Park Grand Paddington Court

The hotel, from a design standpoint, is as safe as one can expect from a big chain accommodation. With that said, the rooms and public spaces are nicely decorated (albeit with a bit of a generic look) and can certainly impress at times, especially in the lobby. The reception area is adorned with mural-size black and white photographs from Paddington Station and antique-looking light fixtures that give the hotel a historical, welcoming feel. Elsewhere in the hotel, such as the breakfast room or upstairs bar, the decor and design details look a tad more modern (think large white tile floors and contemporary lighting), which makes the space appear brighter and more open.

The hotel is located just down the street from Paddington Station, which has access to several tube lines as well as the Heathrow Express train. Furthermore, Paddington has a great selection of restaurants (especially Italian) and tourist shops nearby, not to mention several old English-style pubs. The Park Grand Paddington Court London is less than a 10-minute walk from Hyde Park and about a 15-minute walk from Kensington Gardens. Other attractions are a bit farther away, such as Kensington Palace and Notting Hill Gate, which are both around a 20-minute walk from the hotel.

There's no denying that the hotel has limited space and most of the rooms in the main building are quite tiny. With that said, the rooms make the most of the space that is given to them, and come complete with large flat-screen TVs, a desk unit with both UK and EU electrical sockets, and even some extra seating in slightly larger rooms. Decor is contemporary -- though somewhat generic -- with plain wood furnishings, padded headboards, and neutral color schemes offset by deep jewel tones. The free toiletries in the bathrooms are a perk. However, the bathrooms are also quite small across the board.

The Park Grand Paddington Court London does manage to fit in a few extra spaces for guests to enjoy. The upstairs bar is well laid out with high ceilings and modern decor, and offers satellite TV and a wide array of cocktails. People staying in the Club rooms also have access to free snacks and soft drinks nightly in the bar. There's one meeting room for small functions, complete with a small drinks table with refreshments. The breakfast room offers a large buffet and ample seating, but can tend to get packed in the mornings due to its small capacity. There is also a tiny fitness center, with just a couple of treadmills for guest use.