“I Tried A New Way To Stay In London & It Felt Effortlessly Luxe”
Why settle for a standard hotel room when you could wake up in a beautifully styled home in the heart of London or Paris? Veeve has been curating character-filled stays since 2011, offering discerning travellers the chance to live like a local with the comfort, space and service you’d expect from a boutique hotel. From family townhouses to design-led apartments in prime city locations, there really is something for every kind of trip. We sent our Social Media Manager, Kitty, to stay at one of their London properties to see how it compared to a hotel – here’s how she went…
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First impressions
Nestled in Kensal Rise, Colour & Light is one of those homes where you notice the tasteful decor the moment you walk through the door. Just an eight-minute walk from Kensal Rise station, the neighbourhood feels calm and residential, yet you’re only a quick tube ride from London’s liveliest hotspots.
Inside, the interiors are a masterclass in curation: pale pinks paired with deep reds, olive greens with inky blues, and walls punctuated by art and trinkets that feel like they’ve been collected from travels around the world. Even the lamps and wallpaper choices give the impression of staying in a house that’s both lived-in and perfectly styled.
Use code HANDBOOK10 for 10% off your booking
Check-in was seamless, with a warm welcome from a member of the Veeve team who gave us a quick tour. Fresh linens, fluffy towels, bathroom products and even a collection of tea, coffee and biscuits had been perfectly arranged, setting the tone for a stay that felt hotel-polished yet distinctly homely.
What sets it apart
Veeve helps you to step into the lifestyle of a luxury-loving Londoner, if only for a night. My day-to-day is in a much smaller flat, so staying here felt indulgent. With the entire home to ourselves, we spread out, cooked in the vast kitchen, and enjoyed morning coffee at the big dining table while I caught up on some emails.
My day-to-day is in a much smaller flat, so staying here felt indulgent.
The freedom is unlike a hotel stay: more privacy, more space, more personality. The nearby deli and shops added to the local-living experience — we wandered over to pick up wine, fresh pumpkin and sage tortellini, and yellow courgettes, then came back to cook them in the dream kitchen as if we’d lived in Kensal Rise for years.
The facilities
This house is designed for elevated living. Think: high ceilings, vast skylights, free-standing baths, garden spaces, and stylish interiors in every room. It’s well-equipped too, with TVs in each bedroom, coffee and tea fully stocked, fluffy towels and toiletries ready to go.
Each corner of the home reflected thoughtful design, from the wallpaper to the choice of furniture, making it feel like staying in an artfully styled editorial shoot.
What really elevated the experience was how much more personal it felt compared to a hotel. Each corner of the home reflected thoughtful design, from the wallpaper to the choice of furniture, making it feel like staying in an artfully styled editorial shoot.
The only thing you don’t have, compared to staying in a hotel, is a cleaning service, so you’ve got to keep on top of your own cleaning and leave the space spick and span, which feels very doable.
Use code HANDBOOK10 for 10% off your booking
The rooms
The main bedroom sits at the very top of the house, light-filled with huge windows overlooking leafy views. It came complete with a walk-in wardrobe and airy en suite bathroom, home to a beautiful cast iron roll-top tub — which I immediately made use of with the most heavenly bath salts.
One rare luxury that deserves a special mention: air conditioning. With London in the grip of a heatwave, this small but mighty detail took the stay from comfortable to exceptional.
With London in the grip of a heatwave, this small but mighty detail took the stay from comfortable to exceptional.
Food & drink
While the area is bursting with foodie options — viral pizza spot Ria’s is just 15 minutes away — we couldn’t resist cooking in. The big kitchen begged to be used, and with fresh produce from the local deli, dinner was as much about the joy of the space as the food itself.
Nearby pubs and cafés give plenty of choice should you prefer to eat out, making the location a foodie-friendly base for a staycation.
Things to do nearby
This time, we didn’t venture far, preferring to soak up the home itself. But if you do want to explore, Kensal Rise offers a blend of local gems and quick access to central London. The location is perfect for feeling tucked away while still being within easy reach of the action.
The verdict
If you’ve ever wanted to experience London like someone who lives here, Veeve is the way to do it. Whether you’re a couple after a romantic night away, a family needing more space than a hotel (this home has children’s rooms, too), or a traveller wanting to swap hotels for homely authenticity, it’s a stay that delivers on every level. It truly lived up to the promise of living like a luxury Londoner. I’d book with Veeve again in a heartbeat.
How to get there
Kensal Rise is just eight minutes on foot from the station of the same name, making it quick and easy to reach. From there, central London is only a short journey away, but you’ll love coming back to the tranquillity of the neighbourhood after a busy day in the city.
How to book
Homes start from around £200/night. Book your stay at Veeve.com and use our exclusive reader code for 10% off. Alternatively, interested in becoming a host? Here’s how you can sign up.
Use code HANDBOOK10 for 10% off your booking
