The Pilgrm Hotel, London

The Pilgrm Hotel, Paddington, London

The first time I was made aware of The Pilgrm hotel at Paddington was when Richard Massey + co's Unseen 24/7 newsletter (which covers everything new in the London food, drink + culture scene) popped into my inbox a few months back. Instantly bookmarked for later.

I was chatting to my friends India + Magnus (of Haarkon) a few weeks ago + they informed me that The Pilgrm had actually been renovated by Sheffield locals, hotel design + development specialists 93ft. Just a week later I found myself stepping foot through the distinct facade of bright blue hand-glazed tiles + original vertical brass door handles, opening up straight into the smell of freshly ground coffee. Sold!

The design of the hotel is a clever solution to an all too common project: a lack of space. The Pilgrm manages to combine the feeling of an old American New York-style hotel, mixed with the grandeur of a traditional Victorian-era estate. I have no idea how these guys have manage to renovate a space which holds not only a coffee shop / lobby, shared workspace, restaurant, unashamedly grand staircases, well considered corridors + communal pantries, but also 73 hotel rooms!

There's a clear focus on the materials, colours and furniture design throughout – from the North Atlantic granite surfaces used in the coffee shop, original Victorian oak staircase, mid-century rattan chairs found in the hotel rooms, and bespoke lighting catching you on every turn. Oh, and I nearly forgot to mention, they have an original marble specimen cabinet (now used as a refreshments table) which once call the National History Museum its home.

The rooms themselves are quite snug (I was in a "large"), but it's what you'd expect from a period property of this size. Great for two neat people, or one messy one like me. Nothing over-designed, or added for the sake of it. Consideration to tactile materials is clearly a passion of the design team; narrowed reed glass on the bathroom door, dark wooden floorboards mixed with heavy navy carpets + mini valet-style wardrobe were all things that floated my boat. The only downside of the rooms is the original single glazed Victorian windows - bring some earplugs if you're a light sleeper!

 The Pilgrm, 25 London St, Paddington, London W2 1HH.

I was kindly offered a room for the night by The Pilgrm, but I wasn't asked to review or feature the hotel. I've done this post because I thought it was a genuinely interesting + unique experience.

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