You know what struck me first about Paddington Apartments? The building itself actually has some character – it’s one of those classic London terraces on Talbot Square that hasn’t been completely gutted and modernized into oblivion. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from Paddington Station, which sounds potentially awful, but honestly the square is tucked away enough that you don’t get the constant rumble of trains or the chaos of commuters dragging suitcases at 6 AM.
The apartments themselves are proper self-catering setups, not just hotel rooms with a mini-fridge thrown in the corner. I was pleasantly surprised by the kitchen facilities – you can actually cook a decent meal if you want to save money or you’re just tired of restaurant food. The furnishings are what I’d call “modern functional” rather than stunning, but everything works and it’s clean, which is more than I can say for some places in this price range. The Wi-Fi is solid (tested it thoroughly while working from the dining table), and the heating actually keeps up with London’s damp chill, though the windows can get a bit rattly when it’s windy. What really sold me on the location was how easy it is to get anywhere – you’ve got the Tube right there, obviously, but also the 205 bus that runs down to King’s Cross, and you can walk to Hyde Park in about eight minutes if you cut through the back streets.
Here’s the thing about staying in this part of Paddington – it’s not trendy or Instagram-perfect, but it’s incredibly practical. There’s a Tesco Express around the corner for groceries, a decent Lebanese place called Maroush that’s open late (locals actually eat there), and you’re close enough to Little Venice that you can wander over for a proper walk along the canal when you need to escape the city buzz. The 7.7 rating feels about right, honestly – it’s not going to blow you away with luxury touches, but it delivers exactly what it promises without any nasty surprises. I’d definitely stay here again, especially for longer trips where having a proper kitchen and separate living space makes all the difference. Just don’t expect concierge service or daily housekeeping – this is more like borrowing a friend’s flat in a really convenient spot.