For more information and to book please visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or let us arrange your whole trip, by calling +44 (0)20 8987 4312 or from the USA dial 1 866 610 3867.
Europa House Apartments
- Style
- Low-key luxury apartments
- Setting
- London's Little Venice village
These stylish serviced apartments in Maida Vale have an understated elegance punctuated by one-off design pieces by Tom Dixon and Mark Brazier Jones. It’s like having keys handed to you for your very own impeccably furnished, upmarket residence. And best of all, at Europa House, you'll feel as though you have an old friend on hand to book you the best tables in town. At the back of this contemporary classic is its show-stopper: an award-winning three-acre communal garden which is utterly enclosed – a dream for parents with little ones in tow. As grown-up as the chic furnishings and slick fittings may appear, families are welcomed with open arms and invited to think of these one-, two-, three- and four-bedroomed apartments as their very own sophisticated home from home.
'Stylish, spacious, cleaned to perfection, felt right at home and the staff very helpful.'
'This was our third stay here and each time it has been a wonderful experience as it is a superbly managed property.'
'The garden and playground is brilliant for children.'
In the know
Grounds
These apartments have access to London’s best large private garden square: the three-acre Crescent Garden to the rear of Europa House recently won an award for its beautiful, enclosed communal grounds surrounded by stucco-fronted 19th-century houses.
Sleeps
1–8
Ideal for
Media moguls seeking discretion, long-term London visits, stylish family sojourns, upscale West London breaks.
Rates
One-bedroom suites start at £180 a night excluding VAT, two-bedroom suites from £250.
Minimum hire
One night.
Also
Massages can be booked to have in your suite. Pets are not allowed.
Eating & drinking
A welcome pack is provided on arrival of organic milk, mineral water, Fairtrade coffee, tea, sugar, hot chocolate and biscuits. They can also stock your cupboards and fridge with groceries prior to your visit; send them a written list of your desires and they’ll get it sorted for a simple 20 per cent service charge. Ocado can also deliver to your apartment, see ‘Shopping’. There are local Japanese, Indian and Thai restaurants that deliver
as can Deliverance (www.deliverance.co.uk).
Children
The green, grassy gardens at the back are completely enclosed, providing privacy and peace of mind for parents. As for equipment, kindly staff is on-hand to provide travel cots, high chairs, baby bath, changing mats, DVDs, board games, books, toys, potties, toilet steps, socket covers, baby cutlery and plates.
Music
Wireless high-speed internet, cordless telephones/voicemail, flatscreen LCD TV and Freeview channels, video and DVD library.
Provided
REN skincare products, access to video and DVD library.
Packing tips
Your iPod: see 'Walks', under 'Activities'.
Smith card offer
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check availability
To check availability and book a vacation rental property please call the Smith travel team on 1 866 610 3867. We guarantee best available rates on all vacation rental properties.
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Interior
Bedrooms
Kitchen
Living room The living rooms feature with LCD screen TV and satellite, video/DVD/music system, a work station and a dining area.
Dining room
Other
Outdoor
Gardens In addition to the grade-II listed balconied terrace, there’s a glorious award-winning private garden at the back of the building. Local residents defeated plans by the Church Commissioners to turn the garden into a car park and today it has lawns, interesting shrubs and trees and also a children’s playground area.
Parking
check availability
To check availability and book a vacation rental property please call the Smith travel team on 1 866 610 3867. We guarantee best available rates on all vacation rental properties.
Located in this leafy West London neighbourhood, Europa House Apartments provide seclusion, discretion and independence all within reach of some of Central London's most famous landmarks.
Activities
Best picnic spot
You don’t have to go far – the gardens behind Europa House are perfect, and they can provide picnic blankets, cool bag, and a play tent. We suggest trawling Raoul's Gourmet for deli salads, meats and cheeses, fresh breads, dips, fruit juices (see ‘Shopping’). Or take in some drama with your alfresco entertainments a picnic, sit on the grass banks and let the words of the Bard and co float out across the balmy breeze to you.
