The Trafalgar St. James, London Curio collection by Hilton

Hotel Description

You know that moment when you walk into a hotel lobby and immediately think “okay, this is going to be good”? That’s exactly what happened when I first stepped into The Trafalgar St. James. I mean, the location alone is pretty ridiculous – you’re literally overlooking Trafalgar Square from some of the rooms, and I’m talking about proper views of Nelson’s Column, not some weird side angle. The building itself has this gorgeous Georgian facade that somehow manages to feel both grand and welcoming at the same time.

What really struck me about this place is how they’ve nailed that sweet spot between fancy London hotel and actually livable space. The rooms are honestly beautiful – think rich fabrics and marble bathrooms that make you feel a bit posh, but without that stuffy “don’t touch anything” vibe you get at some five-star places. The beds are properly comfortable too, which matters more than people admit when you’re dealing with jet lag or after walking around London all day. And here’s something I didn’t expect – the soundproofing is actually excellent. I was worried about being right on Trafalgar Square with all the tourists and traffic, but once you’re inside, it’s surprisingly peaceful.

The staff genuinely seem to know what they’re doing, which isn’t always a given even at expensive hotels. Check-in was smooth, and they had good recommendations for dinner spots that weren’t just the obvious tourist traps (though honestly, being this central, you’re spoiled for choice anyway). You’re a two-minute walk from the National Gallery, practically next door to some brilliant pubs down Whitehall, and the Tube connections from Charing Cross are fantastic – you can be in Covent Garden in five minutes or hop on the Northern line to pretty much anywhere. What I really appreciated is that despite being in the absolute heart of tourist London, it doesn’t feel chaotic or overwhelmed. Maybe it’s because the hotel sits slightly back from the main square, or maybe it’s just well-managed, but there’s this calm energy that makes it feel like a proper retreat. The restaurant is solid too – I had dinner there one night when I couldn’t be bothered to venture out, and it was much better than typical hotel food. Look, it’s not cheap, but for the location and quality, it actually feels like decent value for London. If you want to be in the center of everything without compromising on comfort, this place delivers.

Rooms

• Trafalgar Queen Room with 1 large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• St James King Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Trafalgar King Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child
• Nelson Double Queen Room with 2 large double beds for 4 adults, 3 children
• King Family Room with 1 extra-large double bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Trafalgar Suite with 1 sofa bed for 3 adults, 2 children
• Studio Suite for 2 adults, 1 child
• King Room with View with 1 extra-large double bed for 2 adults, 1 child

Facilities