Hi, I've booked a room in Bayswater (Vancouver Hotel) with a kitchenette for the beginning of my trip with a friend, and for last part of my trip to London but am now wondering if I should book the last portion of the trip at either the Artist Residence or Resident Victoria . My husband is joining me for 6 nights and I'm thinking it would be better to be a little closer for walking distance to first time London visit sights than Baywater for a little change. We prefer a quiet area because we tend to go to bed a little earlier and wake up earlier. I like to have yogurt/fruit breakfast in room and we always seem to need more cold water with all the walking. I'm a little disappointed that the Artist Residence uses the fridge as a mini bar but really like the rooms. I've noticed that the Resident hotel has a kitchenette and is in the same general area. The rooms seem nice but am wondering if anyone has stayed there. Do the rooms have enough space and light? The two places are obviously different but similar in price range.
Posted by
Duluth, MN🌲
11307 posts
I stayed there with my 2 grandkids in late March of 2025, Lisa, and loved it (we had a triple room). Here's a clip from my trip report that specifically details the hotel. Also, I thought the rooms were very well lit, and never found it too dark.
THE RESIDENT VICTORIA: I cannot say enough nice things about this hotel. I first heard about it from Frank II, and found it intriguing. At that time (August 2024), they were having a sale, so I booked it, paying around £215 per night for a room with 3 beds. This included the membership discount of 15% off the total price (and it's free to become a member). We arrived around 10 am so we couldn’t check in yet, but were able to drop off our luggage. And because I was a member, I could check in early at 1 pm. I was very happy to hear this! Members can also check out a bit later as well; 12 noon instead of 11 am. The staff took our luggage, checked us in, and later when we came back, we found out that the luggage was already been placed in our room. Such a nice service.
I found a complimentary bottle of wine in the room, along with snacks for the kids, plus a personal handwritten note from the hotel staff welcoming us. The room was spotlessly clean with a sink, dishes, microwave, a Nespresso coffee maker, an electric water heater, and a small fridge, with coffee and tea available.
Also each evening, the hotel hosted a social hour for guests between 6-7pm, with complimentary wine and snacks. I really enjoyed this; not just because I met some interesting people (which I did), but it gave me a bit of a break from the kids.
The location was one of the best things about this place. It was a 7-8 minute walk to Victoria Station and/or Victoria Coach Station, a 5 minute walk to the newer Victoria Underground Station (Cardinal Place), which serves 3 lines (District, Circle and Victoria), and close to many sights (Buckingham Palace was only a few blocks away). More importantly, there were loads of restaurants, cafes, take-away places and groceries within a 5 minute walk, yet the hotel itself sits on a quiet side street with barely any noise.
One caveat is that they do not offer breakfast, but honestly, I didn’t miss it. My grandkids loved going to nearby Gail's every morning for their pain au chocolat or cheese croissant. Plus there was Pret a Manger for take-away, and Wagamama and Bill's for other meals and the kitchenette really helped with this. They especially loved finding the Amorino Gelato place a few blocks away. There were numerous shopping options nearby, and we were minutes away from Westminster Abbey and many other historic sites. I can't say enough good things about this hotel and this location, and will definitely stay here again.
Posted by
Denver
912 posts
I have not stayed at either place, but I have another place that I love that I've stayed at several times near Victoria Station, possibly above your intended price range (I stayed in a tiny single room that I loved). I really like that part of London (technically Chelsea, I think), and it's within a (longish) walking distance from the V&A Museum, Leighton House, Sambourne House, and Hyde Park. And close to Kensington Park and Buckingham Palace. I enjoyed taking a morning run in Hyde Park, thinking about all of the society people who would show off on Rotten Row. But this area (London is a big city) is not close to other things. Look at a map and put a pin on what things you want to see.
The other part of London that we have stayed in is Bloomsbury, which to me means an area around the British Museum, and north of Covent Garden. From there, we walk to Covent Garden and down to the National Gallery. Covent Garden is very busy and noisy, but Bloomsbury is nice and quiet. So depending on your interests of places to visit, you might want to look into that part of the city.
We're big walkers, so things that I / me and my spouse walk to might not be everyone's choice, in terms of distance.
Posted by
Freedonia
18530 posts
As the person who told Mardee about the Resident Victoria, let me add a couple of things.
The kitchenette sink in the room has a built in Brita water filter. There is also a Waitrose supermarket one block from the hotel where you can buy water, yogurt, fruit and whatever else you might want.
If that's not enough, there is usually fruit infused water in the lobby. You just help yourself. You can also tell them ahead of time and they will have cold bottles of water waiting for you in the fridge (At an extra charge.)