Okay, so first things first – this isn’t actually a hotel, it’s a proper six-bedroom house on Southwick Street, and honestly, that’s what makes it kind of brilliant. I mean, you’re getting this whole Georgian townhouse to yourself (well, your group) right in the heart of Paddington, which is… well, it’s not the prettiest part of London, let’s be real, but the location is absolutely spot-on for getting around.
The thing about Southwick Street is that it’s tucked just behind all the chaos of Paddington Station – you know how that area can feel a bit gritty with all the construction and constant flow of travelers – but once you turn onto this street, it actually quiets down quite a bit. You’re literally a three-minute walk from the Tube, which means you can be in Oxford Circus in about ten minutes, but you’re not dealing with the constant rumble of trains that you get right by the station. The house itself has that classic London feel – high ceilings, original features that haven’t been renovated to death, and enough space that you’re not tripping over each other if you’re traveling with a big group or family.
What I really appreciated was how the place feels lived-in rather than sterile. The kitchen’s actually big enough to cook in (rare for London), and there’s this nice mix of modern stuff that works and period details that give it character. The bedrooms are spread across multiple floors, so if you’ve got kids or that one friend who snores, you can actually get some distance. Parking’s going to be a nightmare – this is central London, after all – but you’re so well connected by public transport that honestly, you don’t need a car anyway. Hyde Park is right there when you need green space, and if you’re into the whole Notting Hill vibe, that’s just a short bus ride west. The 8.6 rating feels about right – it’s not going to blow your mind with luxury touches, but it does exactly what it promises, and for a group booking in this part of town, the value is actually pretty solid. You know what really sold me though? The fact that you can spread out, cook your own breakfast, and still be in the thick of everything without paying those insane central London hotel rates for multiple rooms.