The best hotels near Little Venice

An imposing white mansion, the Colonnade is the only hotel of any stature in Little Venice. A terrace out front is a great spot for a drink on a summer’s evening. Inside, the 43 bedrooms have been decorated in traditional style – rich fabrics, four-posters and swagged curtains – while pleasing extras include bathrobes, slippers, shoeshine and free wifi. There’s also a small car park. The building was once a hospital, where Alan Turing was born in 1912 – check out the blue plaque in his honour.

Operated by the same team who run the Laslett hotel in nearby Notting Hill, Europa House is formed of 14 deluxe apartments available for stays of one night or longer (much longer… a year can be arranged), with access to a three-acre garden. Decor in the converted Regency townhouse is super-tasteful, all muted tones and classy fittings and fixtures, from the iPod docks to the dishwashers. A 24-hour telephone concierge can help with anything from arranging a grocery delivery to booking a taxi.

Less than a five minute walk from Little Venice, the Novotel Paddington is a mid-priced chain hotel with all the facilities and comforts a big hotel can provide. Rooms are spick and span, with flat screen TVs, fridges and complimentary wifi. Executive rooms also offer bathrobes, slippers and iPod docks. It’s a good place to stay with kids; family rooms can sleep up to two children under the age of 16 as well as two adults, and this Novotel has a pool.

The Warrington Hotel is Grade-II listed, with many lovely original features such as stained glass windows, Art Nouveau friezes and mosaic floors. Have a drink in the bar to fully appreciate the splendour – though the restaurant is pretty, too, and the seats outdoors are tempting on a warm day. The five boutique-hotel style bedrooms are a relatively new addition; individually decorated, they come with flat screen TVs and statement pieces such as a free-standing copper bath or a modern four-poster bed.