairs, and fantastic views. Do
note that the age of the building means there are "half floors" not served by
the elevator, so some rooms are accessed by way of steps, a potential problem for those with mobility issues.

As expected
in a boutique of this size, Sydney House offers limited facilities. There’s a
pleasant lounge in the lobby, but no gym or business center; nor is there an on-site
restaurant. The a la carte breakfast is excellent, but it’s not included in
rates and can be pricey. The lobby bar has free Nespresso coffee, freshly
ground espresso-based coffee, tea, and drinking water, as well as a selection
of wines and spirits; there’s also great 24/7 room service. A drawing room and
boardroom are available for hire for meetings of up to 16 people, there’s free
and fast Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and guests also get free newspapers.
There’s no on-site parking, but there are local car parks nearby; guests also
report that getting on-street parking isn’t a problem.