Strand Palace

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about the Strand Palace? It’s this grand old dame sitting right in the thick of everything on the Strand, but somehow it doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard to impress you. I mean, the lobby’s got that classic London hotel vibe – marble and chandeliers and all that – but there’s something refreshingly unpretentious about the whole place.

The location is honestly pretty brilliant if you actually want to experience London rather than just hide in your hotel. You’re literally a two-minute walk from Covent Garden (which gets crazy busy around 11am, so hit it early), and the Somerset House is right there if you’re into that sort of cultural stuff. What I really love is that you can walk to the Thames in about thirty seconds, and there’s this lovely stretch along the Embankment that most tourists miss because they’re all rushing toward the London Eye. The Aldwych is just around the corner too, so you’ve got proper theaters within stumbling distance – actually useful if you’re planning a night out.

Here’s the thing about staying here though – the rooms are solid four-star standard, nothing fancy but everything works properly, which honestly can’t be said for every London hotel in this price range. The beds are actually comfortable (I’m picky about this), and the bathrooms are recently updated without being sterile. You’ll hear some street noise if you’re facing the Strand – it’s a proper busy road with buses running till late – but ask for a room facing the courtyard if you’re a light sleeper. The staff seem to know what they’re doing, check-in was smooth even when I arrived during what looked like a conference group invasion. And speaking of practical stuff – there’s no hotel parking, but honestly you don’t want a car in this part of London anyway. The Charing Cross station is a five-minute walk if you need to get anywhere quickly.

What really sells me on this place is that it feels like a proper London hotel without the eye-watering prices of some of the fancier spots in Mayfair. You’re paying for the location and decent service, not for a rooftop pool or whatever. The restaurant downstairs is fine – nothing spectacular but they do a solid English breakfast, and there’s a bar that’s actually pleasant for an evening drink without feeling like you’re in a tourist trap. Plus, and this matters more than you’d think, the wifi actually works throughout the building, even in the lifts. Small thing, but when you’re trying to figure out your day or book dinner reservations, it makes a difference.

Rooms

• Classic Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Classic Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe King Room with 1 extra-large double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe Double Studio with 1 double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe King Studio with 1 extra-large double bed and 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Superior Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Superior Double Room with 1 double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Superior Twin Room with 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child
• Superior King Room with 1 extra-large double bed and 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child

Facilities