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Hilton London Paddington begins heritage renovation

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Originally opened in 1854 as the Great Western Royal Hotel, the site was part of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s railway vision

In this episode we speak to brothers Alex and Adrien Grosjean, young entrepreneurs who have recently acquired The Residence Inn by Marriott Manchester Piccadilly. We discussed the reasons why Manchester’s visitor market is booming, and their decision to invest in this area, why they see extended-stay accommodation as a major opportunity in what is one of the UK's fastest-growing cities, how they plan to enhance their portfolio of hotels, and their advice for the next generation of hospitality disruptors.

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Hilton London Paddington has announced a multi-million-pound renovation of its guest rooms and interiors to mark 173 years since the historic building opened.

The first phase of the project involves the restoration of the left wing, with new guest rooms scheduled to open in spring 2026.

Designers will preserve the Victorian character and Art Deco features of the Grade II-listed building. The project includes the use of bespoke furnishings and reupholstered heritage pieces.

Originally opened in 1854 as the Great Western Royal Hotel, the site was part of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s railway vision. It has been under the stewardship of the Bhatia family since 1986.

The hotel has already completed the transformation of its event spaces. This includes the Great Western I and Great Western II ballrooms, which are named after locomotives.

These pillar-free rooms feature Venetian chandeliers and are licensed for civil ceremonies. The hotel contains 18 meeting and event spaces with direct access to Paddington Station.

Management confirmed the works aim to balance historic integrity with modern requirements for international travellers.

A spokesperson said: “The transformation is rooted in respect for the past while thoughtfully looking ahead. We are prioritising guest comfort and sustainability.”

Heritage renovation at Hilton London Paddington

The historical record indicates that Hilton London Paddington, originally established as the Great Western Royal Hotel in 1854, has always been a central figure in London’s hospitality landscape. Following a shift towards heritage-preserving renovations, the hotel moved forward with significant refurbishments aimed at enhancing its Victorian and Art Deco features. In early 2026, the first phase of a multi-million-pound project was set to reinvigorate the left wing of the building, echoing a broader trend seen across the industry, such as the extensive first-floor renovation at London Hilton Park Lane.

This renovation approach is reflective of a sustained effort to balance the preservation of historical integrity with modern_requirements in hospitality. As experienced in other recent initiatives, notably the transformations of various UK hotels into boutique sites with character, this project underscores a market focus on creating memorable guest experiences through bespoke furnishings and sustainable practices. Looking ahead, this renovation is anticipated to align with industry standards that prioritise guest comfort while respecting the architectural history of landmark establishments, reminiscent of recent refurbishments such as the Paddington hotel’s transformation.

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