The Boathouse

A Paddington Barge Becomes a Stylish Floating Holiday House

Combining the luxury of a boutique hotel with the charm of a floating accomodation, the Boathouse London offers a tranquil retreat in the heart of the bustling metropolis. Located on one of London's serene waterways, the comfortable hotel boat makes for a great romantic getaway or peaceful escape in picturesque surroundings.

Designed in partnership with interiors brand MADE.COM, the 60-foot former industrial barge has been restored with a contemporary Scandinavian twist, in a calm palette of bleached wood paneling, white tiles, and original nautical features, creating chic modern living spaces. 

The London based company behind stylish home essentials partnered with Boathouse founder Cara Louise Furby, who explains “we’re hugely excited to be working with Made.com and we couldn't ask for a better fit - our aim is to create a range of beautifully designed, stylish, modern spaces on the water, each with their own individual twist - and breaking away from the traditional idea of a canal boat."

Available as a unique urban holiday escape, you can also custom tailor your stay with a range of bespoke experiences, from hiring a captain for the day to cruise the waterways, to having a private chef whip up your meals, or host product launches, supper clubs, yoga brunches, and more.

Created by garden designer Tony Woods, Floating Pocket Park features walkways around the canals with grassy park areas to linger in on a summer day, or from where you can head out to explore London – by land or water – with the bicycles or row boat provided for guests. 

Designed as a bespoke one-bedroom hotel, this vacation home rental in London's Floating Pocket Park, is a flexible design space that can accommodate up to four guests by converting the fireside lounge space into a second bedroom in the evening.

The boat's wooden paneled hallway leads to the bright and open all-in-one living spaces, with comfy sitting areas around a wood burning fireplace. There's a surprisingly roomy fully equipped kitchen at one end of the room, with windows and portholes running the length of the boat on either side that allow for plenty of natural light. 

The cabin-style en-suite bedroom is placed at the opposite end in a cozy nook for two, while the stairs opposite lead up to the outdoor rooftop terrace, with a table and benches for alfresco dining and wicker furniture for relaxing as the busy city passes by.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Complimentary Daylesford welcome hamper packed with fresh bread and delicious homemade jams, daily breakfast provided. Optional bespoke services including events and receptions can be arranged, private chef, boat captain for hire and private yoga instruction available. 

Kitchen and bath amenities, Wifi, books and board games, two bicycles and a rowing boat, provided free of charge to guests.

AROUND

The West London neighborhood of Paddington is bookended between Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, Notting Hill and the West End. The leafy neighborhood's parks, gardens and squares, are bisected by the Grand Union Canal and Little Venice's picturesque waterways, and the historic and grand London Paddington station. 

Merchant's Square is a hub of activity Tuesdays and Thursdays with excellent street food, while the pubs and cafes along the canals are some of the best in the area.

Just a few minutes east of Notting Hill and Portobello Road, with lots of great shops, restaurants and bars. The world-famous market offers up everything from fruits and veg to designer clothes and antiques. The best days for bargain hunting through the maze of stalls are Fridays and Saturdays. The neighborhood has a variety of great eateries, from Italian to Portuguese and Moroccan, and the Michelin-starred Ledbury nearby.

London is more than the sum of its parts, and represents the vast multicultural diversity that makes it a truly global city. The historic splendour and iconic landmarks are legion here, from Westminster Abbey and Big Ben to The Tower and Buckingham Palace, the city is a blend of world heritage and modern capital might all contained within it’s original medieval boundaries along the Thames.

The glittering west end neighborhoods of Knightsbridge, Mayfair, Soho, Kensington, Chelsea, Belgravia and Camden encompass the core of the city which also boasts more lush parkland than any other world capital and an abundance of variety to discover.

LOCATION

Paddington, London, England. Nearest Airport: Heathrow, Gatwick and London Airports

BEST TIME TO VISIT: Year round