Tophams Hotel

The main spaces are charming, and the hotel seems to have potential, but for what we paid I’d probably choose somewhere else next time. We spent six nights in a room so small we couldn’t open our suitcases fully. We had to crawl over them to reach the bed or bathroom, and the bed, though comfortable, was small for two adults. A hole in the bathroom window frame let bugs in now and then, and the shower temperature could suddenly jump from fine to scalding. The bathroom itself was otherwise fine. The biggest hassle was the broken elevator. We were told at check-in it was out of service for repairs, which wouldn’t usually be a major problem for us, but our room was on the fourth floor in the farthest corner. The stairs meant climbing a flight, crossing the whole floor, then finding the next flight. A few employees kindly carried my 50-pound checked bag up and down, but my husband had to manage our other luggage on the narrow stairs and halls. The pre-arrival email had lots of information, and should have mentioned the elevator so guests could prepare. We did like how close the hotel is to Victoria station, with plenty nearby and lots within walking distance. All the staff were friendly and happy to help.

The room had everything we needed for a comfortable stay: two single beds and a seating area upstairs, and a double bed, tea and coffee facilities, a fridge, and a bathroom downstairs with a separate bath and shower. There were toiletries, TVs on both levels, an iron and ironing board, a hairdryer, and free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel. A few spots looked tired, with scuffs on the walls and paint worn off the handrail. We had a lovely night at The Tophams Hotel. Check-in was straightforward, and since we arrived early they securely stored our bags until the room was ready. We stayed in a Deluxe Twin Room over two floors. The location was excellent for Victoria Station, about a ten-minute walk away. We also walked to and from the theatre, around 40 minutes each way, and passed Buckingham Palace, which was a nice bonus.

The staff were excellent, and it was helpful to have somewhere to store our luggage. We slept really well because the bed was fantastic. Our tucked-away room was small, and it was difficult getting our suitcases down to it. We also found the room very hot and couldn’t really cool it down, as we weren’t used to the heat.

The room temperature was difficult to manage, and because the window was locked shut I couldn’t get fresh air. I have health issues that make sleep difficult, so that was disappointing. The toilet cistern also ran constantly and made noise, though closing the door kept it quiet enough not to disturb us. The breakfast was very poor. There were no hot options unless you ordered from the menu and paid extra, not even bacon or scrambled eggs. The cheeses, meats, and breads weren’t very good either. For all that, it felt more like a three-star stay than a four-star one. The building is gorgeous, the staff are friendly, the bed was extremely comfortable, and the shower was unusually good. The location is superb and handy for a night at the Apollo Theatre. It was decent enough overall, but I’m not sure I’d return if I found another four-star hotel nearby at a similar price.