Maitrise Hotel Maida Vale – London

Amid the aging facades on Kilburn High Road, the Maitrise is a modern option that's a relatively reliable, if basic, home base for those who don't want to pay central-London rates. While its immediate location isn’t the most attractive, the hotel is relatively close to some of London’s most desirable areas. Inside the hotel, expect to see details like spherical copper light shades and comfortable brown leather armchairs, giving the hotel a cozy feel. Locals, tourists, and businesspeople drift in and out of the well-appointed Rafkins lounge, which is found just off the lobby. Guests have complained that check-in can take some time, especially during busy periods, and there is some wear and tear throughout the property. Overall, though, this is a reasonably up-to-date hotel in a well-positioned part of town for travelers who don't mind relying on the tube to get around. 

Nestled between the more exclusive West Hampstead and Maida Vale neighborhoods, Kilburn certainly doesn’t share its neighbors' good looks. Even so, this is a vibrant area that -- if you’re willing to look hard enough -- has some great eateries and quirky stores. The hotel sits right on Kilburn High Road, which is mostly made up of chain coffee shops and some high-street stores. It’s a four-minute walk to Kilburn Park Station, which takes you straight to Oxford Street (via the Bakerloo Line) in under 20 minutes. Maida Vale's station is a 13-minute walk from the hotel. For sporting fans, Lord’s Cricket Ground is under 10 minutes away by car while Wembley Stadium is a 25-minute drive away. If the built-up Kilburn location leaves you craving some greenery, beautiful Queen’s Park is about 20 minutes away on foot. Heathrow Airport is 45 minutes away by car, depending on the traffic. It's only a 30-minute trip by using the tube and trains, while Gatwick Airport is a little over an hour away by train. 

The rooms here are fairly generic, but all are modern (even if a bit of wear and tear is evident). Mahogany wood headboards and cream leather accents keep things looking current. The crisp bed linens and stylish splashes of red in the bathrooms are particularly attractive. Given its location on a busy high street, there are surprisingly few noise complaints, and we heard little noise from external sources during our 2017 visit. Some rooms are undeniably compact, which makes the several windowless rooms an undesirable option for many. Check ahead if you’d rather avoid one of these units. Other features are fairly standard, and limited to air-conditioning, safes, flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and electric kettles. Bathrooms are a good size and include toiletries, showers, toiletries, heated towel racks, and a decent amount of counter space. 

Features at this hotel are a little sparse, though the ones on offer are helpful. The stand-out is Rafkins Coffee Lounge and Bar. It’s a lovely multi-functional space with comfy sofa seats for coffee and more elegant bar stools and formal seating for cocktails and lunches. The food served is particularly good and outstrips the neighboring competition. Cakes and pastries are well-liked, as are the generous breakfasts (which cost extra). There aren’t any meeting rooms or event spaces, and the lack of a gym is a little disappointing, though guests can use a nearby gym. Keep in mind that access is only free with some rates. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel and worked well during our stay.