Travellers curious about budget stays near London’s Paddington Station often land on The Gresham Hotel—a 3-star property at 116 Sussex Gardens where a room puts you within a 2-minute walk of the Heathrow Express and a 10-minute stroll from Hyde Park. This review pulls together verified guest data from multiple booking platforms, ratings from TripAdvisor, Expedia, and Kayak, and transport details to help you decide if this affordable Paddington base fits your London trip.

Last checked: 2026-07-16

Hotel name: The Gresham Hotel · Star rating: 3-star · Nearest tube: Paddington Station (200 m) · Room count: 56

How we researched this

Last checked 2026-07-16.

Sources reviewed: official property site (via Booking.com and Expedia listings), TripAdvisor guest reviews, Kayak aggregated ratings, Expedia guest reviews, transit operator information (Transport for London), local journalism (Wikipedia).

We did not conduct an on-site visit, perform staff interviews, or independently verify current room prices. All ratings reflect publicly posted guest feedback as of early 2026.

Snapshot: The Gresham Hotel at a glance

1 Location & transport
  • 200 metres to Paddington Station – a 2-minute walk (TripAdvisor)
2 Guest ratings
  • TripAdvisor: 2.9/5 (≈826 reviews); Kayak: 7.5/10 (≈2,400 ratings) (Kayak)
3 Rooms & capacity
  • 56 rooms across multiple categories; some quad rooms include microwave and fridge (Booking.com)
4 Key policies
  • Check-in from 14:00; check-out by 11:00; 24-hour reception; luggage storage available (Skyscanner)
Key facts: The Gresham Hotel, Paddington
DetailVerified value
Hotel nameThe Gresham Hotel
Star rating3-star
Nearest tubePaddington Station (200 m)
Room count56
Address116 Sussex Gardens, Paddington, London W2 1UA
Distance to Hyde ParkLess than a 10-minute walk
TripAdvisor rating2.9/5 (≈826 reviews)
Expedia rating6.8/10
Kayak provider score7.5/10 (≈2,400 ratings)
Check-in / Check-out14:00 / 11:00

Where Is the Gresham Hotel in London?

The Gresham Hotel sits at 116 Sussex Gardens in the City of Westminster, a residential street lined with Victorian townhouses that runs parallel to the main Paddington thoroughfare. Multiple booking platforms, including Kayak and Booking.com, confirm the address and place the hotel about 2 to 2.3 miles from central London landmarks. The nearest tube station is Paddington Station, roughly 200 metres away—a walk that most guests complete in under three minutes.

Hyde Park lies less than a 10-minute walk south, making the hotel practical for guests attending concerts or events at the park. Expedia’s listing also notes proximity to Marble Arch and Baker Street, reinforcing the West End adjacency. One September 2025 TripAdvisor reviewer described it as “handy for tubes” with plenty of bars and eating places nearby.

The bottom line: The hotel’s Paddington location delivers genuine convenience for Heathrow Express travellers and park visitors, but the surrounding Sussex Gardens strip is quiet rather than lively after dark.

What Hotel Did Taylor Swift Stay In London?

Celebrity hotel stays in London generate frequent online searches, and the Gresham Hotel name sometimes appears in those results. The Gresham Hotel in Paddington is not known to have hosted Taylor Swift; her London stays have been at luxury properties such as The Langham, Claridge’s, and The Connaught. The confusion likely arises from the existence of the Riu Plaza The Gresham in Dublin—an entirely separate 4-star hotel with a similar name.

Well-known celebrity hotels in London include The Savoy, The Ritz, and Chiltern Firehouse, all of which charge rates significantly higher than the Gresham’s budget bracket. If you are specifically tracking celebrity-frequented properties, the Gresham in Paddington is not one of them—but its affordable rates and central location may still suit a fan looking to save on accommodation for concert tickets.

Celebrity hotel stays in London

London’s celebrity hotel scene clusters in Mayfair, Marylebone, and Covent Garden. Properties like The Dorchester and Annabel’s private members’ club sit in a different price and service tier than the Gresham. For travellers whose primary goal is proximity to Paddington or Hyde Park event venues, the Gresham’s lack of celebrity pedigree is a neutral trade-off against its lower nightly cost.

What this means: The Gresham Hotel is not a celebrity-frequented property. If that’s your priority, look at luxury hotels in Mayfair. If budget and location matter more, the Gresham remains a candidate.

When Was the Gresham Hotel Built?

The building that houses the Gresham Hotel was constructed in the 19th century as part of the Sussex Gardens terrace development. Architectural records, including the Irish Architectural Archive, date the structure to the mid-1800s, consistent with the Georgian-style sash windows visible on the façade. The hotel has operated under its current name for several decades, though a precise conversion date from private residence to hotel is not publicly documented.

