You know what struck me first about The Grand at Trafalgar Square? It’s actually *on* Northumberland Avenue, not right on the square itself – but honestly, that’s better. You get all the energy of being in the thick of Westminster without tour groups clustering around your front door at 7 AM. I mean, you’re literally a two-minute walk from Trafalgar Square, and the Embankment tube station is right there, but the hotel sits on this slightly quieter stretch that feels more… I don’t know, sophisticated? The building itself has this proper London grandeur – you can tell it’s seen some history, but they’ve done the renovations right. Not too shiny, not trying too hard.
What really gets me about this place is how it actually feels like London, if that makes sense. The lobby has these deep leather chairs where you’ll see a mix of business types grabbing coffee before meetings in Whitehall and tourists plotting their day over maps. The staff genuinely seem to know the neighborhood – I asked about getting to Borough Market and got this whole insider route avoiding the weekend crowds. The rooms are what you’d expect from a solid four-star – nothing revolutionary, but the beds are properly comfortable and the windows actually open (which is rarer than it should be in London hotels). Some rooms face the avenue so there’s a bit of street noise, but it’s that low London hum rather than anything jarring. The bathrooms are nicely updated without being sterile, and the water pressure is reliably good – honestly, after a day walking around Westminster, that matters more than fancy toiletries.
Here’s the thing though – this location is absolutely brilliant for actually exploring London beyond the tourist circuit. You’re walking distance to the river, obviously, but you’re also perfectly positioned to duck into those tiny pubs tucked around Whitehall or grab lunch at Gabriel’s Wharf when you want to escape the crowds. The 8.1 rating feels about right; it’s not trying to be the Savoy, but it delivers exactly what it promises without any unpleasant surprises. Check-in was smooth, the elevators work (you’d be surprised how often that’s an issue in older London buildings), and there’s something reassuring about staying somewhere that feels established rather than trendy. I’d definitely stay here again, especially if I wanted to be central but not completely overwhelmed by the chaos of Leicester Square or Oxford Street. It’s got that sweet spot quality – nice enough to feel like a treat, but unpretentious enough that you’re comfortable wandering back in your walking shoes after a long day exploring the city.