Best beaches
As you're in London beaches aren't really one the agenda, but long-term stayers might be tempted by a day trip to Whitstable or Brighton. Nearer is the 'Plage' opposite Tower Bridge on the South Bank of the River Thames, which is set up in the summer. There is a fantastic Beach Party at the end of August before they take it away.
Best walks
Take a guided tow-path tour along the Grand Union Canal all the way to King’s Cross armed with your iPod; download the MP3 file from www.canalmuseum.org.uk/visit/podcasts.htm
Activities
You might think it's the preserve of Japanese tourists, but hey, a pic of you and yours channelling the Beatles on their iconic Abbey Road LP cover could be a fun one for the family album. Head to the original recording studios just up the road in St John's Wood. Or if cricket is your dream day out, your mothership is around the corner at Lords (www.lords.org; +44(0)20 7616 8500). Also in that direction is London Zoo in Regent's Park (www.zsl.org; 020 7722 3333). In this neck of the woods too is Regents Park open-air theatre (openairtheatre.org; +44 (0)844 826 4242) where thesps declare their undying love, hate and who knows what else, outdoors. Productions have included 'Much Ado About Nothing', 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and 'Hello Dolly!' The New Shakespeare Company Ltd, The Ironworks, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4NR.
Smith tip
Reluctant land-lubbers should hop on the Jasons Canal Boat Trip and take the original Regents Park canal boat tour which runs between Jason's Wharf in Little Venice and Café Crema in Camden. You’ll be experiencing a piece of nautical history; the Jason is an authentic 100-year-old canal boat originally used as a cargo-vessel. The trip takes an hour and a half, or forty-five minutes each way. Boat departs opposite number 42 Blomfield Road just beside the Westbourne Terrace Road Bridge. (www.jasons.co.uk; +44(0)20 7286 3428) Or see the city by bike (and make the mayor happy); hire some wheels from the London bicycle tour company. Along with your steed, a trusty guide will escort you on a three-hour tour. You’ll whiz past Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, St Paul’s, the Law Courts, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre and dungeons and docks. The London Bicycle Tour Company at 1a Gabriels Wharf, 56 Upper Ground, London, SE1 9PP. (www.londonbicycle.com; +44 (0)20 7928 6838)
Eating, drinking and dancing
Pubs
The Warrington Pub
+44 (0)20 7592 7960
Gone is the beloved Thai upstairs at this fine wood-panelled boozer, replaced by a hostelry owned by Gordon Ramsay no less. And it is right next door – fab.
93 Warrington Crescent, London W9 1EH
Restaurants
Formosa Dining Rooms
+44 (0)20 7286 3287
For some hearty pub food in stylish Victorian surrounds, feast in the Prince Alfred’s beautiful dining room. A chic contrast to the 1863 building, this is a modern and minimalist space, whose menu has gained a nod of approval from the maestros at Michelin. Twice-cooked crisp belly pork is a popular choice and there is a wallet-friendly ‘Two courses for £10 deal’, is available throughout the week at lunch, or from 6.30pm–7.30pm, Monday to Thursday. Try Mussels with spicy coconut & sugar snaps, move on to the legendary pork belly main and finish off with the British cheese board.
Formosa Street, London W9 2JS
Red Pepper
+44 (0)20 7266 2708
For a quick, slick Italian meal with panache, enter the pepper-red dining room and order a thin-crust pizza, some seductive seafood, or a pasta dish to remember, like fresh artichoke and king prawn ravioli. On a cold day, the parmigiano pizza will bring warmth to your body and contentment to the soul. Pace yourself though, the tiramisu and dark chocolate tart are local favourites. Not the place to woo Mrs Smith (the small space gets crowded and service comes sans frills) but nevertheless, fantastic fuel to set you up for London exploring.
8 Formosa Street, London W9 1EE
Ben’s Thai
+44 (0)871 971 7258
Formerly of the Warrington, this small but informal eatery is now sitting pretty above the Robert Browning pub. Ben’s menu ticks all the tasty Thai boxes and delivers great food at reasonable prices. Panang is lusciously creamy, the Pad Thai has just the right spice-kick and the duck rolls are the perfect blend of crunch and chew. Sam Smith fans should head downstairs to the pub for a post-dinner brew.
