And what a house to rest in! Designed by husband-and-wife owners Steven and Jane alongside acclaimed interior designer Russell Sage, the decor oozes Regency elegance. Inspired by members of Jane and Henry Austen’s family, each of the 6 rooms is filled with antique furniture, artwork and decadent fabrics, all carefully selected to fit the unique character of this historic address.
The magic of the house is in the details. Staff are on hand for any request, big or small. Fancy afternoon tea? No problem. Want to organise a family get-together complete with entertainment? Lean back and enjoy the show! And small gestures like complimentary drinks at ‘Henry’s Hour’ and customisable three-course breakfasts make your stay truly unique. Come with a loved one and revel in the olde English charm, or bring your friends and book out the whole place for one jolly good party.
Highs
- Nestled in the middle of London, close to Paddington, Hyde Park and Marble Arch, this is the perfect base for urban explorers
- We really can’t emphasise the attentiveness of the staff enough
- The whole house exudes character; you'll really feel like you've stepped back in time to Georgian London (but with modern conveniences like TVs and A/C)
- The ‘Snug’, decorated like an old fashioned railway carriage, the two parlours and the roof terrace are perfect for relaxing and entertaining
- Look out for the first edition Jane Austen novels
Lows
- There is not much in terms of amenities - and anything extra comes with a price tag on top of the already high room prices
- Breakfast is served on a large communal table, so you eat with the other guests - if the hotel was full, we can imagine it could become busy quite quickly
- The rooms can be on the small side, with some not getting much natural light - this is typical of London townhouses
Best time to go
Our top tips
- Boutique Townhouse
- 6 rooms
- Breakfast (+ other meals on request)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
- Concierge Service
- Chef on request
Rooms
Each of the six rooms has its own distinct character and is named after an Austen family member. In Eliza’s room (beloved wife and cousin of Henry), the shimmer of the bathroom backsplash complements the colour of the lampshades, and the fabric of the canopy bed perfectly matches the candy-striped wallpaper. Frank (Henry's brother) is a smart, military-inspired space, while Cassandra (Henry's sister) is painted in a pretty duck-egg blue and is lit by a chandelier.
In all, you will find kingsize beds or twins, gorgeous artwork and various antique pieces, each adding to the hotel's Georgian feel. Rooms all come with a TV, air conditioning, underfloor heating and ensuite bathrooms. We would recommend booking a room on the first two floors if you are after a soak in one of the clawfoot baths, as third-floor rooms Phylly and Charles only come with showers.
The elegant decor continues in the common areas. The Carriage Snug is perfect for some quiet reflection or enjoying a drink. Jane’s reading room and Henry’s room are better for more social affairs, where you can meet other guests or admire the art collection.
Features include:
- Bathrobes
- Hairdryer
- Safe box
- WiFi
Eating
In the basement of the house is the pantry, which has a large communal table where breakfast is served each morning. You'll get a selection of pastries from local delis, smoothies, vitamin shots, and a cooked breakfast of your choice. The staff were great when it came to accommodating our dietary requests.
Although there is no formal lunch or dinner service, chefs can be arranged on request, as can high teas, pizza nights, you name it. Otherwise, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to local restaurants, with Marylebone, Soho and Noho all being gastro hubs - ask staff for recommendations.
All guests get a complimentary glass of fizz on arrival - or a soft drink if you prefer - and a glass of wine during Henry's Hour, every evening between 6 & 7pm.
Features include:
- Bar
- Breakfast
- Dinner by arrangement
- Lunch by arrangement
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Shop in the boutiques, designer stores and homewares on Marylebone High Street. Look out for Daunt Books, the first custom-built bookshop in the world and one of the most beautiful of its kind in London
- Art enthusiasts should head to The Wallace Collection with its 25 galleries of fine and decorative arts from the 15th - 19th centuries, located a few streets away
- Enjoy a morning stroll in Hyde Park, just a couple of minutes from the hotel. Enter at Speaker's Corner, then walk around The Serpentine lake, passing the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain and Kensington Palace
- Cross Oxford Street and you'll enter Mayfair, London's wealthiest district. Lap it up as you browse the smart tailors on Savile Row, see the window displays at Fortnum & Mason, then go for afternoon tea at Claridge's
- Head for Wigmore Hall on Wigmore Street for chamber music and intimate classical concerts
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Historical sites
- Museums / galleries
- Nightlife
- Shopping / markets
Kids
Whilst Henry’s Townhouse has a very adult atmosphere, children of all ages are welcome. There isn't a lot for kids to do on site, but there are heaps of fun museums and activities in the area - Madame Tussauds and The Sherlock Holmes Museum are within easy walking distance. Cots can be added to most rooms.
Best for:
Babies (0-1 years), Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
A baby cot can be added to Cassandra, Eliza, James and Phylly. For families with older children, James has a sofabed. For families of four or five, it is recommended to book both second-floor bedrooms, James and Frank, so you have the whole floor to yourselves.
Cots Available
Baby equipment:
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
Distances:
- Shops: 2 minutes
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Henry’s Townhouse is located in central London, Marylebone, 15 minutes’ walk from Paddington station and 7 minutes from the Marble Arch station on the Central line.
By Air
Fly into Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted or Luton. You could take a taxi from the airport but it's expensive and London has excellent public transport links from all airports.
By Train:
Henry's Townhouse is well served by the London Underground network; Marble Arch tube station is within easy walking distance. Nearby Paddington is one of the main termini for London, with five tube lines as well as the Elizabeth Line (direct fast trains to Heathrow) passing through it. International Eurostar trains arrive at St Pancras station, a short tube ride from the hotel.
By Car:
Driving around London is generally best avoided, however, car hire is possible. There's no parking at the hotel, and note that you may be affected by the London congestion charge.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.
Airports:
- London Heathrow 26.0 km LHR
- London City 19.0 km LCY
Other:
- Beach 69.0 km
- Shops 0.1 km
- Restaurant 0.1 km