Park Plaza Victoria London

The Park Plaza Victoria London is first and foremost a business hotel, and the approach to decor reflects that -- it's smart and modern, but it lacks distinctive character. The large, bright, contemporary lobby has floor-to-ceiling windows on several sides, and rotating doors at the entrance, which give the eight-story structure the look of an office block. But modern prints on the walls and the neutral carpets and paneled hallways soften the look somewhat, and the airy Lobby Lounge bar is downright cozy, with a long, attractive bar and a mix of brown leather-backed chairs and cream-colored stools. 

The Park Plaza’s convenient location, in South London’s Victoria, is one of its best selling points, with plenty of shops and offices nearby. The hotel is a three-minute walk to Victoria Station, which connects to points across the city via the Underground or rail. Victoria Coach Station (for intercity buses) is around an eight-minute walk from the hotel. Buckingham Palace is a 10- to 15-minute walk from the hotel, and Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament are a five-minute drive or 11-minute tube ride away. Trafalgar Square and the London Eye are both within a seven-minute drive, or less than 20 minutes away by public transportation. Piccadilly Circus is a nine-minute drive or tube ride and, for shopping, Knightsbridge and Oxford Street are both a 14-minute drive or 11-minute tube journey away. Bond Street is a 10-minute drive from the hotel, or around 15 minutes away by tube. It’s about a half-hour drive to Heathrow Airport, or about 50 minutes away by train; Gatwick Airport is around an hour’s drive or a 35-minute trip on public transportation, while London City Airport is a half-hour away by car, or around 40 minutes via public transportation.

The 299 rooms at the Park Plaza Victoria London are relatively spacious, but decor is nowhere near as elegant as in the public areas. Standard Double Rooms have small beds with dark-wood headboards and old-fashioned brown-dotted bedspreads. Bedside tables and large glass-topped desks are also in dark wood, but there’s a mismatch between dated brown-patterned carpeting and the more attractive black floor tiling. The small windows can at least be opened, and there’s lots of storage space. All-white-tile bathrooms have shower/tub combos with hand-held showerheads, and separate shower stalls with fixed showerheads, and glass vanities and stainless-steel sinks, but they look like what might be found in the locker rooms of public swimming pools. They won't exactly make guests feel pampered, but the individually wrapped Elemis toiletries are a nice touch.

All rooms come with large flat-screen interactive TVs, safes, irons and ironing boards, hairdryers, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and well-stocked minibars. They also have international power sockets and free Wi-Fi. Standard rooms lack balconies, but the hotel has a number of self-contained Studios and One- and Two-Bedroom Apartments with separate living areas and full kitchens -- some have rooftop terraces. All rooms have air-conditioning, but guests have complained that it's faulty and have reported other problems with maintenance and housekeeping. Some rooms can be noisy.

The Park Plaza Victoria packs a decent amount of amenities -- there's a fairly spacious and well-maintained gym with a variety of cardio equipment, weight-lifting machines, and free weights, along with a sauna and steam room, with massages and other spa treatments available. The breakfast buffet offers a good variety, but it’s not included in all room rates. The Tozi Italian restaurant, serves lunch and dinner. The Lobby Lounge bar and restaurant is open throughout the day -- and stays open late -- and it can get busy. Room service includes a small selection of dishes that can be ordered 24/7. Breakfast, snacks, and drinks are also available in the Executive Lounge for an additional fee, along with free newspapers, though the lounge isn’t open every day. Nor is the business center, which offers a full range of office services; basic Internet access and printers are also available in the lobby. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and a vast number of meeting and function rooms can accommodate up to 750 people. On-site parking is available for a fee.