The Griffin Belle Hotel Vauxhall

This pub used to be great, but now the decor looks like a florist crossed with an American diner. I ordered “chicken tenders” for lunch and got a tiny breaded fillet cut into thin strips. Maybe they were running low on chicken and improvised, excuse the pun. Not good.

We’d definitely come back. The room was clean and the bed was comfortable, and the staff made us feel welcome with how attentive and helpful they were. There’s plenty to eat in the characterful bar and restaurant, with TVs showing sports too. Handy if you’re visiting the US embassy, which is less than a 10 minute walk away.

The staff were really helpful, even after we’d checked out: I left my AirPods in the room and they mailed them back without charging me. We’d stayed the night before an embassy visit, left our bags there while we went to an 8am appointment, then returned for breakfast at 10. The room was nice and everyone was friendly. Thanks.

Vauxhall station is very convenient, and the tube connections to Victoria, Euston, St Pancras and Kings Cross are up to 25 minutes away. I slept well too. Although there’s a school opposite, it was surprisingly quiet, helped by the pub closing at 11pm. The atmosphere was really positive and breakfast had decent choices. A hidden gem!