15 Clifton Road, London W9 1SY
Maguro
+44 (0)20 7289 4353
For a taste of Japan via Maida Vale, savour some sushi and sip some sake in Maguro’s sleek, streamlined wooden expanse. The restaurant serves up lunch and dinner, boasting a bewilderingly long menu for each. There is also a sushi bar for conveyor-belt style dining. Try the signature Maguro maki roll: prawn tempura, avocado, cucumber and lettuce with salad and soup accompaniments.
5 Lanark Place, London W9 1BT
Cafés
Raoul’s Café
+44 (0)20 7289 7313
If consuming your five daily fruit and veg is a challenge, head to Raoul’s and sample a more-ish Mediterranean menu; there’s a rainbow of pulses, roots, beans and salads to choose from and fresh fruit smoothies to wash them down with. We also love their famous yellow eggs scrambled for brunch. You could actually eat away an entire day at Raoul’s; it serves up Full English (be sure to try those Italian eggs) and muesli breakfasts, light lunch and delectable dinner. The surroundings are suitably stylish; don’t be surprised if a local celeb sits slurping a shake behind you. The café also has a deli section, with picnic-perfect goodies to enjoy in the sunshine. http://raoulsgourmet.com
13 Clifton Rd, London W9 1SZ
Vicki’s Café
+44 (0)20 7289 6399
Make like a cabbie and feast on a full English at Vicki’s, a warm and welcoming Maida Vale establishment beloved for its reliably good food and reliably smiley owner. Vicki has a contempt for mean portions, so bring your appetite with you and expect a plate piled high. The all-day breakfast is a deliciously sinful way to banish hunger and lighter snacks are available for the less ravenous, including sandwiches (the club comes highly recommended) couscous salads, chicken kebabs and fish cakes.
28 Clifton Road, London W9 1ST
check availability
To check availability and book a vacation rental property please call the Smith travel team on 1 866 610 3867. We guarantee best available rates on all vacation rental properties.
Housekeeping
There is a daily maid service on weekdays.
check availability
To check availability and book a vacation rental property please call the Smith travel team on 1 866 610 3867. We guarantee best available rates on all vacation rental properties.
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Planes London has several international airports: Heathrow, to the west, is on the Piccadilly Line, or 15 minutes from Paddington on the Heathrow Express train (£14.50), and therefore the most convenient for this property. Gatwick, to the south, is 30 minutes from Victoria via the Gatwick Express (£14.90). Stansted and Luton, to the east, are where most of the budget carriers land. There are trains to Liverpool Street four times an hour (£14.50) from Stansted, and a regular rail service to King’s Cross from Luton. City Airport in Docklands is dominated by European business flights and is on the DLR line.
Trains The nearest Tube station is Maida Vale. The Tube network will be your saviour, taking you anywhere you need to go (www.tfl.gov.uk/tube); your best bet is to buy an Oyster card from any station for reduced-price journeys (valid on buses too) across the capital. International trains arrive at St Pancras (www.stpancras.com), which has good links via the Underground.
Directions by road You are just outside the Congestion Charge Zone but venture onto the Edgware Road and you'll soon be zapped. On weekdays from 7am to 6pm, there’s an £8 daily payable to drive into and around central London (www.cclondon.com); parking is easy, but can be pricey. Beware overzealous traffic officials.
Review
These luxury serviced apartments in Maida Vale have an understated neutral elegance punctuated by one-off design pieces by Tom Dixon and Mark Brazier Jones. It’s like having keys handed to you for your very own impeccably furnished, upmarket residence, best of all, with an old friend on hand to book you the best tables in town. At the back of this contemporary classic is one of London’s finest private gardens. Europa Apartments also has award-winning three-acre communal grounds at the back, which are utterly enclosed – a dream for parents with little ones in tow.
check availability
To check availability and book a vacation rental property please call the Smith travel team on 1 866 610 3867. We guarantee best available rates on all vacation rental properties.
Back to top
