The Clermont Victoria oozes decadence from the moment you step foot through the Grade II-listed door. The hotel recently had a glamorous makeover, and from the looks of it, it appears to be money well spent. Set in a prime location (right next door to Victoria Station), it’s easy to hop on the tube and explore central London. That said, with the amount on offer in the surrounding area, you may not feel the need.
The staff were one of the highlights of the experience – everyone was so polite and friendly, helping you to feel right at home. That, alongside the hotel’s innate beauty, made what would’ve been a mundane, embarrassingly eventless Thursday night extremely enjoyable. Rooms are cosy and spacious, yet still feel slick and modern thanks to the decorative attention to detail. The hallways are lined with chandeliers, stained-glass windows and decorative panels – every square inch is designed to contribute to the impressive space.
The SOAK is the hotel’s restaurant and it combines British and Asian cuisine to create a fun dining experience. You can mix and match from the restaurant’s menu, which features a collab with Ping Pong, the popular Cantonese chain. Our top tip? Pair the lychee martini with the chicken gyozas. Perfection.
Neighbourhood
The Clermont Victoria is an official partner of the Apollo Theatre, currently home to the iconic musical Wicked. Not only is the theatre a three-minute walk from the hotel, but they also offer a Wicked-themed afternoon tea to indulge in before heading down to the show. One tube stop away from Victoria is Green Park, home to the one and only Buckingham Palace. If you’re lucky, you might catch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, which usually happens around 10.45 am. Around Victoria, there are some great food spots to try, including Muse, Lorne and A Wong.
Nearby:
1. Apollo Theatre London: A Grade II listed West End Theatre home to Wicked.
2. The Bath House: A quirky Russian Banya spa hidden in a Belgravia basement.
3. Westminster Cathedral: The largest Catholic church in England and Wales and the seat of the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster.