Park Plaza Victoria London review: an ideal bolthole to escape to after a busy day's sightseeing

Our verdict

Right next door to London Victoria train station, and within easy reach of a whole host of theatres, restaurants, museums and shops, Park Plaza Victoria London makes an ideal base for a trip to the UK's capital.

I visited on a baking hot weekend and the sleek, spacious and airy interior was an oasis in the middle of the busy city. Guests are greeted by friendly, professional staff, with a bright and friendly kids' check-in desk to make younger guests feel right at home.

Kids' check in desk at Park Plaza Victoria

Children are welcome in the relaxed Vic's Bar, where there's a kids' menu of crowd-pleasing favourites. In the kids' welcome pack, you'll find activities, stickers and pencils. To keep them entertained, there's a dedicated kids' area on the first floor of the hotel, with toys, board games, table football, table tennis and a snooker table.

If, like me, you worry about losing your room key while out and about, there's a Park Plaza app which contains a digital room key - as well as FAQs and room service.  

Tea and coffee-making facilities and the Park Plaza App

We stayed in an Executive Room with a king-size bed and a sofa bed - suitable for up to two adults and two children - which was spacious and light-filled, with views across central London. The hotel was well placed for our trip, and we took a short tube ride to Oxford Circus for shopping, the Novello Theatre in Covent Garden to see Mamma Mia! and to Waterloo to take in the South Bank.

Comfortable, clean and spacious, Park Plaza Victoria is an ideal bolthole to escape to after a busy day's sightseeing. With excellent transport links and a warm welcome, it's a great spot for a family hotel in London.

How we tested

I stayed at Park Plaza Victoria London for one night in July with my 14-year-old. We caught the train from the Sussex coast to London Victoria Station, which took about 90 minutes, then walked a couple of minutes to the hotel. We stayed in an Executive Room with a king-size bed and a sofa bed.

What are the rooms like?

I stayed in an Executive Room, which had large windows and a spacious bathroom with a bath and separate shower. There were tea- and coffee-making facilities, a TV, a desk, a wardrobe and a control panel for lights, air con, heating and, thrillingly, the curtains which encircle the whole room.

Our Executive Room

The room had a balcony, but the door to the balcony was locked, which was a little disappointing as the weather was glorious when we visited. To access the balcony I needed to call down to reception and sign a waiver, for health and safety reasons.

The room was big and had everything we needed, with lots of space to spread out and relax. The sofa bed was simple to fold out, and equipped with a comfy mattress.

I had to call down to reception to get bedding for the sofa bed, which was brought up quickly, and the bed was straightforward to make.

What are the food options?

The affogato was delicious

Specialising in Italian small plates, Tozi is the on-site restaurant we dined at during our stay. The food was absolutely delicious, and the tapas-style small plates meant we could try a few dishes each.

We opted for a selection of salads and seafood, each one beautifully presented, with expertly balanced flavours. I finished off my meal with an affogato made with rich, authentic gelato that was to die for.

Tozi Restaurant

While Tozi suited my foodie 14-year-old and I down to the ground, those looking for more familiar fare should head to Vic's Bar, which is right next to the hotel's lobby and serves a wide selection of gastropub favourites, as well as a kids' menu.

Vic's Bar

Breakfast is served buffet-style, with hot and cold options to suit every taste. Whether you like a full English, a fully-loaded yoghurt bowl or continental pastries, there'll be something for even the fussiest eaters.

Are there activities on offer?

Park Plaza Victoria's first-floor children's area

The first-floor children's area has toys, board games, table football, table tennis and snooker to cater to kids big and small while staying at Park Plaza. However, the hotel really shines as a base for exploring London, so there isn't a huge amount for kids to do on-site - but enough to keep them entertained while you unwind.

For adults, there's a fitness and wellness centre with free weights, resistance machines, cardiovascular equipment, a sauna and steam room.

What is there to do nearby?

The Park Plaza's location is hard to beat. It's literally next door to Victoria train station, which is the main hub for trains to and from Kent and Sussex. You can catch the tube from Victoria station, too, with many of London's most famous attractions just a few stops away.

Both Buckingham Palace and St James's Park - with its excellent playground and resident pelicans - are about a 15-minute walk away, and Belgravia's posh boutiques and bars can be reached in less than 20 minutes on foot.

Museums such as the Victoria & Albert, Science Museum and Natural History Museum are walking distance (although you might want to catch the tube if you have young kids in tow). Or hop on and off one of the famous open-top red buses to pack as much history and culture into your stay as possible.

A view of London from Park Plaza Victoria London

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the places and products Mumsnet users swear by, with a particular focus on home essentials, laundry and fans.

Covering multiple locations in the south of England, Poppy also reviews family-friendly hotels and days out, including Moonfleet Manor, Bedruthan Hotel & Spa and New Park Manor.