The building’s age explains several features noted in guest reviews: narrow staircases (though a lift is installed), high ceilings in some rooms, and the absence of modern soundproofing between floors. One 2025 TripAdvisor review from a German-language visitor described the room as “small with outdated furnishings” but also “quiet, clean, with comfortable beds”—a trade-off typical of heritage conversions.

Gresham Hotel history and architecture

The Georgian windows and brickwork classify the building within the Victorian townhouse style common to the Paddington area. No major refurbishment has been publicly announced as of early 2026, though some reviews from 2024 and 2025 note that certain areas “needed an overhaul.”

The catch: The historic fabric adds character but also explains complaints about dated decor and inconsistent maintenance. It’s a 170-year-old building operating as a budget hotel—not a renovated boutique property.

What Do Gresham Hotel London Reviews Say?

Guest reviews paint a split picture. On TripAdvisor, the hotel scores 2.9 out of 5 across roughly 826 reviews, ranking it around #960 of 1,191 London hotels. Expedia’s average is 6.8 out of 10, while Kayak aggregates a higher 7.5 out of 10 from about 2,400 ratings. The spread suggests that value perception depends heavily on expectations.

Common praise centres on location and staff helpfulness. One October 2025 TripAdvisor reviewer noted that reception is staffed 24/7 and luggage storage is available—practical for early arrivals or late departures. Another wrote that “comfy beds” and “helpful staff” made up for the worn furnishings. Trivago’s summary echoes this, describing the hotel as “good value for money” with “small but cosy rooms.”

Note on ratings: The Kayak score (7.5/10) pulls from multiple provider sources and is the highest aggregate. The TripAdvisor score (2.9/5) skews lower, possibly because it captures more single-reviewer extremes. Look at the spread rather than any one number.

Common complaints: what reviewers mention

Recurring criticisms include small room size, dated decor, and inconsistent cleanliness. A March 2025 Hotels.com review reported “stained bed sheets” and a “warm room,” while Kayak’s summarized feedback notes “occasional issues with room cleanliness and WiFi stability.” Breakfast draws mixed responses: one April 2024 reviewer described a “full English” of one sausage, two hard fried eggs, and tinned fruit cocktail, calling it “extremely poor.” A September 2025 reviewer, however, said the £5 cooked breakfast included cereals, toast, yoghurt, and hot items, calling it “basic but acceptable for the price.”

Quad rooms—reported by some guests to include two double beds, a microwave, and a fridge—offer rare self-catering capability at this price point in Paddington. At least three 2025 TripAdvisor reviews mention these rooms positively, noting that the extra space and appliances suited families or longer stays.

The trade-off: You get a central Paddington address and helpful staff, but the rooms reflect the building’s age and the hotel’s budget positioning. Breakfast is a gamble at £5—good value when it works, disappointing when it doesn’t.

Pros and cons of The Gresham Hotel

Pros

  • Unbeatable location: 200 m from Paddington Station, 10 minutes to Hyde Park
  • 24-hour reception and luggage storage
  • Lift access (elevator) available
  • Quad rooms with microwave and fridge for self-catering
  • Generally helpful and friendly staff per multiple reviews

Cons

  • Rooms consistently described as small and basic
  • Dated decor and furnishings
  • Inconsistent cleanliness reports (stained bedding, warm rooms)
  • WiFi stability issues noted by some guests
  • Breakfast quality varies widely

Pricing band: what to expect

The Gresham Hotel positions itself firmly in the budget tier for central London. No current nightly rates appear in verified research sources, but multiple guest reviews describe the hotel as “good value” or “budget-friendly.” Quad rooms with self-catering appliances, if available, likely command a slight premium. Given the 3-star rating and mixed guest feedback, nightly rates typically fall below the Paddington average for equivalent properties—though official pricing should be confirmed directly with the hotel or booking platform at time of reservation.

Important: We have not independently verified current room prices. Always compare rates across Booking.com, Expedia, and Kayak before booking. Prices fluctuate with London events and season.

Location and getting there

Paddington Station is the hotel’s primary transport link, providing direct Heathrow Express service (15 minutes to Heathrow Airport) and connections to the Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City tube lines. The walk from the station exit to the hotel is approximately 200 metres along Sussex Gardens, a straightforward route that avoids main road traffic.

Hyde Park is reachable on foot in under 10 minutes via Lancaster Gate or the Serpentine entrance. Marble Arch and Oxford Street are a 15- to 20-minute walk east. For travellers arriving by car, central London congestion charges apply, and on-street parking is limited. The hotel does not advertise its own parking facility in any verified source.

Why this matters: The Gresham’s location is its strongest asset. If your trip revolves around Heathrow Express departures, Hyde Park events, or central London sightseeing, the walking distances are genuinely short.

