The Portico Hotel

Hotel Description

You know what struck me first about The Portico Hotel? It’s actually tucked away on this quiet residential street in Pimlico that most tourists completely miss – St. Georges Drive runs parallel to the chaos of Victoria Station, but honestly, you’d never know it. I mean, you’re literally a three-minute walk from one of London’s busiest transport hubs, yet the street feels almost village-like with its white Georgian terraces. The hotel itself sits in what looks like a converted Victorian townhouse, and there’s something refreshing about the understated entrance – no flashy doorman or over-the-top lobby trying too hard to impress.

The rooms are… well, they’re London-sized, which means compact but cleverly designed. What I appreciated most was the attention to actual comfort rather than Instagram-worthy nonsense. The beds are genuinely good (not just piled high with decorative pillows you have to move), and the bathrooms, while small, have proper water pressure – something you can’t take for granted in older London buildings. The neighborhood vibe really grows on you too. There’s this brilliant little gastropub called The Thomas Cubitt just around the corner that locals actually drink at, and if you walk five minutes toward Belgrave Road, you’ll hit some of the best authentic curry houses in central London. The area gets properly quiet after 9 PM, which is gold if you’re dealing with jet lag or just want to actually sleep.

Here’s the thing though – this isn’t a place that’s going to wow you with fancy amenities or make you feel like royalty. The 7.9 rating feels about right because it delivers solidly on the basics without any major surprises, good or bad. Staff are helpful without being overly chatty, check-in is smooth, and they clearly know their local area well (ask them about the best route to avoid the Victoria Station crowds). What really works is the location – you can walk to Westminster in fifteen minutes, Sloane Square in ten, and there’s a direct bus route down to Chelsea that runs constantly. Parking is street parking only, so factor that in if you’re driving, but honestly, you probably won’t need a car from here. It’s one of those hotels that just makes sense for London – not trying to be something it’s not, reasonably priced for the area, and positioned where you can actually experience the city like someone who lives here rather than just ticking off tourist boxes.

Rooms

• Deluxe Single Room with 1 single bed for 1 adult
• Deluxe Double Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe Twin Room with 2 single beds for 2 adults, 1 child
• Deluxe Triple Room with 1 single bed and 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Deluxe Quadruple Room with 2 single beds and 1 extra-large double bed for 4 adults, 3 children
• Double Room with Extra Bed with 1 single bed and 1 double bed for 2 adults, 1 child

Facilities