London’s Little Venice is one of those urban areas that has formed legendary status in my mind. I think of it as a mini version of my favourite Italian city. But, in reality, it’s actually one of the city’s corners that I know least – despite me being what I’d like to think of as a knowledgeable Londoner. (But that’s the thing with many ‘born and bred’ Londoners – there are swathes of the city you end up hardly knowing, preferring instead the well-worn footprint of where you were born, where you have lived or worked.)
Firstly, part of the enigmatic appeal of Little Venice (in my mind, at least) is that its location is pleasantly vague. Is it Maida Vale? Is it North Paddington? What about Warwick Avenue? In fact, London’s watery and leafy neighbourhood edges all these areas, and is made up of a network of pretty canal routes which reach along to Camden Lock.
Another tick in the box is its buzzy vibe – the area boasts three Grade II-listed pubs (The Warwick Castle, The Warrington and The Prince Alfred) and numerous boutiques, restaurants and theatres – it’s rather like an under-the-radar, less-fêted Marylebone (and, for a Londoner, any area that is ‘off the radar’ is a good thing).
Streets are lined with genteel, Regency terraced town-houses, and found in one of these is the area’s best little gem.
Europa House is made up of 14 stylish apartments, available for short-term or long-term rental, offering a wonderful haven – perfect for a weekend city fix – for out-of-towners, tourists and Londoners, alike.
Stylish apartment living, of course, is currently the latest in-vogue trend for travellers wanting an alternative to the more formal hotel experience and Europa House’s apartments offer cosy comforts married with space, privacy and flexibility. Bringing the best of both worlds – its ethos is to marry a sleek home-from-home feel with some of the perks of a boutique hotel – guests will find a bespoke 24-hour concierge service, and well-thought-out details, such as complimentary Handyphones, and wellness services – think: in-room massages by Urban Massage and Perfect 10, yoga mats and access to TruBe’s personal training app.
Best of all, the apartments offer the ultimate, peaceful escape after a day or so exploring the city: apartments are drenched with light with large windows and a cream-on-cream central palette (this is nicely brightened with pops of colour with acid-lime-green throws on the beds, olive-green velvet pillows and botanical-style prints). There’s a simple, pared-back feel to the interiors with lots of elegant touches – such as a 1950s-style, wrought-iron dressing table, oyster silk-taffeta drapes and a mosaic-tiled coffee table. Essentially, it’s a chic blank canvas with little flashes of personality – so you’ll not find any chintz, but plenty of good taste, all in just the right balance for a homey environment.
The two bedroom apartment has a large double bedroom, with an ensuite bathroom, plus there’s a second room with twin beds – both spacious and well-considered. Linen headboards, crisp bedlinen and French-style metal chandeliers add a touch of glam. There’s also a large bathroom, just off the hallway, with dove-grey ceramic tiles and marble features, plus full-size REN products – meaning that even if you are staying here as a group of four, there’s plenty of room for uninterrupted pampering. A large hallway runs into a pretty living room with dining area. Flat-screen TVS, DVD players and speakers add a luxe feel, while elegant wooden flooring and unique design pieces from Mark Brazier-Jones add the finishing flourishes.
One of the appeals of luxury home stays is that you can do away with the fuss that often comes with formal hotel restaurants – overly finnicky breakfasts are one of my bug-bears – and you have the privacy to eat as and when you like. Here, the kitchen comes well-equipped with all the appliances you need, plus sleek cabinetry, a Nespresso coffee maker and quality cutlery and crockery. For budding chefs, there’s a range of recipe books such as Deliciously Ella and Hemsley + Hemsley to browse for inspiration. Equally, if you want to ‘down tools’ for a leisurely weekend away, you can call on the concierge and tap into the restaurant delivery service which supports local eateries. They can also organise a lovely patisserie breakfast to be delivered.
Another highlight of the property is its three acres of award-winning private gardens – hidden out of sight in a central square behind the smart frontage. It’s also home to a children’s playground, adding to the apartments’ comprehensive approach to family stays (essential baby equipment, such as cots and high chairs, are available and there is a dedicated ‘kids only’ cupboard, full of toys, books and DVDs for children to dip into).
The West End may be just a few minutes’ drive away, but it goes without saying that the immediate Little Venice neighbourhood has its own unique charm. From a cappuccino in the Quince Tree Café at Clifton Nurseries, just the thing before a stoll along the canals, to a film at the EveryMan Cinema – this is a worthwhile quarter of the city to explore and I find that my lofty expectations are all met.
Europa House is part of the innovative Living Rooms group – which is a collection of residences at three central London addresses (as well as a stand-alone hotel), each combining the services of a hotel with the privacy and space of home. All three also have an ethos of immersing guests in in local neighbourhoods. No 5 Maddox Street in Mayfair, for example, sees visitors being able to access the smart destination on its doorstep, while 56 Welbeck Street allows guests to soak up the quaint ambiance of Marylebone. The properties also have handpicked furnishings, from both mid-century modern and contemporary classic styles, as well as collaborative, bespoke works by cutting-edge names in British art and design. The downside? You won’t want to return home.
One Bedroom Apartments start from £185 per night; Two Bedroom Apartment start from £250 per night.
