The Pilgrm – Craft, Character, and a New Chapter for a London Original
Where History, Design, and Heartfelt Hospitality Converge
A Revival Rooted in Soul
The Pilgrm is a love letter to craftsmanship—an ode to the beauty of what already exists, meticulously restored and thoughtfully reimagined. Once known as the Royal Norfolk Hotel, this 19th-century building near Paddington has been reborn under the eye of a passionate team led by Jason Catifeoglou and Andreas and Steph Thrasyvoulou. Their mission: honor the past, elevate the present, and create a place that feels as authentic as London itself.
History, Revealed and Celebrated
Nowhere in the hotel is the story of renewal more evident than in its details. The 200-year-old parquet floors have been returned to their former glow. A grand staircase—polished through 300 hours of careful restoration—spirals upward like a piece of living heritage. The lobby walls are clad in royal blue tiles inspired by originals found hidden beneath decades of paint, and salvaged architectural treasures from across the UK—brass lights, antique paneling, forgotten fixtures—have found new purpose here. The result is a space that feels layered and human: materials with memory, textures that speak, and design that means something.
Spaces for Connection
The ground-floor café sets the tone immediately: warm, communal, unpretentious. It doubles as reception, serving excellent coffee and pastries that draw in travelers and locals alike. On the first floor, a cozy lounge invites guests to graze, sip, and linger—an all-day living room where conversation comes easily and cocktails flow at the right moment. It’s hospitality that feels natural and neighbourly rather than formal and rehearsed.
Rooms with Honesty and Heart
Upstairs, the rooms embrace a pared-back, spartan-chic aesthetic—minimal but never cold. Vintage lighting, real plants, curated artwork, and stacks of books add personality and warmth. Organic cotton mattresses and Marshall speakers elevate essentials into pleasures. Bunk rooms offer compact simplicity; larger rooms bring in more comfort with televisions and a greater sense of space. Bathrooms make a bold impression with utilitarian fixtures chosen to amplify mood—proof that luxury doesn’t need to shout. Window views vary from serene Norfolk Square greenery to the kinetic buzz of the city streets below.
A Hotel with a Point of View
What makes The Pilgrm special is its conviction. It isn’t built on trends or excess—it’s built on integrity: the belief that design should have meaning, hospitality should have heart, and every object deserves a second life if it has a story to tell.
DNA Hotels Verdict
The Pilgrm is a beautifully crafted antidote to disposable design. A soulful retreat with thoughtful service and purposeful restoration, it invites guests to slow down, look closely, and appreciate the poetry of the past woven seamlessly into the present. For travelers who value character over flash and quality over convention, The Pilgrm delivers a distinctly London experience—real, resonant, and quietly extraordinary.
