Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve answered the questions our guests ask most — from how to get here from every London airport, to what’s in the rooms and why booking direct always gets you more. Can’t find what you’re looking for? We’re at reception 24 hours a day: call +44 20 7724 7414, email us, or for the fastest response, send us a WhatsApp message on the same number.
Booking & Rates
Booking directly — on our website, by phone, or by email — gives you the best price, the best flexibility, and exclusive perks no OTA can match:
• Lowest non-refundable rate — guaranteed to beat or match any OTA
• Best cancellation policy — free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival on our flexible rate. OTAs require 48 hours notice — booking direct gives you an extra 24 hours of flexibility
• Free unlimited UK calls — unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles from your in-room phone, at no charge
• Complimentary 12:00 PM late check-out — included with every direct booking, subject to availability
• Direct access to our team — modify, cancel or ask us anything without going through a third party
Book direct at princewilliamhotel.com, call +44 20 7724 7414, or WhatsApp us on the same number
Lowest rates. 24-hour cancellation (vs 48 on OTAs). Free late check-out. Free UK calls. Always.
Flexible rate (Best Available Rate): Free cancellation up to 24 hours before arrival, exclusively when booking direct (website, phone, email or in person). When booking via Booking.com, Expedia or any other OTA, the cancellation period is 48 hours. This extra 24 hours of flexibility is only available to direct bookers. If on rare occasions you find a lower price elsewhere, please contact us directly and we will not be beaten on price.
Non-refundable rate: Our lowest possible price. Cannot be cancelled or modified once booked. Available both direct and via OTAs — our direct price is always the same or lower.
For early departure on flexible bookings, please inform reception by 11:00 AM at least 24 hours before your new departure date. Non-refundable bookings are non-amendable.
Breakfast is not automatically included in our room rates. You have two options:
• Book a Breakfast Inclusive rate when reserving online — just £10 per person per day (our best value option)
• Pay on the morning — £15 per person
Booking in advance always saves you money. We recommend selecting the Breakfast Inclusive rate when booking direct on our website to lock in the best price.
Our continental breakfast buffet is served in the ground floor breakfast room: Monday–Friday 7:30–10:00 AM, weekends and bank holidays 8:00–10:00 AM. Please advise us in advance of any dietary requirements or allergies.
For direct bookings, contact us at any time by phone (+44 20 7724 7414), WhatsApp, or email. We’ll handle it immediately.
For OTA bookings, unfortunately, changes can only be made through the platform you booked with (Booking.com, Expedia etc.). This is one of the key reasons we recommend booking direct.
Yes. We accept Mastercard, Visa, Diners Club, and American Express. We do not accept cash, cheques or travellers cheques. Payment can be settled in GBP or your local currency at check-out.
Check-In, Check-Out & Arrival
Standard check-in: from 3:00 PM
Standard check-out: by 11:00 AM
Early check-in and late check-out are available at £10 per hour, subject to room availability. If you need to check in before 12:00 PM, we strongly recommend booking from the night before to guarantee a room is ready.
Guests who book direct automatically receive a complimentary 12:00 PM late check-out, subject to availability.
Our reception team is here 24 hours a day. If your room isn’t ready, we’ll store your luggage securely so you can head out and explore. If you need the room ready at a specific early time, contact us in advance and we’ll advise on availability (£10/hour). We recommend booking from the night before if you need to check in before 12:00 PM.
Yes — a couple of days before your arrival you’ll receive an email with a link to complete check-in online. We recommend doing this in advance to speed up your arrival and get you to your room quickly. Check your inbox and junk folder just in case.
Yes. Complimentary secure luggage storage is available at reception on your arrival and departure day. For overnight luggage storage please speak to reception who can advise on availability and costs.
Yes — our reception is staffed around the clock every day of the year. You can also reach us by WhatsApp on +44 20 7724 7414 at any time.
