Recommendations for hotels in London close to Paddington Station?

Do you really have to limit yourself to Paddington? I know the HEX goes there (and only there) but the tube and Elizabeth Line open up far more options. And what is your budget (in GBP)?

We are thinking about mid-range prices, according to Rick Steves' book. We would also consider a little higher. We will be in London briefly, heading to Paris for another brief stay and then joining our RS tour.
Thank you!

There’s a brand new Premier Inn right by Paddington station.

But if you take the cheaper Elizabeth Line instead of the Heathrow Express, that opens up more of London.

If you do want to stay near Paddington (which we frequently do for a short stay), see if Hotel Indigo fits your budget. It is a very nice modern hotel just half a block from the station entrance. Prices vary with the date. It is a member of the IHG chain (Holiday Inn Express, Kimpton Hotels, etc)e a positive or a negative for you.

A nice new-ish boutique (and independent) hotel close by is the Pilgrm (yes, spelled that way); it is listed in the Michelin Guide for its ambiance. Review score on booking.com is rather low (7.7) because the rooms are small, but no one faults the friendliness or cleanliness. I keep meaning to book there but haven’t yet.

https://guide.michelin.com/us/en/hotels-stays/london/the-pilgrm-8685?arr=2024-12-08&dep=2024-12-09

It is a longer walk down to Bayswater to Hotel 63 by Kensington Gardens, but this place is well-regarded by some of the London regulars here. The Lancaster Gate tube stop is close, or you can catch the 148 bus which goes to Westminster Abbey and Big Ben.

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route-maps/key-bus-routes-in-central-london.pdf

Here is a recent review from someone who stayed at the newest Premier Inn Paddington. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/london-again-day-1-part-1

I really like Premier Inns, especially for short stays. They are very reasonably priced (and the earlier you book, the cheaper the price is), consistently comfortable and clean, and with very comfy beds. Breakfast (cooked or continental) is available, although not included in the lodging price. And the Premier Inn Paddington is very close to Paddington Station. https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/hotels/england/greater-london/london/london-paddington-paddington-station.html?

We stayed at the Premier Inn by St Pancras and while not luxurious, it was decent, had coffee shops, pub and store nearby and was pretty solid. For a day or two, it's worth it.

About 10 years ago we had a very unfortunate one night stay at the Hilton London Metropole, so not there.

But, on that one night stay we discovered The Victoria Pub, Paddington. And that was terrific, and I see lots of people on this forum recommend it. Lovely place for a pint and meal.

This was after a delightful stay in Richmond/London, then to Paris, then back for one night in London-Paddington Express next morning. Come to think of it, we did the same thing in Ireland. Dublin, then two weeks around the Republic and Northern Ireland, then back for a one night stay in a different part of Dublin to get back to the airport. Again, a debacle at the one overnight. I'm not good at one night stay choices, apparently!

I did not see your second post until just now. Assuming you are taking the Eurostar to Paris, it might be better to stay near St. Pancras/Kings Cross, so you don’t have to make that switch with your luggage on the morning of departure. You would just walk from your hotel to the station at the check-in time.

It is easy to continue to Kings Cross from Paddington. You can either take the Tube by ascending the steps from the Heathrow Express platform, or walk outside the station and take a cab from the taxi stand there (our choice).

Kings Cross is a bit closer to many of main London tourist sites, and there are a number of good hotels around there.

If you book your Heathrow Express tickets now you get the early bird price of £10 each- cheaper than the Elizabeth Line.

And you also avoid the 4.8% Elizabeth Line/tube fare increase which is due next March.

I stayed at Premier Inn Paddington Station last week. Its biggest drawing factor is its location, right across the street from the station. Many restaurants nearby both inside and outside the train station.

It is a value hotel offering clean rooms with minimalist decor and amenities for a reasonable price.

I have also stayed at Premier Inn near St Pancras and it is a two block walk away and directly across the street from the British Library. Many people taking Eurostar use this hotel.

Thank you to everyone for the great tips!
I would like to also check out the hotels around St. Pancras/Kings Cross. I did see the reco for Premier Inn - St. Pancras - thanks! We will check this out too.

We will also be coming back through London, so can use all of these suggestions for the few days that we will be there on the way home. That may be the best time to stay around Paddington, because we will be using the Paddington Express to and from the airport.

Your help has made such a difference!!!

Candy

If you decide to stay at the Premier Inn St. Pancras--I've stayed a couple of times--then I suggest you forego the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth Line. Instead take the Piccadilly Line direct from Heathrow to Kings Cross/St. Pancras. No changes. Also the cheapest way.

From there it's about a five minute walk to the Premier Inn.