About Maida Vale Located in West London, Maida Vale is primarily an affluent residential district whose exquisite properties and peacefully paced life have turned it into a popular inner-city escape for Londoners. It possesses a village feel with its independent shops, restaurants, cafés and open spaces despite its close proximity to town. It encompasses the Paddington Basin which is the confluence of three canals and is known as Little Venice. This area is popular for its white stucco Regency maisonettes as well as the numerous houseboats moored along the canals.