Rooms & Facilities
The Prince William Hotel occupies a beautiful period-listed 18th-century Victorian corner building with 49 fully refurbished rooms. As with most boutique hotels in London’s historic buildings, rooms are compact but every one is thoughtfully equipped:
• Nespresso coffee machine with pods, milk and sugar, plus kettle and tea making facilities
• Luxury Arran Sense of Scotland toiletries
• Smart flat-screen TV
• Laptop-compatible safe in wardrobe
• Hairdryer in wardrobe
• Fast, free, unlimited Wi-Fi
• Daily housekeeping between 10:30 AM and 3:00 PM
Please note the hotel does not have air conditioning (see Q14). If you have a preference for floor, room type or aspect, please mention it when booking and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.
Yes — The Prince William Hotel has a lift serving floors Lower Ground through to Floor 4. Please note the lift does not serve the 5th floor. If you have heavy luggage and prefer not to use stairs, please let us know when booking and we will do our best to allocate you a room accordingly.
Dark Double rooms are our most affordable double room category. They are compact, fully equipped rooms without a window — ideal for guests who are light sleepers or simply want a quiet, dark space to rest well.
All other room categories at The Prince William Hotel have windows, including our lower ground floor rooms. If you prefer natural light, simply choose any room category other than Dark Double.
No — The Prince William is a period-listed 18th-century Victorian building and does not have air conditioning. Rooms are heated by radiators with individual thermostats. Fans are available on request at reception at no charge.
We are upfront about this because we want guests to have a comfortable stay. The rooms are well insulated in the historic building. If you are visiting in warmer summer months and air conditioning is important to you, our sister hotels The Blandford (Marylebone) and The Edwin (Earl’s Court) and The Judd (Bloomsbury) all have air conditioning.
Every bathroom is stocked with luxury Arran Sense of Scotland toiletries — shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and soap, inspired by the natural beauty of the Isle of Arran. Full-size bottles are available to purchase at reception.
Yes — every room has a Nespresso machine with pods, milk and sugar, plus a kettle and tea making facilities. Ask reception for replenishments any time during your stay.
Yes. Guests who book direct receive unlimited complimentary calls to UK landlines and UK mobiles from the in-room phone. Haven’t booked direct? Please ask reception for current call rates.
The Prince William Hotel does not have its own room service. You can order food and drinks for delivery to your room from nearby partners — scan the QR code on the in-room menu via Papyon for a range of options.
We ask all guests to respect quiet hours between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM. The hotel is entirely non-smoking — a £250 cleaning charge applies if smoking occurs indoors.
Unfortunately, The Prince William Hotel is not accessible for guests with significant mobility requirements. The building has a raised ground floor with steps from the road to the front door. Our lift is very small and we do not have purpose built accessible rooms due to the nature of the listed building.
We are honest about this because we want every guest to have a comfortable stay. If you have any mobility concerns, we strongly recommend calling us on +44 20 7724 7414 before booking so we can discuss suitability. Our team will always do their utmost to help.
Getting Here
The fastest and easiest option: Heathrow Express direct to Paddington Station in just 15 minutes, then a 5-minute walk to the hotel. Total journey under 25 minutes. Cost: approximately £25–32 single.
Budget option: Elizabeth line direct to Paddington (approximately 35 minutes, no changes). Cost: approximately £6–8 with Oyster card or contactless.
Private transfer can be arranged through reception. Please allow at least 3 hours before your flight departure.
Gatwick Express to London Victoria (approximately 30 minutes), then District or Circle line to Paddington (15 minutes). Total approximately 55–65 minutes. Alternatively, Thameslink to Blackfriars then Circle line to Paddington. A taxi takes 75–90 minutes depending on traffic.
Stansted Express to Liverpool Street (approximately 50 minutes), then Central line to Notting Hill Gate and District/Circle line to Paddington — total approximately 80–90 minutes. Or taxi in approximately 75–90 minutes.
