You know what struck me first about this Paddington spot? It’s actually tucked away on Westbourne Terrace in a way that feels properly residential – none of that touristy chaos you get right around the station itself. I mean, you’re literally a five-minute walk from Paddington, but the street has this lovely tree-lined vibe that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into a quieter corner of London that most visitors never see.
The apartment itself is honestly better than I expected from the photos (and that’s saying something, because they looked pretty good). It’s one of those converted Victorian buildings where they’ve managed to keep the character – high ceilings, big windows that actually let in proper light – while making everything feel genuinely modern. The kitchen was well-stocked enough that I could make breakfast without having to hunt down a decent spoon, which, trust me, isn’t always a given with London rentals. What really got me though was how quiet it stays at night. Westminster Borough can be hit or miss with noise, but this stretch of Westbourne Terrace settles down nicely after the commuter rush clears out.
Location-wise, you’re sort of perfectly positioned without realizing it at first. Sure, everyone talks about being near Paddington for the Heathrow Express – and yes, that’s incredibly handy – but what they don’t mention is that you’re a quick walk to both Hyde Park (the less crowded northern edge) and Little Venice, which honestly feels like a completely different city when you’re wandering along the canal on a Sunday morning. The local Tesco Express is right there when you need basics, and there’s this Turkish restaurant called Maroush just down toward Edgware Road that does incredible late-night food if you’re dealing with jet lag or just want something proper after a long day of sightseeing. I actually ended up there twice during my stay – the lamb was ridiculous.
The whole Morethanstays setup worked smoothly too, which isn’t something I always take for granted with apartment rentals. Check-in was straightforward, the WiFi actually worked well enough for video calls (crucial if you’re trying to work remotely), and when I had a small issue with the shower pressure, someone sorted it out the same day. That 8.7 rating makes sense – it’s the kind of place that gets the details right without making a big show of it. Honestly, if you want to feel like you’re staying somewhere with a bit of local character rather than just another hotel room near a major transport hub, this place delivers on that front really well.