The July London Victoria

The rooms are really comfortable and work well for travelling with children. There’s a sink and an oven, which meant I could wash all the baby bottles before our long flight. We were in London to meet family for the first time, since we live abroad, and our baby was three months old. The cot was a problem. There didn’t seem to be a mattress, so the support bars were noticeable. They brought extra bedding to pad it out, and the lovely housekeeper did her best to make it safe and comfortable. She was very kind. My baby can sleep on anything, but some babies are more sensitive, and a decent cot mattress costs very little. There was a fire alarm at 1am. I know it wasn’t the staff’s fault, but it was frightening not knowing what was happening while trying to get outside with a baby. The baby slept through it, but I struggled to get back to sleep. I couldn’t take my key card while carrying the baby, so I ended up locked out in my pyjamas, panicked. It turned out to be a false alarm, but you never know at the time. I think a small apology to guests might have helped. I also noticed there were facilities like a gym that nobody had told me about.

The breakfast costs £24, which is a lot, but I thought it was worth it for the quality of the ingredients and the peaceful dining room. It’s a calm little haven right in the city. The staff were exceptionally welcoming, and there’s a comfortable lounge where you can chat or work on a laptop, plus an honesty bar for residents. Guests also get a voucher for a free drink at the bar. The interiors are beautiful, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the bed linen and pillows were just right.

We were stunned by how spacious and nice the room was. It was spotless and very quiet, and the bed was comfortable. The website photos really don’t show how good the place looks in person. I liked having a dining table, dishwasher and kitchen facilities available, even though we didn’t use them. The bathroom was clean and roomy, with shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. My only small gripe was that there was no shower gel in the shower. Maybe that was just an oversight, since we had two shampoo bottles. I booked at the last minute for the London Marathon, looking for somewhere affordable in Victoria. The pictures of The July looked nice, but arriving with my fiancée was a real surprise. The reception and The Idler were immaculate, and the decor gave the hotel a fancy, prestigious feel. The man at the front desk helped me with our bags and made a fantastic first impression. I didn’t catch his name, but I hope he gets the compliments he deserves. He’s a real asset to the hotel. For London, the price felt fair. It costs more than a Premier Inn or Travelodge, but I’d say it’s well worth it. The July was a breath of fresh air, and if I stay in London again, it’ll be the first place I look. I’d recommend it to anyone.

We’re in our mid-70s, travel often, and know London well. In early May we stayed for one night between Paris and our flight home from Heathrow. Our usual hotel was full, so I looked around and came across the July. The location and amenities seemed right, and the price was reasonable. I expected it to be nice, but it was better than that. We love Pimlico. Victoria station is a 4 minute walk away, and Wilton Road is about 4-8 minutes on foot, with a Sainsbury grocery store, a famous fish and chips shop, one of the UK ‘s best cheese shops, half a dozen pubs and even more restaurants of all kinds. The staff really clinched it for us. They were kind, helpful, personable and professional. The hotel was bright, spacious, clean and well furnished. The curtains were great, and the sound dampening windows open, too. There’s a generous fridge and a surprisingly useful kitchen with a multi-burner hob, small oven and dishwasher. The shower was large and the towels were nice. The lobby and restaurant are well appointed, and breakfast came with perfectly poached eggs. Cheers to everyone. The July is for all seasons!