I’ll be honest – when I first walked up to The Royal Horseguards, I thought I was approaching some sort of government building. Which, well, makes perfect sense given where it sits. This place is literally sandwiched between Whitehall and the Thames Embankment, so you’re basically staying in the heart of political London whether you planned on it or not.
The location is pretty wild when you think about it. You can walk out the front door and you’re essentially staring at the entrance to Downing Street (though good luck getting close to that black door). Turn the other way and you’ve got the London Eye right across the river – I mean, you can see it perfectly from some of the Thames-facing rooms, which honestly makes the slightly higher room rate worth it. The building itself has this grand Victorian thing going on, all red brick and ornate details, but inside it’s been updated enough that you’re not dealing with ancient plumbing or quirky electrical issues.
What really gets me about this hotel is how it manages to feel both impressive and actually livable. The lobby has these gorgeous high ceilings and marble columns – very “look at me, I’m staying somewhere fancy” – but the staff treats you like a regular person, not like they’re doing you a favor. Check-in was smooth, even during what seemed like a busy period (I was there in September when London gets crazy with tourists). The rooms are solid four-star quality without trying too hard. Mine had this deep blue color scheme that felt sophisticated without being stuffy, and the bed was actually comfortable, not just expensive-looking. You know what I appreciated? Proper blackout curtains, because the streetlights around Westminster don’t exactly encourage deep sleep.
Now, here’s the thing about staying in this area – you’re going to hear some city noise. It’s Westminster, not a countryside retreat. But I found it more energizing than annoying, especially when you realize you can walk to Westminster Bridge in about three minutes, or duck into St. James’s Park when you need a break from all the urban intensity. The hotel restaurant (One Twenty One Two) is actually pretty good if you don’t feel like venturing out, though I’d recommend exploring the area since you’ve got some excellent pubs within walking distance. The Red Lion on Parliament Street is literally around the corner and has been serving politicians and civil servants for decades.
Storage and practical stuff worked well – decent closet space, reliable wifi, and they sorted out a late checkout without any drama. The concierge knew their stuff too, gave me solid recommendations that felt personal rather than just the standard tourist checklist. Is it perfect? Well, parking is basically non-existent unless you want to pay London hotel parking rates (which, trust me, you don’t), but you’re so well-connected by tube and bus that having a car would be more headache than help anyway. Westminster station is maybe a five-minute walk.
Bottom line – if you want to be right in the thick of London’s political and historical center without sacrificing comfort, this place delivers. That 8.2 rating feels about right; it’s genuinely good at what it does without any major surprises, good or bad.