Riverside Balcony Apartments, 10 minutes from Oxford Circus

Hotel Description

Okay, so first things first – don’t let the name fool you. These aren’t your typical cramped London apartments, and honestly, the riverside part isn’t just marketing fluff. I mean, you’re literally on the Thames at Vauxhall, which gives you this surprisingly peaceful vibe despite being right in the thick of things. The balconies actually face the water (well, most of them do), and there’s something pretty magical about having your morning coffee while watching the river buses chug past toward Westminster.

The location is honestly brilliant once you figure out the transport links. Vauxhall station is maybe a three-minute walk – and I’m talking about the big interchange where you’ve got the Victoria line, National Rail, and those new Northern line extensions. You can genuinely be at Oxford Circus in about 12 minutes door-to-door, which is faster than a lot of places that claim to be “central.” The walk to the station takes you past the MI6 building (you know, the one from James Bond), which never gets old if I’m being honest. There’s also this decent Tesco Express right there for late-night snack runs, plus a surprisingly good Lebanese place called Maroush that stays open late.

What really sets this place apart is the space – these apartments actually feel like homes rather than hotel rooms. The kitchens are properly equipped (not just a kettle and mini-fridge situation), which means you can cook actual meals if you want to save money or just fancy staying in. The WiFi is solid throughout, which matters if you’re working remotely. One thing to note though – the building can get a bit echoey in the corridors, especially when people are dragging suitcases late at night. It’s not terrible, but light sleepers might want to pack earplugs just in case.

The staff here actually seem to care, which sounds basic but you’d be surprised how rare that is in London accommodation. Check-in was smooth, and when our heating played up one evening, someone was up to fix it within an hour. The cleaning between stays is thorough – I’ve stayed here twice now and both times everything felt properly fresh, not just surface-level tidy.

You’re also perfectly positioned for exploring South London, which most tourists completely miss. Borough Market is a quick bus ride away, and the walk along the Thames path toward Tate Modern is genuinely lovely, especially in the evening when the city lights start reflecting on the water. If you fancy a proper night out, you’ve got easy access to both the West End and the more interesting spots in Brixton or Clapham.

Look, this isn’t the cheapest option in London, but for what you get – the space, the location, the actual balcony with river views – it feels like proper value. Especially if you’re staying more than a couple of nights and want somewhere that feels less like a hotel and more like you’re actually living in London for a bit.

Rooms

• One-Bedroom Apartment with 1 double bed, 1 futon bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 2 children
• Apartment with Lake View with 1 double bed, 1 futon bed and 1 sofa bed for 4 adults, 2 children
• Two-Bedroom Apartment with 2 × 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 5 adults, 4 children

Facilities