The Hayden Pub & Rooms — Restaurant in London

My husband and I made our first visit to London and wanted to stay some where that we could experience the culture and vibe of the community. After searching several areas we decided on Notting Hill and I found The Hayden. Everything on their website looked quaint and inviting and we were both happy to find that everything shown on the website was exactly how it was when we arrived. I emailed to ask for an early check-in and they responded right away that they would do their best to accommodate - and they did. We arrived even earlier than expected and even though our room wasn't quite ready they stored our luggage, checked us in and invited us to sit outside with a beer while we waited. When our room was ready, our hostess (didn't get her name unfortunately, but she was awesome our entire stay) walked us up to our room and even helped carry our luggage. She showed us everything in our room and made sure we were happy with it. OUR ROOM WAS SIMPLY AMAZING - we loved everything about it. It was warm and inviting, and decorated so lovely. I adored the pictures on the walls, the bed was huge and so comfortable with four, nice firm pillows. The sitting area had a couch and a dressing table where I could do my makeup and hair. The bathroom was very large and had all new fixtures, shower was hot with good, strong water pressure. The AC worked great when we needed it which wasn't often but very nice when returning after a couple of warmer days spent walking through the city. Bonus - Nespresso coffee machine too! Plus - snacks, instant coffee, tea, and convenient little fridge stocked with water. We unfortunately didn't get an opportunity to dine in the pub but it was packed every night, and everything we saw on people's plates looked delicious. There was a little bit of muffled noise at night - to be expected when staying above a pub, but nothing that kept us awake. There are quite a few steps to climb when using the guest entry/exit - when the pub is closed, so I wouldn't recommend staying here if you have mobility issues as there isn't an elevator. It's close to Kensington Palace and Hyde Park, and it was a quick 10 minute walk to Bayswater and/or Queensway tube stations with plenty of restaurants, gift shops, and pubs along the way. We had coffee and pastries several times at Gail's Bakery and a wonderful Italian dinner at Mamma Mia Ristorante Italiano. I just can't say enough good things about our stay at The Hayden - it was perfect and helped to make our trip truly...

Perfect location if you want to be close to Paddington, but would prefer to be based elsewhere. One stop on the underground from Paddington to Bayswater, and situated less than a five minute walk away.

We arrived at 1.30pm and were fortunate enough to be able to check-in early before the usual 3pm. The bar and restaurant areas were both extremely busy, so I would suggest pre-booking if you wanted to eat here. Alternatively, there are numerous eateries/bars in the area catering to all tastes.

Our room was on the top floor, reached by a quite narrow staircase. Fortunately we were only 'travelling light' using rucksacks for an overnight stay - however, this could be an issue if you had heavy luggage. We were booked into a double room (queen size bed), with a bath/shower. The bed itself was exceptionally comfortable, with very warm covers. Complementary bathrobes and slippers are provided, alongside a coffee maker and bottled water, biscuits, bottled water in the fridge, and one small chocolate bar (between two people). There is also a safe and hairdryer.

The sink and bath were both quite deep. The bath had both handheld and overhead shower facilities. My only quibble would be that there was no handrail either at the side or the back of the bath, and it was therefore quite difficult to get out after having a bath.

You can access your room either by walking through the pub or by exiting by a side door at the bottom of the staircase - this leads to a few steps climb on to the road.

Overall, we both thoroughly enjoyed our stay - however, for anyone with mobility issues The Hayden may prove to be a bit of...

As a solo female traveler visiting London in February, I was looking for somewhere with an excellent location and enough foot traffic to feel secure. This place delivered on every front.

I stayed in a deluxe double room for three nights and it exceeded expectations. The room was comfortable, spotlessly clean, and surprisingly quiet despite being above the lively restaurant and pub. The housekeeping was impeccable, and I loved the charming decor with dogs in adorable uniforms throughout.

The convenience was unbeatable. When exhausted from exploring, having quality food and drinks downstairs was a lifesaver. Everything was delicious, and the atmosphere was welcoming without being overwhelming. The location couldn't be better, surrounded by shops with an easy walk to the train stations. I felt completely safe walking back from evening trains.

I appreciated the separate entrance to rooms, giving flexibility to bypass the social areas when heading straight upstairs/downstairs. It's the perfect blend of hotel convenience with bed and breakfast charm.

Being a short stroll from Portobello Market was the cherry on top. The staff were genuinely friendly and seemed to enjoy their work. The managers I chatted with were particularly welcoming and professional.

This struck the perfect balance for solo travel: safe, convenient, charming, and social when you want it to be. If I plan another solo London adventure, this will absolutely be my first choice.

Highly recommended for solo travelers or anyone wanting a perfectly located...