Thameslink from Luton Airport Parkway (5-minute DART shuttle from terminal) to St Pancras International (approximately 50 minutes), then Circle or Hammersmith & City line to Paddington (approximately 15 minutes). Total approximately 70–80 minutes.
Take the Circle or Hammersmith & City line from Paddington to King’s Cross St Pancras — approximately 15 minutes, no changes. The hotel can also arrange a private taxi which is quicker with heavy luggage. Allow at least 3 hours before your Eurostar departure.
The hotel has no on-site parking. The nearest option for longer stays is Apcoa Parking near Paddington Station. Some short-term pay-and-display parking is available on Gloucester Terrace and nearby streets. With Paddington Station just a 5-minute walk away — including the Heathrow Express — most guests find they don’t need a car in London at all.
Breakfast, Dining & Local Area
Our continental breakfast buffet includes croissants, pastries, toast and bread rolls, bagels, cheese, cold meats, boiled eggs, yoghurt, muesli, cereal, fresh juice and hot drinks. Served in the ground floor breakfast room:
Monday–Friday: 7:30 AM – 10:00 AM
Weekends & Bank Holidays: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Breakfast costs £10 per person when pre-booked (online or before check-in), or £15 per person on the day. Please advise us in advance of any dietary requirements.
Paddington has excellent dining on the doorstep. Our team’s top picks:
• Altonapoli Italian (2-min walk, Craven Road) — rated 4.8/5 on TripAdvisor, one of the best Italian restaurants in the area
• Granier Bakery (3-min walk, Craven Road) — fresh pastries, sandwiches and excellent coffee. Great for a quick breakfast alternative
• Bizzarro Italian (3-min walk, Craven Road) — classic trattoria, 4.5/5, homemade pasta and seafood
• Ozuki Sushi (3-min walk, Craven Terrace) — rated 4.8/5, sushi, ramen and Thai curries
• Nipa Thai Restaurant (4-min walk) — rated 4.6/5, award-winning Thai restaurant at the Royal Lancaster London
Our team would be delighted to provide more recommendations just reach out on Whatsapp.
Paddington has some excellent options very close by:
• The Cleveland Arms (3-min walk, Gloucester Mews W2) — a charming local tucked into the mews just behind the hotel. Traditional pub with real ales and a great neighbourhood feel.
• Pride of Paddington (5-min walk, 1–3 Craven Road) — widely regarded as one of the best pubs in Paddington. Rotating cask ales, classic British food, and those legendary marmalade-loving bear references. 2 minutes from Paddington Station.
• The Victoria (8-min walk, Strathearn Place) — Fuller’s Pub of the Year multiple times, steeped in history. Charles Dickens wrote here, Queen Victoria visited. Outstanding beer and modern British food.
• The Swan (6-min walk, Bayswater Road) — dates back to the 1700s. Beautiful terrace overlooking Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens. Great for a summer evening pint.
Ask our reception team for more local recommendations — we know the neighbourhood well.
The location is exceptional for sightseeing:
• 5 min walk — Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens (free entry, 350 acres)
• 5 min walk — Paddington Station (Elizabeth line, Heathrow Express, National Rail)
• 5 min walk — Italian Gardens, Kensington Gardens (free)
• 6 min walk — Alexander Fleming Museum at St Mary’s Hospital (where penicillin was discovered)
• 13 min walk — The Rolling Bridge, Paddington Basin (lifts every Friday at noon — great photo opportunity)
• 16 min walk — Diana Memorial Playground, Kensington Gardens (free)
• 17 min walk — Kensington Palace (former home of Princess Diana)
• 2 stops — Natural History Museum, V&A and Science Museum (all free, South Kensington)
• 3 stops — Oxford Street, Marble Arch
Download the free CityMapper app for the best routes around London.
Yes — our team works with Golden Tours for London sightseeing, attractions and day trips, with preferential rates for our guests. For theatre tickets and tours, WhatsApp us on +44 20 7724 7414. Private airport transfers can be arranged through reception — please allow at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure.