Background
Dublin-based aparthotel operator Staycity launched its design-led Wilde brand in 2017, with the first property opening in London’s Covent Garden in 2019 (for our review click here).
There are currently Wilde aparthotels in Berlin, Edinburgh, London and Manchester, with forthcoming destinations including Cambridge, Lisbon, Porto and Amsterdam.
Staycity describes the brand as being “inspired by the wit and irreverence of Irish playwright and poet Oscar Wilde”. For our recent review of Wilde St Peters Square, Manchester, see:
Where is it?
Just off the A40, around ten minutes’ walk from London Paddington station, with its links to the Heathrow Express, national rail, and the Elizabeth, Bakerloo, Circle and District, and Hammersmith and City Underground lines.
The two sections of Edgware Road Underground station are slightly closer, with links to the Bakerloo, Circle and District, and Hammersmith and City lines.
The property is also a couple of minutes’ walk from Paddington Basin, with several restaurants, bars and shops in the immediate vicinity including Pizza Express, Brewdog and Tesco Express, as well as Openaire – described as the UK’s first “float-in cinema”.
Note there is no onsite parking for guests.
What’s it like?
Wilde Paddington opened in December 2021 and is housed within a new-build development which also comprises the Premier Inn Paddington Basin. For now the aparthotel looks across to the gargantuan Hilton London Metropole (one of London’s biggest hotels at nearly 1,100 rooms), although a building site in between the properties will eventually house 2 Merchant Square, a 16-storey office building.
Entering through the main entrance on North Wharf Road (accessible by key card only after 11pm), guests arrive straight into an open plan lobby / reception / breakfast / lounge area.
When I arrived at around 5pm on a Friday afternoon there were a few guests dotted around the ground floor, and a member of staff ready to help with queries. He asked if I had checked in using the email which had been sent a few days before arrival (I hadn’t), but was happy to go through the process manually.
The overall feel of the ground floor space is stylish, with designer-looking furniture providing pops of colour against the jet black ceiling and dark wood floor and walls.
Rooms
There are 249 rooms, split across studio (21 sqm), studio superior (25-26 sqm), one-bedroom apartments (32-34 sqm) and one-bedroom superior apartments (38-41 sqm), with accessible options also available.
Decor is bright, light and airy, with Irish tweed elements in the sofa and bed runners, and quirky features including cushions on the bed which, in my case, depicted people playing football.
All rooms come with kitchenettes, which include a Smeg kettle and toaster, Nespresso machine, combination microwave / oven, hobs, dishwasher, fridge, and plenty of crockery, cutlery, glasses, pots and pans, as well as a tea towel and oven glove.
Complimentary items include water and small bottles of milk in the fridge on arrival, as well as washing up liquid, dishwasher powder, tea bags, sugar, pepper and some Broderick’s mini bites. Other amenities include an iron and ironing board, safe, hairdryer, and a bathrobe and slippers.
Bathrooms have walk-in showers with rain and monsoon shower heads, and toiletries by Irish firm The Handmade Soap Company.
For stays of six nights or fewer there is no scheduled cleaning of rooms (guests can request this “for a small cost”), while for stays of seven nights of more a full cleaning service including a change of bed linen and towels is included on the fourth day and then every seven days after that. A 24-hour guest laundry is also available, with a contactless payment system.
My one-bedroom superior apartment was on the 14th floor, with views across to the Hilton London Metropole and Paddington Basin from the lounge area, while from the bedroom I could just about make out Battersea Power Station in the distance.
The open plan lounge / kitchen area had a dining table and four chairs, as well as a sofa which could convert into a double bed.
Wifi is free throughout the property (no password required), and there were TVs in both the lounge area and bedroom, which featured a wardrobe and bed with Hypnos mattress.
All the windows in the apartment had blinds controlled by touch points on the walls – indeed pretty much everything in the apartment from the air conditioning to the lighting and do not disturb sign was controlled by these touch points, and I have to admit to getting a bit confused at times as to which lights I was attempting to turn on or off.
Overall I found the apartment to be well equipped, stylish and comfortable – I would have been happy to spend an extended period there, although admittedly I was in one of the property’s larger apartments.
Food and drink
Breakfast is served between 7am and 11am on the ground floor, and is charged at £15 for adults and £6 for children. This includes a buffet spread of pastries, cereals, toast, fresh fruit and yoghurts, as well as one item from the à la carte list. I opted for the eggs benedict which arrived promptly and with runny egg and crispy bacon.
Coffee is by Paddy and Scott’s, and aside from the usual orange and apple juice there were two smoothies on tap – both of which I thought were delicious and for which I went back on several occasions.
Next to the breakfast area is a 24-hour self-service pantry where guests can purchase snacks, drinks and groceries, and there is click and collect pizza and frozen meals menu where guests order online and are then contacted when their order is ready to collect from reception.
Meetings
There are no dedicated meeting spaces at the property.
Leisure
There is a 24-hour fitness centre in the basement of the property.
Verdict
Excellent room facilities, a great breakfast and a good location for those wanting to access the Heathrow Express.
FACT BOX
- Best for Those looking for stylish long-stay accommodation, with great transport links.
- Don’t miss The delicious smoothies at breakfast
- Price Internet rates for a flexible midweek stay in May started from £385 for a one bedroom superior apartment (£250 for an entry-level Studio)
- Contact 4 North Wharf Road, London, W2 1NW; 020 374 475 25; staycity.com
