Paddington is a pretty bustling area with the grand train station attracting an influx of travellers around the clock from the Heathrow Express and beyond.
But nestled away just a hop and a skip over the road is the new Pilgrm hotel, which offers a slice of calm from the madness.
The boutique-styled spot boasts 73 rooms, which are well-appointed and decked out with all of the essentials from REN bathroom products to hairdryers and neat Bluetooth Marshall speakers.
Catering to different types of travellers, there are three categories of room, including the ‘bunk’, ‘small’, ‘medium’ and ‘large’ with prices starting at just £99.
It was a Saturday evening and I checked a ‘large’ suite on the 4th floor.
It took a little bit of navigating the rabbit-warren like period building before I pinpointed the muted-colour room complete with green wall plants and a flat screen TV.
It was mid-afternoon and on diving into the snuggly bed I swiftly fell asleep, with the gurgle of tourists in the streets outside providing a comforting melody.
At 7pm, I headed down to the lounge for a bite to eat. This place has a great relaxed atmosphere, with a smooth music selection and flattering mood lighting.
It’s definitely somewhere I would consider heading back to even if I wasn’t checking in at the hotel.
The food menu is reasonably priced and they serve stellar pre-mixed small batch cocktails which guarantee to agree with even the most hardy of connoisseurs.
The small dining room, which has a mix of tables and sofa-style seating, gradually filled out as 8 o’clock came around and there was a nice buzz.
To kick things off, I ordered a very moreish bowl of truffle scented nuts along with a giant bowl of buttery green olives – both a steal at £3 per pot.
When it came to mains, there was a novel selection of things to choose from… think cheese toasties, bacon butties and falafel, all priced around a reasonable £10 each.
Hankering after something on the lighter scale, I opted for a deliciously flavoursome roast vegetable salad while my companion went for the fish tacos.
We rounded things off with two crisp, clean cocktails – the gin-based Silvertone and the cognac-based Harvard. Our lovely waiter informed us that all of the cocktails at the Pilgrm are pre-mixed and bottled to cut out the bar waiter given the venue’s small size but we really couldn’t tell and were thoroughly impressed.
To top off our nicely portioned – and artfully-presented – mains, we shared a plate chocolate mousse drizzled with chocolate sauce and hazelnuts.
Feeling perfectly stuffed, and lacking energy to hit the town, we ambled upstairs to bed.
The gurgle of tourists continued with the window ajar, but it lulled me to sleep like a dream.
After a wash in the economically-proportioned rain shower, I trundled back downstairs for breakfast.
The Pilgrm serves up a generous breakfast buffet, and I tucked into a bowl of freshly cut fruit with grilled banana, topped with a dollop of yogurt, peanut butter and honey. (Yes, I like to mix things up!)
We also put in an order for the Pilgrm cooked breakfast along with other diners and the hearty plate of baked beans, black pudding bubble and squeak, fried hen’s egg and avocado cream didn’t disappoint.
If you’re looking for a good-value central place to stay in London – especially if you’re connecting in Paddington – I can’t recommend the Pilgrm enough.
This kooky Victorian townhouse is guaranteed to make you feel right at home and makes for the perfect base camp.
It’s unpretentious, unfussy and does what it says on the tin.
The Pilgrm is located at 25 London St, Paddington, London W2 1HH, UK
To book a stay or dining spot visit thepilgrm.com or call 020 7667 6000
