Little Venice is one of London’s quieter triumphs. Tucked between Maida Vale and Paddington, where the Grand Union and Regent’s canals meet, its waterways, houseboats and pale stucco terraces lend the neighbourhood an almost continental ease. There is life here, but it moves at a gentler pace: canal-side cafés, cosy pubs and small restaurants replace crowds and clamour, while boat trips and waterside walks offer a softer version of city living.
Hotel choice in the area reflects that same balance. Rather than large, impersonal chains, Little Venice and its surroundings favour smaller boutique properties, design-led aparthotels and a handful of luxurious stays. Many sit within walking distance of the canal paths, while others are just beyond, close enough to enjoy the neighbourhood’s calm with the advantage of quicker connections into central London.
In this guide, we highlight a carefully curated selection of the best luxury and boutique hotels in and around Little Venice, Maida Vale and nearby Paddington.
The Colonnade Hotel
The Colonnade Hotel sits comfortably within Little Venice rather than trying to announce itself. Housed in a substantial Victorian townhouse a few minutes from the canal, it carries the sort of layered history London wears well. The hotel began as private residences in the 1860s, later a boarding school and medical home and notably the birthplace of Alan Turing in 1912, a detail now quietly acknowledged through the Alan Turing Suite.
Its location is one of its great strengths, peaceful and residential yet close to Warwick Avenue Underground and Paddington, which keeps the rest of the city within easy reach. Inside, the hotel favours the feel of a private London house over that of a statement hotel, with rooms dressed in Egyptian cotton and equipped with the expected comforts, designed to encourage guests to settle in. Downstairs, Banu provides reassuringly unfussy dining, serving everything from breakfast to dinner alongside a traditional afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and handmade pastries, a tone that suits the hotel’s quietly traditional character.
The Carlton Tavern Hotel
Set above the Carlton Tavern Public House in Maida Vale and accessed via a separate entrance through a cobbled courtyard and secluded patio, The Carlton Tavern Hotel feels discreetly removed from the street despite its neighbourhood location. The building has been carefully restored and the eight individually designed rooms nod to local heritage and the area’s conservation status.
Interiors balance classic detail with modern comfort, creating spaces that feel calm, grown-up and quietly confident. Downstairs, the pub remains one of the area’s most characterful locals; upstairs, the atmosphere is more private and residential. With Little Venice a short walk away and Notting Hill and Portobello Road within easy reach, staying here feels distinctly London in the best sense.
Wilde Aparthotels London Paddington
Wilde Aparthotels offers a more contemporary interpretation of boutique luxury. Located near Paddington Basin and within easy walking distance of Little Venice, it combines the polish of a high-end hotel with the flexibility of apartment-style living.
Studios and suites are meticulously designed, favouring clean lines, muted tones and practical layouts, with kitchenettes, generous bathrooms and clever storage making it particularly appealing for longer stays or travellers who prefer a little independence. Its position close to Paddington station is a major advantage, providing excellent transport links across London and beyond, while the canals and quieter streets of Little Venice remain close enough to enjoy on foot.
The Warrington Hotel
The Warrington Hotel is a traditional Victorian pub and boutique hotel dating back to 1857, found in the heart of Maida Vale. Housed within a Grade II listed building that has been carefully restored, it offers a stay that feels truly rooted in London’s past. The building’s history is a colourful one, once owned by the Church of England, before being remodelled in the 19th century to attract a more affluent clientele, incorporating striking features salvaged from an old ship, including the fireplace, bar and staircase that remain in place today.
Upstairs, the hotel is an adults-only affair, with ten individually designed rooms furnished with hand-picked pieces and considered details, from roll-top copper baths to king-sized four-poster beds. Today, The Warrington balances its role as a much-loved local pub with that of a discreet boutique hotel, well positioned for exploring West London, just a short walk from Maida Vale Underground, and within easy reach of Little Venice, Regent’s Park and Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Mason & Fifth Westbourne Park
Mason & Fifth has quickly established itself as one of West London’s most consistently well-regarded boutique hotels. Situated in Westbourne Park, just beyond Little Venice, it feels calm and contemporary. The scale is ambitious yet carefully managed, with hundreds of private studios complemented by a strong emphasis on shared spaces: a canal-side restaurant in collaboration with the team behind Crispin and Bistro Freddie, a wellness area with pool, gym and treatment rooms and a series of communal lounges, including a cinema room and panoramic guest space.
Interiors are modern but warm, with natural materials, good light and uncluttered lines throughout. Service is attentive without being intrusive, lending the experience the feel of a private residence rather than a conventional hotel, while the surrounding neighbourhood offers excellent cafés, transport links and easy access to the canal for morning walks.
For traditional charm and canal-side living, hotels within Little Venice itself remain hard to beat. For contemporary boutique comfort, Paddington and Westbourne Park provide excellent alternatives with stronger transport connections, while luxury is never far away. Ultimately, staying in this part of London is about choosing a base that complements the area’s pace, elegant and understated.
