"Best for: Feeling like one of the locals What's the story? Four Victorian townhouses make up the bones of the Pilgrm, Paddington’s first properly cool hotel. Not that it looks like one at all from the outside, with a neighborhood coffee joint replacing a traditional reception. This corner of town isn’t traditionally the most hip or interesting, but new openings over the past few years have marked it as one to watch when the stars of Peckham and Dalston finally fade, including lovely roof terrace Pergola Paddington and canal brunch spot Darcie and May Green, set on a barge. The bedrooms Interiors have been kept fairly minimal, with lots of vintage touches that bring out the building’s original features. Reclaimed, 200-year-old parquet flooring and cast-iron radiators rescued from old schools and hospitals are authentic touches; even the sweeping staircase was restored, its layers of paint stripped away. Up-to-the-minute accents have been added: brass lights and white-tiled bathrooms make it both bang on trend and timeless. On the menu First-floor café-bar the Lounge is a tucked-away spot for a casual supper—locals and young creatives settle into the low banquet seating for a menu overseen by Sara Lewis, formerly of Grain Store and Nobu. Try creamy lentil daal with punchy mackerel, soy-glazed pork belly, or the unusual chocolate-and-red-wine salami. Cocktails come on loan from superior bars all over the world: a Negroni from London's Bar Termini and the Reverse Martinez made with rose vermouth, gin, and maraschino liqueur from The Clumsies in Athens. What we love The stacks of plants from East London’s loveliest green-fingered hotspot Conservatory Archives. What we don’t like Some rooms have views of Paddington’s not-so-cool side—we overlooked an Angus Steakhouse on our stay. —Sarah James Address: The Pilgrm, 25 London Street, London W2 1HHDoubles from: $157" - Sarah James
