Good value
Newly refurbished rooms and dining area
Good location very close to Victoria Station
Cozy, old-world feel in main building with retained architectural features
Less of a generic vibe compared to other chain hotels
Fresh, clean rooms with a contemporary look
Free Wi-Fi
Some complaints of noise and vibrations from trains at Victoria station
Not much in the way of amenities
This is a surprisingly pleasant chain hotel with a fair amount of character, especially in the main building: Preserved architecture and cultural artwork lend a cozy, old-world feel. Refurbished rooms make for a comfortable, pleasant vibe, while the hotel’s close proximity to Victoria Station makes for convenient traveling.
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Scene
A mixture of old and new, with a surprising amount of character
Unlike many other chain hotels that strip away nearly all traces of period character, Comfort Inn Buckingham Palace Road has retained a good amount of it, which makes for a distinctive, old-world look in the main building. Oil canvas prints in antique gold frames, a beautiful arched stairway, and a tasteful brick red-and-charcoal color scheme in the main hallway add a unique charm not commonly found in chain hotels.The lobby and adjoining lounge area unfortunately exude less character: Grass green walls paired with light wood paneling and fake marble countertops gives the space a generic, chain-like look. The new annex building, in contrast, has a more modern feel.
Location
On a fairly quiet main road that is on the other side of Victoria station
The hotel’s close proximity to Victoria station can be a bane as well as a boon for light sleepers, with some guests disturbed by the noise and vibrations from passing trains. The property is located on the far end of Victoria station however, which means the area is far quieter than the other side when it comes to road traffic. It’s a largely residential area with a good handful of neighboring budget hotels - there are plenty of dining options within the immediate surrounds of Victoria station, but for an experience with more character, try venturing elsewhere.
Rooms
Fresh and clean in shades of contemporary red
Probably the most surprising aspect of this hotel is how pleasant and un-chainlike the rooms feel - more than half the rooms are located in the newly refurbished annex and have been updated with contemporary red textiles, dark leather headboards, and stripy red carpet that looks refreshingly modern. Bathrooms are clean, light, and pleasant, with a beautiful striped gray tiling. In the main old building, rooms have been given a soft refurbishment - despite the mismatching, occasionally baffling wall prints (a portrait of a colonial soldier situated next to a model blowing kisses?) and dated headboards, rooms are still pleasant and comfortable.
Features
Large dining space with a contemporary feel, but not much else
There is little in the way of features at this hotel, outside of a dining area where a continental breakfast is served daily for a fee. This space (along with the lobby) has the least amount of character in the hotel, but still feels contemporary with a good amount of natural light. Business-friendly amenities include free Wi-Fi, a computer for guest use, and a meeting room.
