Judy

My travel agent has suggested the Thistle Victoria Hotel for my family of four's first visit to London. Does anyone know anything about this hotel and its location? HOw about the Harrington Hall or the Park International? These are other suggestions by my travel agent. Any tips about what to do and how to get about would be appreciated

RosemaryM

Dear Judy, We stayed at the Thistle Victoria a few years ago when it was still the Grosvenor Thistle. It is old and rather Victorian, unless it has been refurbished with the new name. However I enjoyed it. It is so close to Victoria Station that there is an entrance to the Station concourse from the lobby. From our room you could hear the announcements from the station. It is very convenient if you are coming from Gatwick. <BR>Have a good trip, I love London <BR>Rosemary

judy

Thanks for the information, Rosemary. By saying that it is very old and very Victorian, are you indeed telling me that it needs some modernization and refurbishing? If you could hear the station was it not bothersome? Do you have any other suggestions for places to stay?

Carolyn

We stayed at the Victoria Thistle two years ago and it was very nice. "Victorian" in no way implies aged or seedy--the exterior is quite Victorian, but our room was spacious and lovely. We could hear the announcements from the station drift up, but they were in no way interruptive or sleep preventing. There really aren't too many announcements later in the evening or through the night. (I think we were on the third or fourth floor.) <BR> <BR>The location is perfect, of course, as it is right in the heart of things--walkable to Buckingham Palace, Westminister Abbey. It is convenient, obviously, to the rail station and to the tube, as well as bus stations. If you are flying in and out of Gatwick, it has the bonus of being right there where the jetlagged get off the Gatwick express! And if you are on Brit Air, you can check your luggage there at Victoria and not have to fiddle with it on your return trek to Gatwick. American Airlines used to have a check in there, too--I don't know if they still do. <BR> <BR>If there is a down side, it would be that its sheer massiveness means it is not exactly cosy and charming. It is more regal and just plain large. The breakfasts we had there were not quiet moments to start the day, but rather clattery, bustling experiences. But given all its other advantages, that was a minor point. <BR> <BR>Obviously we liked the place, and when the state of North Carolina gives its community college teachers a huge raise, we would stay there again! It is more affordable via airline package deals, I think.

judy

Thanks for such a nice reply from a fellow teacher. Georgia has not given us a raise, but my family and I are going anyway!!!!

Ann

Judy, The hotel is OK. Not great but OK. Everything works. MY only problem is the Victoria area. Horrendously busy, noisy, and covered in construction. They are currently redoing the front of Victoria Station which will be impossible to avoid. If you are only staying a few days then being dead central is key. If you are staying a week or so, go about one or two tube stops to the west for a more neighborhood London feel.

judy

Thanks we will be there for eight days. Any suggestions about a place a few tube stations away? <BR> <BR>Judy

heather

I too was considering this hotel, Thistle Victoria, for our trip in sept this year. my travel agent suggested Copthorne Tara but that seems out of the way for most of the sites; or are they about the same distance from buckingham palace, westmister abby?? I know there are tons of other places to choose from but since we already booked at the tara i am just deciding between these two. which one would you pick? also does anyone know if the construction mentioned is completed? <BR>thanks,& happy travels, <BR>heather

heather

topping

heather

still wondering.... anyone know?

Mia

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JoeE

We have just returned Sunday, March 30, from a seven-night stay at the Thistle Victoria on an American Airlines vacation package. We couldn't have been more pleased with it for our first stay in London. Access is so easy from the Gatwick Express. There are two short flights of stairs from the train station lobby up to the hotel lobby. One flight of about four steps and the second flight of about ten steps. The lobby and staircase are regal. The room was very nice. The towel warmer in the bathroom was convenient for drying our washables. While in our room, we weren't aware that we were near the train station. Many city busses depart from the plaza in front of the train station. The tube is just a few steps down from the station level. We didn't think the area was seedy at all, especially compared to the area around the Munich and Frankfurt train stations. There are several decent restaurants (including a pub) in Victoria Place two levels up from the train station. We would seriously consider staying there again.

David

Just like JoeE, we spent a week at the Thistle Victoria from March 22 - 29 as part of an American Airlines package deal. Great value for a perfectly located hotel with a very comfortable (albeit somewhat small) room. We found plenty of good eating/drinking spots nearby (especially a place called the Ebury Wine Bar on Ebury Street, a Spanish tapas restaurant on Elizabeth Street across from the Victoria Coach Station and the Cardinal Pub a couple of blocks from the hotel) and really enjoyed the place. Access to all parts of London, including access to connections at Paddington and Waterloo Stations for interesting day trips outside of London, was fast and easy by tube and city bus. The full English breakfast at the hotel (included in the package deal) held us until dinner time and was quite adequate. The only respect in which we felt this hotel was lacking concerned the dilapidated condition of the corridors leading from the elevators to the rooms. There the carpets and wallpaper were terribly worn and the draperies were dusty and torn (but this was not the case anywhere else in the hotel). Otherwise, as part of an outstandingly-priced package deal from American Airlines, this hotel was a great deal. I do not believe I would have been as similarly satisfied had I paid the going rack rate of GBP 120 to 180/night for this hotel. While we were pleased with its inclusion in our package, the Thistle Victoria is not, in my opinion, worthy of rates at those levels. Otherwise, I second JoeE's very high recommendation of the place.

wemr

Can't believe there is a hotel in London with Thistle and Victoria in its name. The Thistle plant is an icon of Scotland because it was a defense against the English and the Royal Family.

wemr

Can't believe there is a hotel in London with Thistle and Victoria in its name. The Thistle plant is an icon of Scotland because it was a defense against the English and the Royal Family.

cigalechanta

It's been several years that I stayed there , and loved it. I usually hate huge hotels. To me it's huge. But the staff was so friendly. the tube out the side door and one of my favorite shopping looking eating areas, sloane square.

linda_j

Judy, I was in London for a week in October travelling alone. I really did a lot of research on all the London hotel websites and ended up choosing Harrington Hall. It was perfect for me. The price was only 79 British pounds per night (for a 4 star hotel that was pretty good)and it is located in South Kensington which is a nice high-end residential area, very safe and is in walking distance to a lot of the main tourist attractions, shopping and restaurants. The tube station (Gloucester Rd.) is only one block from the hotel and from there you can get anywhere in the city. The hotel is medium sized and privately owned with a very helpful staff and good service. My room was large, very clean and because of it's location, very quiet. The decor is &quot;very English&quot; with a cozy lobby for tea and cocktails. I flew into Gatwick and took the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station and then opted for a short cab ride to the hotel since I was alone with a lot of luggage. But once I made my way to the tube that's all I used. I can't give you any info on the Thistle Victoria but I did find Victoria Station a bit hectic. The neighborhood around the Harrington was just beautiful. Have a wonderful trip.