Inhabit Hotel Review: Peace In Paddington

London's hotels tend to be big and brash and bold or corporate and faceless.

But there's room for a quieter, conscious experience, even in Zone 1.

I checked in to Inhabit Hotels on Southwick Street in Paddington this summer to try this townhouse hotel that operates at a slower, calmer pace than most of the city.

Inhabit Hotel Review

A series of Georgian terraces has been knocked together to create a bit of a rabbit warren of 88 rooms behind the gorgeous, plant-strewn facade on a quiet London back street, 10 minutes walk from Paddington station.

This is Inhabit's first hotel in London and there are plans for a second in 2022.

The rooms

Cosy up and chill at Inhabit Hotel.

Wellness here means sleeping deeply, not being disturbed and finding inventive, calming ways to ensure that your stay here is as peaceful as possible.

There are aromatherapy sprays in the room, designed to help you sleep.

There's a wooden lockbox you can throw your phone into for a digital detox.

While each room is cosy in size, it doesn't feel cramped and the luxurious bedding, mattresses and toiletries elevate this as more than just a place to sleep.

Local artwork, thoughtfully curated magazines and books all display the kind of life you wished you had, while each room has maximised the space available with clever open wardrobes and wooden shelves.

It's a bit like sleeping in Muji.

The vibe

The whole thrust of Inhabit hotels is 'urban wellness'. Finding some peace and quiet in the hustle and bustle of London.

Plants, macrame, neutral tones and a splash of retro design make it an Instagrammer's paradise. I love the egg chair 'meditation station' where you can load up meditations via an iPad, and nestle in with a big pair of headphones and I dare myself to sit there, brazen in my quiet zone as other guests breeze through on their way out.

Inhabit packs a lot in a small space, like many of its fellow city dwellers. There's also a (tiny) pretty, two storey atrium for yoga and pilates and Infrared sauna for physical wellness and a noise-free library where you can curl up with a good book and a cup of herbal tea.

The food

For the moment, the ground floor cafe is run by health food pioneers, Yeotown, and available for breakfast and lunch.

Light streams in the large Georgian windows as we gather around a Skandi -style communal table, piled with books and plants, and order a veggie or vegan breakfast. Eggs, avocado toast and granola feature highly and come beautifully prepared on stoneware plates.

The room feels like half cafe and half study, as slung back Ercol armchairs and pretty tapestries add a vaguely academic air.

Ethically roasted coffee is delivered to us in glass cups, cold pressed juices add a touch of colour to the table and even after we've eaten, lingering is encouraged.

There's also a self service pantry stocked with local, sustainable suppliers and snacks that do good and taste good.

The sustainable bit

Inhabit is all about creating a luxury hotel that has a lighter footprint on the planet.

From working with social enterprises, B Corps and charities to stock their rooms and partner with on community projects to hosting mindfulness and wellness programmes for guests, Inhabit have a holistic approach to creating a sustainable hotel in London.

Communal water taps can be found on each floor with glass bottles to fill and take to your room, bikes are available to borrow and walking and running routes can be suggested by the reception team.

3 reasons why you need to book Inhabit hotels

1. Inhabit Hotel is dog-friendly. It's not often a hotel as centrally located in London happily accepts your dogs, but Inhabit really make them feel at home, and make you feel relaxed. Doggos also get their own Casper memory foam dog beds.

2. There are daily yoga classes, morning meditation sessions and guided locally walks.

3. Inhabit really believe in community, and proudly showcase the sustainable makers and artists, candle makers and skincare brands they work with in each room and across the hotel. Check them out here.

Book a stay at Inhabit Hotels.