Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much when I first walked up to 16 Devonshire Terrace – it’s one of those classic London terraced buildings that looks pretty standard from the street. But this Dev3 apartment totally surprised me in the best way possible. The moment you step inside, you realize someone actually put thought into making this place feel like a proper home rather than just another cookie-cutter rental.
The location is what really sells it, though. You’re right in the heart of Paddington, but not the touristy bit near the station – this is the residential part where actual Londoners live. Devonshire Terrace is this quiet tree-lined street that feels worlds away from the chaos, yet you can walk to Hyde Park in literally three minutes (I timed it). The Pakistani restaurants on Edgware Road are just around the corner, and trust me, they’re incredible at 2am when you’re craving proper curry. What I love is that you’re close enough to Paddington Station to get anywhere quickly, but far enough that you don’t hear the constant rumble of trains. The Bakerloo line at Lancaster Gate is actually closer anyway, which most people don’t realize.
The apartment itself has this lovely high-end feel without being stuffy – you know what I mean? The bedroom gets amazing morning light, and the whole place has these period features that remind you you’re staying in a proper London building, not some modern box. The kitchen is actually functional too, which honestly surprised me since most short-term rentals seem to think a kettle and microwave count as cooking facilities. I mean, you’ve got everything you need if you want to grab groceries from the Tesco Express on Sussex Gardens and make breakfast. The WiFi is solid (worked perfectly for video calls), and there’s decent water pressure, which… well, if you’ve stayed in London before, you know that’s not always a given.
One thing worth mentioning – the area can get a bit lively on weekend evenings since you’re near some popular pubs, but it’s not obnoxious noise, just the sound of people having a good time. Actually adds to the neighborhood feel, if you ask me. Parking is typical London street parking (good luck with that), but honestly, you don’t need a car here. The 94 bus practically stops outside your door and takes you straight to Oxford Circus, and the night buses run frequently if you’re out late in Soho or wherever.
What really impressed me was how the owners clearly understand what travelers actually want – proper hangers in the closet, decent lighting for getting ready, a coffee machine that actually works, little touches like that. The whole place just feels considered, you know? It’s the kind of spot where you could easily spend a week and feel like you’re living in London rather than just visiting it. For the price point and that 9.1 rating, I get it – this is exactly what Paddington accommodation should be.