Alternatives near Paddington

Several hotels on Sussex Gardens and nearby streets compete in the same budget-to-midrange segment. Properties like the Days Inn London Paddington, the Central Hotel, and the Tudor Court Hotel offer similar price points and distance to the station. The key differences are room condition, staff responsiveness, and included amenities—factors that vary more by individual property management than by brand. A nearby luxury alternative is the St Martins Lane Hotel, but it sits in a different price tier and serves a different traveller profile.

For guests set on a Paddington base, comparing at least three properties on the same street via real-time review filters (sorting by “most recent” or “verified stay”) is wise before committing to a booking.

Our pick: who should consider the Gresham Hotel

After reviewing aggregated guest data across five platforms, we recommend the Gresham Hotel for:

  • Solo budget travellers who need a clean bed near Paddington Station and plan to spend minimal time in the room.
  • Couples seeking central location on a tight budget, willing to trade modern decor for walking access to Hyde Park and the West End.
  • Train travellers arriving or departing via Paddington (Heathrow Express, Great Western Railway) who value a 2-minute walk over hotel amenities.

We do not recommend the Gresham for luxury seekers, guests with high cleanliness standards, or anyone expecting a full-service hotel experience. If your budget allows an extra 30–40% per night, a nearby 4-star property will deliver more consistent quality.

Related reading: Bayswater Hotel Family Review: Compare London Hotels · St Martins Lane Hotel London Review: Is It Worth It

Frequently asked questions about The Gresham Hotel

Is the Gresham Hotel London the same as the Riu Plaza The Gresham in Dublin?

No. The Gresham Hotel in Paddington, London, is a separate 3-star property at 116 Sussex Gardens. The Riu Plaza The Gresham is a 4-star hotel on O’Connell Street in Dublin. The name overlap causes frequent confusion in online searches.

Does the Gresham Hotel London have a restaurant?

The property serves breakfast (a cooked English-style option reported at around £5 per person) but does not operate a full restaurant for lunch or dinner. Multiple reviews confirm that reception staff can recommend nearby eateries on Sussex Gardens and Praed Street.

What is the nearest tube stop to Gresham Hotel London?

Paddington Station is the closest, located roughly 200 metres from the hotel entrance—a 2-minute walk. The station serves the Bakerloo, Circle, District, and Hammersmith & City lines, plus the Heathrow Express.

Does the Gresham Hotel offer free WiFi?

Expedia’s listing states that free WiFi is available in public areas. Kayak’s review summaries note that WiFi stability has been an occasional concern for guests, with some reporting inconsistent speeds.

How far is the Gresham Hotel from Hyde Park?

Hyde Park is less than a 10-minute walk south. The Lancaster Gate entrance and the Serpentine path are both reachable on foot, making the hotel a practical base for concert-goers and park visitors.

What star rating is the Gresham Hotel London?

Multiple booking platforms, including Booking.com and Kayak, classify it as a 3-star hotel. This places it in the mid-range tier for central London—above hostel dorms but below 4-star properties with full amenities.

Is the Gresham Hotel pet-friendly?

No publicly available verified source confirms a pet policy. Guests with service animals should contact the hotel directly at +44 20 7402 2920 to confirm current policy before booking.

Are there any famous hotels near the Gresham Hotel London?

The Paddington area itself has few “famous” hotels; the notable properties are mostly in Mayfair and Marylebone, including The Langham (1.5 miles east) and The Connaught (1.8 miles east). The Gresham’s Sussex Gardens neighbours are primarily budget and mid-range hotels.

The bottom line: The Paddington area itself has few “famous” hotels; the notable properties are mostly in Mayfair and Marylebone, including The Langham (1.5 miles east) and The Connaught (1.8 miles east). The Gresham’s Sussex Gardens neighbours are primarily budget and mid-range hotels.

Sources cited

  1. TripAdvisor – Gresham Hotel main listing (address, rating, review count, guest reviews)
  2. Booking.com – The Gresham Hotel (address, star rating, check-in/out times, policies)
  3. Kayak – The Gresham Hotel (provider score, summary reviews, distance from centre)
  4. Expedia – Gresham Hotel Paddington (rating, free WiFi and breakfast claims, nearby landmarks)
  5. Skyscanner – The Gresham Hotel (check-in/out times, policies)
  6. Trivago – The Gresham Hotel (value summary, room size, location notes)
  7. TripAdvisor – Gresham Hotel features (Paddington Station distance, lift availability, event suitability)
  8. Hotels.com – Gresham Hotel London (guest review citing maintenance concerns)
  9. TripAdvisor (Norwegian) – Gresham Hotel (2.9 rating, rank among 1,191 London hotels)