Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Resident Victoria when I first walked up to 10 Palace Place – it’s tucked away on this quiet street that feels almost residential, which I guess is the point given the name. But the moment you step inside, you get it. This isn’t trying to be one of those grand London hotels with marble everywhere and doormen in top hats. Instead, it’s got this really thoughtful, almost apartment-like vibe that makes you feel like you’re staying at a well-traveled friend’s place rather than just another hotel room.
The location is actually brilliant in a way that’s not immediately obvious. Sure, you’re a two-minute walk from Victoria Station – which, let’s be honest, isn’t London’s prettiest transport hub – but here’s what the typical hotel descriptions don’t tell you. You’re also right around the corner from some genuinely lovely spots that most tourists never find. There’s this great little wine bar on Warwick Way that the concierge mentioned, and honestly, the whole Pimlico area has this village-y feel once you get away from the main drags. Plus, and this matters more than you’d think, it’s actually quiet at night. I mean, you’re in central London so there’s still the occasional siren, but Palace Place itself is peaceful enough that you can sleep with the windows cracked open.
What really got me was the attention to small things that actually matter when you’re traveling. The lighting in the rooms isn’t that harsh hotel fluorescent nonsense – it’s warm and layered, so you can actually relax in the evening without feeling like you’re in an office. The shower pressure is proper strong (you know how hit-or-miss that can be in London), and there are enough outlets positioned where you actually need them. The staff seems to get that travelers want genuine recommendations, not just the standard tourist traps. When I asked about breakfast spots, the guy at reception sent me to this cafe about five minutes away where locals actually go – not some overpriced hotel restaurant with mediocre eggs benedict. Check-in was smooth too, no standing around waiting while they find your reservation or explain seventeen different room policies. The whole experience just felt… effortless, I suppose. It’s the kind of place where a 9 rating makes sense because while it’s not flashy or Instagram-perfect, everything just works the way it should, which is rarer than you’d think in London hotels.