Point A Hotel – London Paddington

While many budget London properties are slightly worn or feel a tad cheap, the clean and comfortable Point A Hotel, Paddington looks fresh, hip, and modern. Decor colors consist of bold reds, blacks, and bright whites with an exterior of red and brown brick in public spaces. Rooms tend to have a more serene color palette. The overall vibe is chill, funky, and respectable. Most of the guests are savvy budget travelers, although a few business travelers can be found roaming the halls or sitting in the chic cafe lounge.

Point A Hotel, Paddington is located between the Edgware Road and Paddington station tube stops (although closer to Edgware Rd.), on the quieter side of the otherwise bustling Praed Street. Within walking access to several tube lines (Circle, District, Bakerloo, and Hammersmith & City) all areas of London are easily accessible. Hyde Park is about 10 minutes south by foot. This area, while a fantastic transport hub, doesn't provide much by way of entertainment or tourist interests. Heathrow Airport is less than 30 minutes west by public transport and about 35 minutes away by car. Gatwick Airport is about an hour and 15 minutes south.

Guests at Point A Hotel, London Paddington can expect every one of the 137 rooms to include a high-quality bed, manufactured by the same company that provides five-pearl hotels their mattresses. Also on hand is a private en-suite bathroom with a heated, powerful rainhead shower and keycard entry. Similar to some pod hotel spaces, the units are designed to be functionally compact. Housekeeping will visit every third day, with a more frequent option available for a fee. The cheapest rooms are windowless and rooms on the lower levels pick up subway noise. Wi-Fi is free.

As part of a value chain, Point A Hotel, London Paddington's features are basic but presented well. Everything is streamlined and spotless, and seems to be well thought out, from the 24-hour cafe to the entry restrictions after midnight. The cafe is located off the lobby and features a menu of snacks, sandwiches, and Lavazza coffee drinks. Seating areas consist of high top tables, trendy leather sofas, and a few bar stools. Also located in this immediate area are computer stations, where, for a fee (you guessed it), guests can access the Internet. Built-in security features of the hotel include 24-hour CCTV cameras and no entry into the lobby/reception area without a keycard after midnight. Luggage storage is available for a nominal charge, although if you arrive early for check-in you may be required to pay a higher fee for your bags to be held.