3VH Virginia House, 31 Bloomsbury Way by City Living London

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about 3VH Virginia House? The name sounds way more complicated than it actually is – it’s basically this smart apartment-style setup right in the heart of Bloomsbury, and honestly, the location is pretty much perfect if you want to feel like you’re living in London rather than just visiting it.

I mean, Bloomsbury Way isn’t one of those streets tourists usually know by name, but it’s right where you want to be. You’re literally a two-minute walk from the British Museum (which gets insanely crowded around 11am, so hit it early), and you can actually walk to Covent Garden in about ten minutes if you cut through those little side streets. The Russell Square tube station is close enough that you don’t have to drag your luggage very far, but far enough that you’re not dealing with constant underground rumble. What I really loved was being able to walk to Borough Market on a Saturday morning – takes about 20 minutes through some gorgeous London neighborhoods that most hotel guests never see.

The building itself has that solid London feel without being stuffy about it. Check-in was refreshingly straightforward, and the staff actually seemed to know the neighborhood when I asked about decent pubs nearby (they pointed me toward The Lamb on Lamb’s Conduit Street, which turned out to be exactly the kind of proper London pub I was hoping for). The rooms are set up more like serviced apartments, so you’ve got proper space to spread out and a little kitchenette if you want to grab groceries from the Waitrose around the corner. Honestly, after a few days of hotel breakfast, being able to make your own coffee in the morning feels like luxury. The WiFi actually works properly – I know that sounds basic, but you’d be surprised how many places still struggle with that. Street noise isn’t really an issue either; Bloomsbury Way gets busy during the day but settles down nicely in the evenings.

What really sells this place for me is that 8.8 rating actually feels accurate, which is rare. It’s not trying to be fancy in that intimidating London hotel way, but everything just… works. The housekeeping is thorough, the building feels secure, and you get that sense of being properly located rather than stuck in some tourist bubble. I keep thinking about how I could walk to the British Library in five minutes (perfect if you’re into that sort of thing), but also stumble home from a West End show without paying surge pricing for an Uber. Plus, if you’re traveling in summer, Russell Square Gardens is right there for when you need a break from all the London intensity – it’s where the locals go with their lunch, not where tour groups gather.

Rooms

• Holiday Home with 2 × 1 double bed for 4 adults

Facilities