One of London’s most unusual stays is in a rejuvenated part of the city

The hotel

The Boathouse, London

The Boathouse is a canal boat moored in a vibrant London neighbourhood and makes for a novel stay.

Check-in

Once a dilapidated remnant of London’s 19th-century canal system, Paddington Basin has undergone a remarkable 20-year rejuvenation that has transformed this neglected corner of the capital into a vibrant mix of apartments, offices and restaurants. Given its heritage, it’s appropriate that one of the area’s accommodation options is a canal boat, and a very swish one at that. The Boathouse is an 18-metre-long wide-beam barge moored at Floating Pocket Park, a pontoon that’s a popular lunch spot for office workers. A staff member greets you at the boat for an orientation, then you’re left to your own devices for the rest of your stay.

The look

Not your average bathroom on a boat.

Kitted out by UK interior design brand MADE, the boat’s stylish Scandinavian-themed decor is a tactile medley of rustic wood-panelled walls, industrial light fittings and fake-fur throws. Large skylights flood the lounge and kitchen area with natural light and the walls feature portholes and arty black-and-white celebrity photos. The well-equipped kitchen has a gas stove and oven, high-end toaster, kettle and espresso machine plus a two-person dining table. Head up to the roof deck and you’ll find a large picnic bench, an outdoor wicker lounge set and an Instagrammable love seat. If Bjorn Borg has a canal boat, it would probably look like this.

The room

The barge’s cosy bedroom.

Located at the back (sorry, aft) of the boat, the bedroom is less spacious but still has a double bed, a full-length mirror and two small bedside tables styled with flower-filled vases and thoughtful reading matter. Boat bathrooms are rarely enjoyable places in which to hang out, but this one is an exception. The black-and-white tiled ensuite features a clawfoot tub, a rain shower, a proper toilet and upscale amenities by Laura Thomas Co. Sure, the shower pressure won’t knock you over and you have to turn on a pump to drain the bath, but these are minor concessions. The sofa in the lounge also converts into a bed (albeit a lumpy one), so the boat can sleep four at a push.

Food + drink

You can self-cater during a stay at The Boathouse.

If you decide not to self-cater, there are numerous canal-side food trucks and restaurants nearby, including two Aussie outposts (Bondi Green and Darcie & May Green) should you crave a taste of home. You’ll find excellent Middle Eastern fare along Edgware Road, a decent flat white at Frequency Coffee and a fabulous cheese selection on The Cheese Barge. Complimentary breakfast provisions (tea, coffee, cereal and preserves) are provided and there’s a minibar with beer, wines and bubbles. Onboard catering can also be arranged for a fee.

Out + about

Messing about on a canal is just as much fun as messing about on a river. Hire a paddleboard from Active360, get a self-driving electric boat from GoBoat or take an entertaining cruise along Regent’s Canal from Little Venice to Camden with the London Waterbus Company. There are two bikes onboard and Edgware Road underground station is a five-minute stroll away.

The verdict

There’s something innately relaxing about being on the water, even if you can’t go anywhere, and this stylish barge offers a unique perspective on a rapidly evolving London neighbourhood.

The essentials

An overnight stay for two is £360 ($705) on weekdays and £420 on weekends. There’s an additional £25 charge for extra guests (up to four in total). Not suitable for those with accessibility requirements. The Floating Pocket Park, Merchant Square, London. See boathouselondon.co.uk

Our score out of five

★★★★

Highlight

Enjoying a leisurely breakfast on the roof deck while watching commuters scurry off to work.

Lowlight

Having to keep the blinds closed to stop curious passers-by from peering in.

The writer was a guest of The Boathouse and Visit Britain. See visitbritain.com