The rooms were a bit small, but then you really aren't there for the room. The hotel, as it is called, takes over two townhouses, with another building around the corner which they call an annex. The annex is supposed to be quieter because it is off the main road. This books up fast as there are only a few rooms. If you're staying here, you'll have to walk to the main building for breakfast. There are a combination of rooms with and without private baths. They also offer a student rate. The staff was very friendly. Although the wallpaper was a bit dingy, they had remodeled a bit. Breakfast was in the basement--at a reasonable time as well. You didn't have to get up at 7am to eat. It went from 7:30 to 10am so at least you could get down there by 10 and still enjoy a relaxing breakfast. As in most of London, decaf coffee came in the form of Nescafe Packets. There was no decaf tea to be found.

It occupies three adjoining 1850s houses in stately St George’s Drive, and a smaller townhouse in nearby Cambridge Street. Serena von der Heyde, great great granddaughter of the original owner, is the manager and lives and works in the area.

After agonising over accommodation choices, we found the property in a British Tourism Association publication titled "Budget B&Bs in London" and liked the sound of their policy to provide "…warm, helpful service; clean, comfortable and attractive rooms; and a top quality English breakfast." Well, on balance we reckon we got that, and more. Here’s just three episodes from our week-long stay:

How long will you be in the wardrobe, dear?
Our double was GBP46 a night – large, bright and clean, high ceilings with decorated cornices and French windows opening to a small balcony overlooking the street. Modest furnishings provided the essentials along with telephone, television and tea and coffee making. Karen unpacked her travel bag, expecting to hang a few wrinkled artefacts ready for an assault of the city, only to find the wardrobe came with hot and cold running water.

This was our introduction to the London shower closet. We wondered about the plumbing and salt damp in these old Georgian buildings, not to mention the risk of sleeping directly under someone’s shower on the (not so stable) floor above.

Breakfast beverages
Full English breakfast. That means you leave full, very full. Sausages, eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, potatoes, cereal, toast, porridge, pastries… They’re all served in the crowded downstairs breakfast room by attentive and friendly (mainly Spanish) staff. Then there are the beverages; different teas, coffee, even chocolate. But I wanted orange juice. I like it. And after eight hours sleep I get thirsty.

Herein lies a curious traveller’s axiom: "Any fruit juice served at breakfast must be served in the smallest glass available." Any other time it''s a tall glass with ice, sometimes even a little umbrella. I still chuckle at The Georgian’s adaptation of the axiom…

The first glass held two mouthfuls. My request for another was met with an incredulous look – and a smaller glass. My third attempt revealed what resembled a shot glass. I would have coffee tomorrow.

Trevor the Brave
Our days were spent discovering the city, and often we’d be walking home and see our balcony windows open, curtains waving. Trevor was visiting again. He was the local electrician, hired to rewire the building - starting in our room - it’s just a pity nobody told us.

We’d sit and chat over a cuppa. Trevor was Scottish and his claim to fame was being an extra in Braveheart, which apparently involved "lots of running around, screaming and face painting."

Give the Georgian House a go, I guarantee a memorable stay.