I’ve been to London in the past, but we have usually staynear Victoria Station. This trip, I may be able to stay at the Victory Services Club for military families near Marble Arch.
Can folks on this site provide feedback or opinions about the Marble Arch location or the Victory Services Club accommodation?
Also - Someone told me about Ibis Earls Court - good? Bad?
I don't know anything about the accommodation (except it has very good reviews on Google), but the location is good. You're near a busy intersection, but the Club itself is on a small street that wouldn't seem to have a lot of through traffic. I stayed not far from there in Sussex Gardens and was very pleased. In addition to the Marble Arch tube station, there are several bus routes that come through that area, so you'd be well connected. I think it would be very interesting to stay in a place that's dedicated to military members and veterans, though I am neither. Unique is the word that come to mind. Enjoy your stay, wherever you choose.
I now nothing about the Club but I am fairly familiar with the Marble Arch area.
Marble Arch has traditionally been the "low" rent end of Oxford Street, based on the storefronts. The area near the Arch where the underpasses cross Oxford Street and the buses go around has in recent years been a tent city for Roma. The police would clear it out and a few days later it would be back.
I've not been through the area for a couple of years so perhaps things have changed - maybe somebody has newer information.
Turn left and you're in Mayfair. Cross the road and you are at Speakers Corner in Hyde Park. Plenty of Park Lane and Oxford Street buses, and a Central Line (only) tube station. If step free access is important to you be aware almost none of the Central Line stations are step free.
Because of the crowds of tourists and shoppers on Oxford Street, be alert and take good pickpocket precautions.
The Marble Arch neighbourhood doesn’t sound too appealing from this reply, but the Victory Services Club itself does appeal to me.
Hi Nigel! I think the Roma encampments are a thing of the (admittedly pretty recent) past now. :-)
For very annoying personal reasons I’ve been in and around Marble Arch a lot over the last week, mostly changing buses, but also walking around, and it’s not bad these days. Lots of tourists, fewer closed shop fronts than I recall from even last year.
OP - I wouldn’t be concerned about staying in the area. Like Nigel says, it is super convenient and close to lots of stuff. And you can get a bus to pretty much anywhere - Marble Arch is a huge interchange.
We have stayed near Victoria station a few times and enjoyed the location.
This visit I thought a different location might be an interesting change. I was thinking Soho, Covent Garden, Seven Dials areas.
I’m not as keen on Marble Arch now, so maybe sticking with Victoria Station area or possibly Earls Court, South Kensington is a better idea? We are 2 adults with a 3rd adult joining us later.
I would not be worried about staying in that location at all. It’s in a nice road. That part of London has some very, very expensive property and is not dodgy at all. It’s literally around the corner from Connaught Square where the ex Prime Minister Tony Blair famously bought an house in retirement and the British celeb marrried to a wealthy banker Claudia Winkleman lives. The thing with London is that as soon as you turn a corner the feel of the area can totally change.
You don’t have to negotiate the busy roads around Marble Arch. Just walk along the quieter back streets to get where you need to be. It’s a lovely area.
I have stayed near Marble Arch around the corner from the Victory Club on Stanhope Place. I know nothing about the Club, but would have no problem going back into the Marble Arch area. There are no problems on the side streets. Oxford St and Edgewater Road are busy on the sidewalks, but no issues at all. Lots of small restaurants and pubs in the area as well as access to grocery stores. Marble Arch is a hub for buses and easy access to the Tube central line.
From the Club it will be easy to walk lots of places - Hyde Park, across the park to South Kensington Museums, Wallace Collection. Fortnum & Masons or Buckingham Palace are 35 minutes in 1 direction while Notting Hill Gate is 35 minutes in the other.
If you like the Club for a base, don't let Marble Arch deter you.
