Historical Traveler Reviews of Hotel Thistle Victoria London
Great location, classic hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed for a week at the Thistle Victoria in March, 2003. It is difficult to beat the location for the Thistle Victoria; adjacent to Victoria station, easy access to tube stops and Gatwick Express. There is an entrance to the hotel directly from the station. There are a lot of good things about the hotel: breakfasts are nice (either continental or full English breakfast). Lobby area is very nice,and hallways are wide. Our room (410) was large with high ceilings and a very large bathroom. However, our friends stayed next door (411) and their room was smaller, with a tiny bath. If you can abandon the idea of American chain hotels, you'll probably enjoy the Victoria. It reminded me of the Palmer House in Chicago, if the Palmer House hadn't been remodeled for 40 years. We liked the size of our room, large windows; even though it overlooked the train station, it was quiet. However, it's an old hotel; the carpeting was worn and fixtures are old. We liked it and would stay there again, but it's probably not for everybody. I have seen other reviews which said elevators didn't work, etc., but we had no problems with any of that. Also, be aware that some parts of the hotel are not air conditioned, so if you have a summer trip, be sure to insist on the air conditioned parts. Overall, this is a good hotel for tourists who consider location to be important. If you need luxury (for which you'll probably pay $300+ per night), then this probably isn't the place for you.
Good value, great location, but worn
from A TripAdvisor Member
The location is very convenient and has great access to bus and underground lines, as well as easy train access to southeastern Britain, including Gatwick Airport. The service was reasonably efficient and friendly and the rooms comfortable. However, the hotel is badly in need of redecoration (paint, carpets, furniture, etc.), at least on my floor (the 5th) where the rooms and hallways were a bit shabby and worn. The clientele is mostly tourists, with few business persons. I got a great rate, so I was pleased overall.
Old...but nice.
from A TripAdvisor Member
Just returned from a visit to a truly beautiful city! The Thistle Victoria was nice, old but nice. It's location was ideal, with easy access to the Underground at Victoria Station. Continental breakfast was pretty basic, staff nice, except the guy seating us needs to smile! When we we there, 02/16-21, one of the elevators (lifts) was out-of-order, and that was a pain. Rooms were small but clean, and single beds were comfortable. Our room was overlooking the roof for the train station and we could hear the train announcements all night long, ugh! I would advise asking when checking in if you could have a room away from that location. Would we stay there again, no. Oh yes, no facecloths in the room, maybe thats UK standard, just in case your interested.
Comfortable beds!
from A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed in July 2002. Absolutely the most comfortable bed of any hotel I've ever stayed at: big fluffy pillows (2 on each twin bed), oversized comforter and just-firm-enough mattress covered by high-thread-count sheets. Very quiet rooms, even ours which overlooked Victoria Station. Rooms are a little small, but average-sized for London. The large, cavernous hallways reminded me of the grand history of the hotel. The staff was very friendly. The location is excellent: Victoria Station is accessible through the hotel (during the daytime) and Buckingham Palace, Parliament within walking distance. I would definitely stay here again.
An Amazing Hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
This hotel is amazing! The lobby is the most beautiful I have seen in any hotel! The food is wonderful, and the whole place feels rather cozy yet elegant. Rooms are a bit small, but I had a wonderful view above Victoria Station where I could see some of the old buildings dotting the city. If you are going to London, you will not find a hotel like this anywhere else in the city.
Great experience
from A TripAdvisor Member
Clean room, well furnished, large. Bathroom was nice. Staff could be friendlier, but they were helpful. Beautiful building, inside and out. Breakfast was great. Lifts need improvement. Great (three night) stay overall.
Nice, clean, old hotel, and convienant
from BobRandall
We stayed at the Thistle Victoria for 8 days in january 2002 and had a great time! It is a nice, old-style hotel and is convienantly located aside the Victoria train station. Continental breakfast was nice, and the Harvard bar in the Hotel has a nice atmosphere. I didn't care much for the restraunt they have there in the hotel, but there is a GREAT little Italian restraunt a block away and a few pizza places within walking distance. If you are planning on staying for a while and touring London, I would highly recommend getting a Tube pass BEFORE you get there (especially for those in the USA). It is cheaper before you go, you can get it for 4 or 8 days, and the tube is great! It goes everywhere you would want to go!
Grand hotel in every sense...
from A TripAdvisor Member
Spent our last night in Europe here after arriving by Eurostar from Paris. It was grand. We had a huge double room with extremely comfortable double beds (2 of them). It was very nicely decorated and maintained. Even though it was facing the street, it was quiet. The bathroom was very nice. The hotel gives the feeling of being in a grand hotel. It's right at Victoria station which is convenient especially if you're flying out of Gatwick. The location is convenient to the sight-seeing double-decker bus line, quick food options, a major bus station, theaters, the underground, even an internet cafe. The surrounding area is a little rough after dark but there are lots of people around so not too bad. We were able to book in connection with our airline so the price was very reasonable for what we got.
Wonderful hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
We stayed at the Thistle Victoria for six days in July,2002. We absolutely loved it! The room was very nice, a bit smaller than we're used to in the states, but very clean and nicely decorated. The bathroom was a good size and immaculate with a wonderful power showerhead. The hotel staff was very friendly and helpful. We thought the location was ideal, right next to Victoria Station, where you could easily pick up trains, busses and the tube. The victorian hotel lobby was beautiful.We found the cost to be quite reasonable for London. I highly recommend this hotel!
Good Value - Clean and Comfortable
from A TripAdvisor Member
Stayed at the Thistle Victoria at the end of April. The hotel is a landmark old property (it used to be the Grosvenor Hotel). The staff were friendly and helpful. The rates are quite reasonable for London, and include a full English Breakfast which is good and filling. The rooms are large (by London standards) and are clean and comfortable. This is probably one of the best moderate/budget hotels in all of London. Highly reccommended.