Hilton London Paddington

Long before it became the Hilton London Paddington, this hotel was first known as the Great Western Royal Hotel. The mind credited for its inception was the famed engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel, remembered as one of the key figures of the Industrial Revolution. It was built to be a part of Paddington Station in Central London, funded largely by the directors of the Great Western Railway Company after Brunel persuaded them to invest. Architect Philip Charles Hardwick designed the hotel in the French Second Empire style, while construction firm Holland, Hannen & Cubitts handled construction. Its opening ceremony on June 9, 1854, garnered much fanfare and was attended by Prince Albert, Prince Consort, and King Pedro V of Portugal.

The hotel was privatized in 1983, and underwent extensive refurbishments sometime in the dawn of the 21st century. The hotel reopened under its current name, Hilton London Paddington, in 2001.

When Philip Charles Hardwick designed the Great Western Royal Hotel, he envisioned a great structure embodying the grandeur of the French Second Empire's architectural style combined with that of Victorian England's. It was conceived as a pioneering railway hotel integrated directly with Paddington Station, making it the first British hotel with direct access to a railway terminus, thus setting a new standard linking transportation and hospitality. The building’s original facade and interiors reflected this ambitious design, featuring elaborate stonework and sculptural decorations. Above the main entrance are allegorical sculptures by John Thomas, representing Peace, Plenty, Science, and Industry - the era’s ideals and ambitions.

Major refurbishments took place at the beginning of the 21st century, when the hotel reopened as Hilton London Paddington. Despite the modernizations, the exterior remains intact, while the interiors have been transformed to depict the style and splendor of the 19th century. Grand staircases lead to gorgeous spaces and halls, while guestrooms embrace a variety of aesthetics that represent the hotel's story through the decades. Along the same lines, select rooms have been renovated with accessibility features, ensuring no guests miss out on the hotel's wonderful service and ambiance.

Carriages Restaurant & Lounge

Carriages Restaurant serves as the hotel’s main dining venue, offering breakfast, lunch, and dinner at an easily accessible and beautifully decorated setting. The menu features modern British and international dishes made with seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast includes both buffet and a la carte options and is open to all diners. Lunch and dinner services focus on hearty and delicious recipes with a filling three-course meal come evening. Carriages Lounge a much more casual dining setting, letting you enjoy a light bite and a drink when you're craving a snack or feeling the need to re-energize.

Opening hours:
Monday to Friday:
6:30 am – 10 am
12 pm – 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday:
7 am – 11 am
12 pm – 10 pm

146 Paddington Bar & Lounge

Looking for a spot to chill with friends? 146 Paddington Bar & Lounge offers a vibrant and relaxed atmosphere, characterized by the colorful vintage-modern decor. Choose from the menu lined with specialty gins, local beers, and expertly crafted cocktails. Alongside the drinks is a selection of amazing light bites such as spiced lamb kofta, salt and pepper squid, and black pepper panko salmon.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 4 pm – 12 am (closed on Weekends)

Executive Lounge

Limited to Hilton's Diamond members, the Executive Lounge is an exclusive, tranquil space available only where you can chat, work, or unwind while enjoying the views of Paddington Station. Guests in the Lounge have access to complimentary Wi‑Fi, drinks, and snacks throughout the day. They also hold a Happy Hour from 6 pm to 8 pm, featuring a selection of alcoholic and non‑alcoholic beverages accompanied by canapés.

Opening hours:
Monday: 7 am – 10 am
Tuesday to Friday: 7 am – 10 am; 12 pm – 10 pm
Saturday & Sunday: 7 am – 11 am; 12 pm – 10 pm

Dreaming of celebrating your union while visiting London? At Hilton London Paddington, you'll find amazing event spaces available for a wide variety of functions. These versatile function rooms and halls let you scale up or down, depending on the size of your event. The Great Western Ballroom is perfect if you're looking to celebrate with a big crowd, while the Hotspur room offers an intimate atmosphere for micro weddings. Throughout the planning process, you'll have the assistance of Hilton's dedicated events team, who will coordinate with you on venue configurations, menus, and additional services to hire.

Here are some of the venues available:

Great Western Ballroom - Largest venue of the hotel, but can be split into smaller halls. Capacity: 380 guests

Thunderbolt - Ground floor venue named after an iconic railway engine. Capacity: 50 guests

Hotspur - Smallest meeting room that can be configured for banquets. Capacity: 8 guests

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

While London is a great metropolis, it has preserved many of its old sites and institutions, providing a diverse itinerary of things to do and places to visit. Right next to Hilton London Paddington is Paddington Station, which first opened in 1854, just a few weeks before the hotel. From here, you can explore both the area's history and hop aboard a train to visit other locations. If you'd rather take it in the sights and sounds from the streets, there are also several spots you can walk to. The neighborhood of Little Venice is known for its scenic canals and rows of Regency-style houses. If you're fond of history lessons, drop by the Alexander Fleming Museum, which is dedicated to Sir Alexander Fleming and his breakthroughs in medicine. Although a bit further away, the St Mary Magdalene Church is one of Paddington's most iconic historic buildings, and is listed as a Grade I heritage property.

The Hilton brand takes pride in providing beautiful professional venues at their properties, and Hilton London Paddington is no exception. Here, you can book a great selection of lovely venues for your event, whether it's for a magnificent wedding, a festive reunion, or a bustling company conference. The largest is the Great Western Ballroom, boasting a capacity of 380 guests, though this grand hall can be split into to smaller areas. No need to fret about logistics either, as the hotel will attach a dedicated events team to assist you every step of the way. They'll handle all the planning and be with you until the end of the event. They'll also get in touch with partner services should you need things like entertainment or specific decor for your gathering.